Crosman/Anschutz stock screw alternative thoughts

[Desert Drifter]

I recently found a Crosman 3300 aka Anschutz 333 in .177 at a pawn shop.  The barrel, receiver and metal work is excellent.  The stock is scarred but usable.  Here is the problem.  One of the forward stock screws was broken off in screw mount that is welded onto the chamber tube.  I was able to get the broken screw out after a great deal of effort.  Searching the web I can not find the replacement "cheese head" screws and lock washers.

The main action bolt is massive and is located just fore of the trigger.  When the barred action is replaced in the stock with the main bolt secured, there is a slight bit of play of the action in the front of the stock.  What if I was to place small pads of leather, rubber or other suitable material under the receiver to take up the play and have a good snug marriage of the barreled action to the stock secured only by the big action bolt near the trigger?

I'm not looking for accuracy.  Just plinking and minute of vermin and pest accuracy.

Those forward stock screw are quite small and I don't think they were intended or could control recoil but just to center the action in the stock.

Do you think my alternate MacGiver fix would work?  Can you give me a suggestion.  I could drill out the threaded screw holes on the mounts, and tap new threads to match screws that could be found at my local hardware store.

Thanks for helping.

desert drifter

[WildCJ5]

If it were me I would tap the hole and replace with a couple allen head bolts.

Would love to see pictures of the rifle.

[Desert Drifter]

Thanks for your comment WildCJ5, fellow jeeper here '15 JKU Willys.

What I have read on web is that these screws breaking and also the welds on the screw brackets breaking is a systemic problem. 

The original screws are too long.  They go through the bracket and continue until they are bearing down on chamber tube or housing.  I can see how the welds on the bracket could be pried off easily by over tightening the screws.

I would like to avoid this problem all together.  Just looking for some feedback possibility of having just one massive bolt to bed the barrel action.

Maybe later this evening I'll take some pics and post them.

'drif

[Desert Drifter]

It is a Crosman 6300 not a 3300.  I would like to apologize for submitting the above posts.  I was thinking the problem would be much more involved that it actually was.   After the broken screw was removed from the bracket it was a very simple fix.  I took the good screw I had down to the hardware store where they had a display of all screws.  The screw was a M4 x .7 pitch x 12 mm.  The 2 cost me $0.90.  They screwed right in without any issues.

So.  For a total of $50.90 it looks like I've got a decent shooter.   As promised, here are some pics with new screws in place.

I couldn't get the attachments to post.  Sorry.

'drif

[AmBraCol]

Interesting, never heard of them before. Crosman's got the manual and EVP on their site - but no parts available from Crosman.  So, now that you've got it shooting - how do you like it?

[Desert Drifter]

Interesting, never heard of them before. Crosman's got the manual and EVP on their site - but no parts available from Crosman.  So, now that you've got it shooting - how do you like it?

By the looks of the wear of the metal at the pivot areas I don't think the rifle has been shot much.  I've put maybe 30 pellets through it.  It has a wonderful trigger and sights.  It hits very hard in my pellet trap and there is some noise of the spring expanding.  It is shooting low right now.  But that is just a matter of sighting it in.  I'm happy with it.  I'm thinking about maybe refinishing the stock.

Thanks for your comment.

'drif

[AmBraCol]

Glad to hear it's found a happy home.     I've refinished a few stocks over the years, on a keeper rifle it makes a lot of sense.  And on a mistreated or neglected rifle as well. Here's a left handed Tyrolean stock from a FWB 300S I redid this year.

[Desert Drifter]

Nice work.  I've always had a fondness for Tyrolean style of stocks.  I have built several muzzle loading firearms in the past.  They are simple and straight forward.  I wish I had the equipment and expertise to build a nice stock for this rifle.  One method I used on muzzle loading stocks and tomahawks is aqua fortis.  It is a method of bringing out the figure and color of the wood.  It is done before the actual oil finish is applied.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your work.

'drif