Want to provide an update on my gunsmith post.

I sent the gun to Art's Gun Shop in Missouri, and they had the screw out in 3 minutes.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I meant to ask you yesterday while you were here how it went.

Did they have a special trick to getting it out or just drill it out?
Glad it worked out.

I like to know how they did it.

I talked to Art, who owns the place, and all he said was it took 3 minutes to get out. So, my assumption is no drilling involved. He didn't have much to say and sounded like he was in a hurry. To get the screw out, fix the trigger reset problem and shipping I'm into it for $140.00.
I'm going to shoot it and enjoy the gun.

I cleaned this up to enable relevant discussion on the follow-up and closure of the issue. Please carry on.

Good deal!

From the serial number, the gun was manufactured in 1979.

Pics

Still think my torque wrench monstrosity would have gotten that sucker out.

Beautiful gun, sir.

Good deal,

I assume the screw was replaced with another flat head screw, from the pictures. Was this to keep it original? Did you consider a Torx or socket cap (Allen)?

I expect getting it repaired where he did the screw is a like for like replacement

Screw was replaced with same Browning screw.

That pretty much sums up my conversations with Art and the work from Art’s shop. It always gets done right, but you never know exactly what they did or why they did it.

They might have gotten lucky using the mill. Put part in mill vise, use quill downpressure to keep bit in screw slot, and turn by hand or with wrench.

Sounds right. They have some trick, but their not sharing.

Three minutes or less? Sounds like impact driver from start to finish IMO.

Do they not make an ease out tool to fit that size screw? I've used an ease out on larger stripped bolts and on a couple where the entire head was twisted off.