
Hi all, I have a newer model 1894 side eject lever action. I had a scope mounted that I recently removed. When I replaced the top mount plug screws into the breech, the two plugs screws bottom out causing the breech bolt to bind. I backed the plugs out until they were flush with the top of the breech bolt. I did use Permatex on the threads. If anybody is familiar with the plug screws, I would appreciate any thoughts…thanks.
G squared said
Hi all, I have a newer model 1894 side eject lever action. I had a scope mounted that I recently removed. When I replaced the top mount plug screws into the breech, the two plugs screws bottom out causing the breech bolt to bind. I backed the plugs out until they were flush with the top of the breech bolt. I did use Permatex on the threads. If anybody is familiar with the plug screws, I would appreciate any thoughts…thanks.
Two options:
1) buy shorter screws
2) face the bottom of the existing screws until they are short enough to relieve the binding.
November 7, 2015

One of the handiest things in my parts collection is the Pachmayr Master Gunsmith Screw Kit. It is mainly useful for installing and removing scopes and mounts on modern rifles but I bet the screws you need are in that assortment.
Mike
G squared said
Hi all, I have a newer model 1894 side eject lever action. I had a scope mounted that I recently removed. When I replaced the top mount plug screws into the breech, the two plugs screws bottom out causing the breech bolt to bind. I backed the plugs out until they were flush with the top of the breech bolt. I did use Permatex on the threads. If anybody is familiar with the plug screws, I would appreciate any thoughts…thanks.
Mike is right about the utility of the Pachmayr screw kit – it’s hard to do without it. I’m not sure what help you want, however. The plug screws are most likely size 6-48, which was the standard thread for scope mounting holes for many years. A few rifle manufacturers went to 8-48, but Winchester rifles drilled and tapped for scope mounts use 6-48.
It’s not uncommon to see plug screws that bottom out too low, usually because their beveled heads are too thin and don’t stop the screw or their shafts are overlong. The only purpose of a plug screw is to protect the threads of the hole and keep gunk out of it.
It sounds like you are concerned because you can’t tighten down the plug screws without binding the breech bolt. It isn’t necessary for them to be tight as long as the heads are seated in the holes and don’t protrude from the outer surface of the receiver. If they will seat and the tips don’t protrude to bind the bolt, threadlocker will hold them adequately in place, which is what I think you’ve done. If that’s the case, you’re good.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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