[bittwiddler]

I've had this extra backplate / grip laying around for quite a while and I was finally going to clean it up but I cannot seem to get the buffer tube screw out. I've tried many things and I've even managed to bend the screw bit on my impact screwdriver trying to get it to move. Any suggestions how I can get this thing apart?

 

[Crankfire Systems]

I've had this extra backplate / grip laying around for quite a while and I was finally going to clean it up but I cannot seem to get the buffer tube screw out. I've tried many things and I've even managed to bend the screw bit on my impact screwdriver trying to get it to move. Any suggestions how I can get this thing apart?

Been there and done, that as it were. More than likely what you've got is the "Spring Loaded Detent Pin" that locks into the grooves in the buffer plug has rusted in the locked position. There will be so much rust formed in and around the little spring under the pin that it cannot move down to let the plug turn. If you have the patience to fiddle with it: Clamp the backplate in a vise so the buffer points straight up, and heat around the plug area, not too hot or your fiber discs will die, and flood the thread with WD-40 or better yet Kroil or Screw Loose penetrating oil. Use your Impact driver to "Shock the plug alternately in both directions" Keep repeating this drill until the plug will move just a little. Reposition the bakplate in the vise with the buffer angled up a little from the horizontal, repeat the heating, oiling, shocking and use the little plastic tube to squirt the oil into the bottom groove "6 O-clock" in the plug. this is a straight shot to get the juice into the detent plunger hole. From here it's just a matter of "Luck" but most will finally work loose and come apart. The "Fail Safe" option is to make a Spade Backplate out of it. Cutting the pistol grip off allows you to dig whats left of the pin out of the buffer tube housing and let the plug turn. You can always trade it for a good pistol grip unit, to someone that wants a set of spades.

The short formula would be: A little heat, Lots of Patience, PLENTY of oil, and more cussing than you ever heard!!!!!!

HTH
Emory Jones

 

[Starvingboy]

Worked for me

I took a piece of flat stock, and notched it to fit. Worked like a HUGE screwdrive/prybar. It was tough the first time, but now it just unscrews easily. Something you might try is a tire iron. Some have a big flatblade on one end.

 

[Luke]

Sears sells a drag link socket set(the set is relatively inexpensive and you could only buy the one size you need for even less money) and one of those fits the width of the slot(not the length, it is smaller) of the screw slot perfectly. I have removed(Hold it in vise clamped between wood to protect it) numerous back plate screws very easily without damaging the slot at all. Because your long(leverage is a good part of the secret) handled socket driver plus totally filling in the width of the slot makes it a no-brainer! Someone else here gave me this great idea.

 

[bittwiddler]

Thanks for the tips. I did try to heat it some and let a liitle WD40 sit in there for the last week. I'll give it a try tomorrow with the impact wrench in both directions and see if that will work something loose. Glad this is only a "spare" handle that I will use when I don't want the shoulder stock

 

[Luke]

Harborfreight has a four piece set of drag link sockets(I think a half inch drive) for under $10. This makes the pistle grip screw removal process an easy sure thing that does "bugger" the slot on the screw.

 

[TiredIron]

I had six of these dirty, and a little rusty rear grip plates that all had the plugs and buffer discs in them. Every one of them were pretty much stuck like yours. I Kroil'd them a couple of times over a week or two. Then I took a
"Impact Driver"....these things sell for about $12-15 dollars and usually come in a Blue metal case with four bits that fit them. You insert the largest flat bit and insert in the Grip Plug Slot and gently smack with a hammer. You get the left/Right torque (shock like a impact wrench) while being driven into the slot.
Long story short....it worked perfect....removed all six plugs and didn't booger up the Plug Slot at all. I've had this "Impact Driver" for 30 years and it has been indispensable in odd situations like this......
TiredIron

 

[HottAK47]

All good advise but the best is "use draglink socket". I believe in using a screwdriver that fits the slot and a bullet that is slightly larger than needed.