Take-Down Screw Will Not Budge!

[fatcatbestcat]

Hello all,

For some reason today, it occurred to me that I hadn't taken my Model 81 down - I was thinking about what case to get for it, and probably should measure it end to end disassembled.

The trouble starts here; forend comes off nice and easy. I found that a Canadian penny (way thicker than an American one!) is the exact perfect size and shape to take the forend screw out without annihilating the slot or the wood around the escutcheon. Very nice! However, when I go to turn the lever attached to the takedown screw, the thing will not move at all, whatsoever, in either direction. I'm assuming it's normal righty-tighty, lefty-loosey and not some asinine left-hand thread.

I did try using a jack handle for leverage but it's seriously so stuck that the lever just bent. I had to bend it back. Currently I'm soaking it in some penetrating oil for a day to see if it loosens up.

I suppose it's possible that nobody has ever broken the thing in half? The bore is so good so as to make me think the thing was rarely shot.

[54bullseye]

Try a little heat from a heat gun I had to do that on one. Good luck ! John Taylor

[9.3shooter]

Also after a good soak, and some heat, give it a couple of good whacks on the end with a block of wood, axe handle or similar to wake it up.

[1913Model8]

Kroil to the rescue!

[Roger]

Sir, I agree with all of the above. But a careful whack with a rubber mallet might be necessary.By the way I have bent one of these levers myself with a rubber mallet . Just saying, work very carefully.
Roger

[fatcatbestcat]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Soaking it in Kroil for a day hasn't really loosened it up much. I'm realizing I really ought to get a bench vise for this sort of thing - trying to hold the rifle up, apply heat and apply pressure to the handle all at the same time and safely isn't working out.

I'll have to get back to this after a quick tool shopping session.