H&R Topper Mod

[Matt.Salmons]

Morning Gents,

I bought a H&R Topper 158 12 ga from a friend of mine. It had a bulge in the barrel just above 18" so it was prime for modifications. I bought it for $20 as a project gun. I sawed down the barrel with no problem and it still shoots quite well. It has a detent in the fore stock, so it's pretty old, and it shows. The wood is so dry and brittle that it just cracks and breaks constantly. The fore-stock had split and been repaired before, but I drilled out the stripped screw holes and put in dowel inserts to keep the detent attached. I repaired and varnished it so I think it's good to go. I sawed the butt stock and removed it to re-finish. I'm pretty sure I didn't put enough pressure on the bolt to bend it, but the "Tang Screw" (280620B) is bent and busted the butt-stock on the way out. I've glued the butt-stock back together, and plan on continuing with my restoration of that, but I need a new bolt. Not only is it bent, but now the threads are all boogered up.

My question is:

Does anyone know the specs of the Tang Screw, or know where I can find them? I'm hoping I might be able to buy a single bolt at a Lowes for a couple bucks, rather than spending more than 50% of the purchase price one one bolt. Any advice to get me headed in the right direction?

Thanks,
-M

"DON'T PANIC"

[smokinjoe]

The newer stock bolt is a standard 3/8"-24x 4" fine thread cap screw. Don't know about the older ones. Wouldn't cost much to try it.

[Matt.Salmons]

Great. I'll give it a shot. Atleast now I've got a starting point. Hopefully I didn't bugger up the female threads removing it and can get this puppy back together. Thanks!

[Shenandoah]

Matt - Welcome to the MO site from west Texas. If you have the capability to post pictures remember we like seeing other guys projects. Shenandoah