Shadow 2 - Mag release screw replacement

[minzukas]

Sheared the teeth of the mag release adjustment screw when trying to adjust release paddle position. Would be pity to replace the whole mag catch because of the damaged screw. Any thoughts on where to find a fitting replacement screw?

[Nick B]

Why not go the source ? CZ-USA .

[minzukas]

Will try. Thank You.

[Stuart]

CZ USA has them
http://shop.cz-usa.com/ProductDetail/309145813008_Magazine-Catch-Screw-Shadow-2


and whole assembly
http://shop.cz-usa.com/ProductDetail/0422005301_Magazine-Catch-Shadow-2

[rhorn67]

I know this thread has been dead for a bit but I experienced the same issue but I may have stripped the screw beyond removing.

I used a T10 bit, heated the screw with a soldering iron then attempted to loosen. I felt what I though was the screw beginning to turn a bit but turned out to be the bit moving within the screw.

Any suggestions on removing the screw at this stage?

[Smokey]

I would have a gunsmith remove it.

[muncie21]

Any suggestions on removing the screw at this stage?

You could center drill the screw and then try a small EZ-out.  Frankly at $35, for the entire assembly I'd just replace the whole thing unless you don't mind tinkering.

[rhorn67]

Agree on ordering a replacement and I did last night. Seems crazy they lock this screw in to this level. I understand the importance of not having the paddle come loose and potentially come off especially in a critical situation but man!

Is my best course of action on the new one to vise it, heat it up and then attempt to remove? This is a standard T10 correct?

[langley1911]

I don't know that there is a best way. Heat is advisable. I've had so much trouble with those screws it's ridiculous. For something that was made to be adjustable they shouldn't be so hard to remove.

I've got shadow 2 mag catches on 3 of my CZs and only one is a Shadow 2. I had my CZ 97 frame notched out by Cajun Gun Works just so I could run the S2 mag catch on it. Also run one on my SP-01 Tactical. I've had to order 2 or 3 replacement mag catches in the last year just because of those bleep tight torx screws stripping out. It is a standard T10 but seems to be held in with some kind of adhesive.

The one on my SP-01 is currently stripped but I'm just running it that way. Was going to replace the button with a Lok G10 to match my grips but I just don't feel like taking my chances on ordering a replacement part. There is no guarantee you won't strip out the replacement even if you heat it up, vice it, and use your best Wiha T10 bit. It's a crap shoot.

[rhorn67]

This started with me simply replacing the magazine release and grips. I thought why not replace the paddle to match the grips....how hard could that possibly be!

Agree no guarantees I wont have the same issue with the second but I am going to give it a shot. I did strip the screw a bit before I stopped and researched this issue to find out what I needed to do to at least give me the best chance I had at breaking it free. Worse case I keep the first one in with a stripped screw and the second becomes a paper weight.

[George16]

I removed and throw away those screws and replaced them with a pair of grade 12.9 M3 x 8 Allen screws from my RC trucks parts bin. Way stronger than those butter soft CZ torx screws.

[rhorn67]

I removed and throw away those screws and replaced them with a pair of grade 12.9 M3 x 8 Allen screws from my RC trucks parts bin. Way stronger than those butter soft CZ torx screws.

Thanks for the sizing on the allen screws. Great idea once the torx are removed. Anything to add for removing the torx screw?

[George16]

An EZ out is your best choice right now. Or take the whole mag release from the gun, and heat it up with a portable butane torch.

[M1A4ME]

Well, if you can do it without damaging the frame....

No pictures so it's hard to "see" how damaged the screw head really is.

Some things I've seen/heard of others doing:
1. take the next sized torx screw bit and use a hammer to tap it into the damaged hole in the screw.  I have done this with allen head and torx screws and gotten messed up screws out.
2. find something you can use (depends on how much damage there is to the screw head) to "fill in" the hole/corners/edges between the screw tip and the hole in the screw, put it over the hole and tap the correct sized torx bit into the hole.  I've used steel wool and aluminum foil both.

One time I even epoxied the bit into the screw with some of that metal repair stuff (can't remember the name of that stuff right now, but it's the stuff they advertise even using to repair busted engine parts.  Just be careful not to get it on the pistol surface.

Be sure to lay the pistol on something firm, but covered with a cloth so you don't damage the frame surface (scratch/gouge) while tapping on the screw to drive it into the screw head.

Good luck with it.

[rhorn67]

Based on all of the suggestions my plan of attack will be....

The screw head is now more a hex then torx after the torx points stripped. a #2 hex has a bit of bite to it when placing it in the head of the screw. I think with some light hammering it will drop a bit further in and have some additional bite on the screw. Will also try to tap it in with some steel wool or foil to make it as tight as possible.

I have the magazine release out and vised. I am going to use a micro torch to heat under the paddle hopefully liquefying the loctite and try to remove the screw.