On Sat, 9 Feb 2013 18:41:09 -0700, "WW"
wrote:

I figure to get three or four studs; it's a very short run of stairs.
And yes, I'll be a lot happier if I get a nice long screw to groan
it's way in all the way.

Greg...Wax the screws and the go in easy. WW

I always drill pilot holes for railing hardware rather than risk a
screw breaking at the wrong time.

--
Newman's First Law:
It is useless to put on your brakes when you're upside down.
--Paul Newman