Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

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Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by firstguns » 08 Jul 2020, 11:03 am

So I've got one of the old Howa 1500s with flathead action screws rather than the newer ones with Torx. I want to replace the flatheads because they're starting to burr, and because they're harder to properly torque (not having screwdriver bits for my torque wrench). Only problem is, I bought the gun second hand, so I don't have a manual, and I'm really struggling to find proper measurements that would allow me to order them online.

What have other people done when searching for replacement action screws? I can find some online, but they're $20 a screw for a second hand piece... That's not happening. Do speciality fastener retailers usually sell something that works? Do I just pull the screws out and head down to a retailer?
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by TassieTiger » 08 Jul 2020, 12:09 pm

If it were me...Take to local gunsmith - he will have plenty screws he will sell you,?your likely to get a Few good tidbits of info and you’ve started to develop a relationship for future...
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by firstguns » 08 Jul 2020, 1:03 pm

I'm fortunate enough that local guy knows me passably well - have transfered 2 guns thru him, plus scope, then reasonable amounts of ammo. He at least knows my face to say hi. That's not a bad idea tho. Just take the rifle in one day you reckon? Is it something he'll sell for a couple bucks a piece?
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by TassieTiger » 08 Jul 2020, 1:17 pm

Are you talking shop or Smith? The smith will have screws of hundreds of firearms readily available - is e left them to be pretty cheap - he too, wants a relationship thst might end in business...(he too?...I wonder - is there a she- gun smith In au). Sorry...off topic, curious tho. )
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CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
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Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by firstguns » 08 Jul 2020, 1:33 pm

The shop, but they've got a smith attached? Not sure if that's someone they send off-site to tho? There's certainly an area behind the counter that looks like it's a smith, work bench and boxes of spare bits and bobs laying around.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by Blr243 » 08 Jul 2020, 1:39 pm

Trip to the smith sounds like a good plan. I own and keep in my glove compartment a thread pitch Guage and a good pair of specs so I can identify stuff if I have to
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by bladeracer » 08 Jul 2020, 1:54 pm

Have you asked your dealer if he can order you some new OEM screws? I have been pleasantly surprised occasionally ordering OEM parts, they don't always cost big dollars.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by firstguns » 08 Jul 2020, 3:44 pm

bladeracer wrote:Have you asked your dealer if he can order you some new OEM screws? I have been pleasantly surprised occasionally ordering OEM parts, they don't always cost big dollars.


Oh yeah? I kinda just assumed they'd be at least $20 a screw, given the used ones I found online were at that rate.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by bladeracer » 08 Jul 2020, 3:51 pm

firstguns wrote:
bladeracer wrote:Have you asked your dealer if he can order you some new OEM screws? I have been pleasantly surprised occasionally ordering OEM parts, they don't always cost big dollars.


Oh yeah? I kinda just assumed they'd be at least $20 a screw, given the used ones I found online were at that rate.


Just like used car parts, the prices are often blown out to cover the labour and handling.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by bladeracer » 08 Jul 2020, 5:37 pm

Just had a look online, Howa seems to refer to them as the front and rear trigger guard screws.

But they appear to just be standard screws.
Do you know what size they are?
Take them into a fastener shop and see if they can match them with Torx socket-head screws. I just grabbed the first one from Google - can't see Torx socket-heads there but you could email them.
https://www.unitedfasteners.com.au/stainless-steel-fasteners/socket-head-cap-screws/button-socket-head-cap-screws-g304-g316
https://www.unitedfasteners.com.au/hexagon-socket-screws/socket-head-cap-screws-106/button-socket-head-cap-screws
https://www.unitedfasteners.com.au/hexagon-socket-screws/socket-head-cap-screws-106/socket-shoulder-screws

Or Ebay - https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/26217/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=torx+screw&_sop=15
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by Pudlux » 17 Jul 2020, 8:12 pm

+1 for Bladeracers advice. I recently bought High Tensile Torx action screws for my Rem 700 from our local Ultimate Fastener shop. Cost $2 for 6 screws. Just had to cut to size. Way cheaper than LGS sourced OEM screws.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by Oldbloke » 18 Jul 2020, 2:31 pm

+1 Bladeracers advice. Local fasteners, nuts and bolts specialist.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by adamjp » 20 Jul 2020, 6:14 pm

Howa action screws are the standard M6 thread.

The tricky bit will be finding screw heads with a Torx socket in them. Plenty of bolt heads with that (common on Japanese/Euro engines), but not the thinner screw head.
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Re: Replacing Action Screws on a Howa 1500

Post by bladeracer » 20 Jul 2020, 6:19 pm

adamjp wrote:Howa action screws are the standard M6 thread.

The tricky bit will be finding screw heads with a Torx socket in them. Plenty of bolt heads with that (common on Japanese/Euro engines), but not the thinner screw head.


If you use stainless you could use socket-head screws and grind the head down to whatever profile you want.
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