2240 breech screw

[stevecurr]

 Tried to remove the breech screw on my 2240 today. Seemed very tight. The head of the screw stripped out where the tiny allen wrench fits in it. Any suggestions on getting the screw out. Is Crosman the only place to get a new one. Haven't seen them listed any where. Steve

[bgmcgee]

It's not a common size,4-48 is the thread size. Try clamping the breech down and if you have some torx bits use the one that fits in the allen hole. Sometimes this works. Check eBay for accustoms.  He sometimes has some better ones listed.

[quickster47 †]

Plastic breech or metal?

I have some stainless slotted screws.  If you want a couple send me your address in a PM.

Carl

[mudduck48]

QUACK!

[BillK]

Steve, many of us have done the same.   Now I use the slotted breech screws from AC Customs.  You can't have too many.  Plus he is a good guy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SS-Slotted-Breech-Screw-for-a-crosman-2240-2250-1377-1322-2300-pc77-22xx-13xx-/221888318704?hash=item33a9930cf0:g:LogAAOxyQj9RO-C2

[stevecurr]

Thanks for the help guys. Carl, It is a metal breech. Thanks for the offer but I have ordered a half dozen from A C Customs. I will most likely wait till I have new screws in hand before attempting to get this old one out.  Steve

[DaveB50]

I have drilled the head off the screw and then after taking the breech off, there was just enough sticking out to unscrew it by putting a thumb on it and turning counter clockwise.

[stevecurr]

Hope to avoid the drill. It will be a last resort. Don't want to take a chance of damaging the breech. It cost more than the gun.

[DaveB50]

If you use a drill bit slightly bigger than the thread shaft, the head will spin with the bit when it comes off. I've done this twice without any breech damage.

[stevecurr]

Thanks Dave. New screws should be here Friday. Planning on fixing this over the week end.  Steve

[Tater]

Hope to avoid the drill. It will be a last resort. Don't want to take a chance of damaging the breech. It cost more than the gun.

The same thing happened to me last year. I made a thread about it and got some great advice.
I bought an individual left-handed drill bit and it worked great. Just use low speed on the drill in reverse or turn by hand. Similar to this one, but I only bought one:  http://www.harborfreight.com/left-hand-drill-bit-set-13-pc-61686.html
Just google left-handed drill bit.

I removed the screw with out damaging the steel breech, I immediately upgraded the screw and no issue since.

[Flex]

Tried to remove the breech screw on my 2240 today. Seemed very tight. The head of the screw stripped out where the tiny allen wrench fits in it. Any suggestions on getting the screw out. Is Crosman the only place to get a new one. Haven't seen them listed any where. Steve

It might be too late since it sounds like the damage to the head of the screw is already done but in the future, IIRC, it's important to remove the larger rear breech screw first when disassembling and put the tiny forward breech screw in first when reassembling. If the holes in the steel breech are the tiniest bit off, enough longitudinal stress is generated to make the screws difficult to turn. If the smaller (more subject to damage) screw is placed first and removed last it's less likely to be wedged tight. The larger rear breech screw is more able to tolerate the stress and the larger socket head can handle the torque. I've had my airguns apart and back together several times (if not many times!) and I've yet to have an issue with the front breech screw. To be sure tho, I do have a few replacements (stock ones from Crosman) in my spare parts box  . You didn't describe the order of screw removal in your OP but this just might have been the issue. Maybe not
Flex

[stevecurr]

I came to that conclusion a couple of nights ago as I was working on my 1377. Was have alignment problems with the small screw. I'm sure that's what I done to my 2240 by trying to remove the small screw first.  Steve

[CraigH]

The process described by Flex is generally the best off and on method.  Once the hex key in well set into the screw, I also grasp the breech and air tube with my middle finger through the trigger guard and squeeze very firmly prior to first (or final if installing) turning of the small screw.  There is some additional tension on it due to the transfer port seal.

[Colt25]

Before loosening the screw push down on the breech as hard as you can, reliving some pressure from it. I've had to use dremel cutoff wheels to slot those screws before - not fun!