Drill & Tap 1903A3 receiver

[Johnny Peppers]

I sure hate to tell the gunsmith that what he has been doing for so long doesn't really work. As to the nitric acid, there is an ammonium nitrate plant built in WWII near the same town that has a huge nitric acid plant. Nitric acid is not hard to come by.
How about pure bromine to kill moles. Just a few drops in their tunnel and they are all gone. There are three bromine plants in the area.
By the way, I don't drill and tap anything.

[bordercav]

What differences do you note in the newer Redfield bases that one should stay away from? Just curious about your observation. Thanks!

[Chuckindenver]

heres my observations, on the different bases.
the older Redfield bases, in the cardboard boxes.
are the exact same dems as the early 1940,s to50,s GI style bases, as well as the GI bases.
the burris base, isnt even close to the same holes, have no idea what was being done with that mess, doesnt close around the rear sight base as well.
the Leupold base, is close, looks nice, too round on the edges, but the holes are off as well, and uses smaller 6/48 screws.
lasty.
the POS China made Redfield bases. are straight, and dont fit the receiver right, so the front hole must be modified to sit flat on the receiver.
the holes are off, just enough so it wont fit in the original A4 holes.
if you open the holes so they will move, you can make them work.
they never sit right, and when you tighten the screws, the base binds on the screws, then looks twisted.
when Redfield closed all the rights and name were picked up by a company that has the scopes and mounts made in China.
the Gibbs base, has the same issues. if you look at the repro A4,s close the mount doesnt fit right, even with shims.
iv installed a few China made A3 bases, and all gave me fits, if i did it the way its supposed to be, then the base wouldnt sit right on the rifle.
if i worked the dovetail on the base, opened the holes a bit, then the base will fit better, and hold zero {maybe}
the original A3 A4 JR base had a slight bend or curv so it would fit the slight off set of an A3 receiver, if you look at one with the rear sight removed, it sits a bit off to the right, not much, but just a bit, likely to work with the cut off switch.
if you drill the rear hole dead center like your supposed to with a non redfield base, it wont fit right on the ring...
confused??me too.

[bordercav]

I see what you mean. The chinese Redfield base I have just doesn't seem to sit flat on the receiver ring, the curve of the base is tighter than the ring and it makes contact on both sides but not in the middle. I understand now that Redfield doesn't supervise the production as much as sold the name, but not the quality. Thanks for the heads up, know where I might find an older base?

[JGaynor]

[QUOTE=bordercav;79395]I see what you mean. The chinese Redfield base I have just doesn't seem to sit flat on the receiver ring, the curve of the base is tighter than the ring and it makes contact on both sides but not in the middle. I understand now that Redfield doesn't supervise the production as much as sold the name, but not the quality. Thanks for the heads up, know where I might find an older base?[/QUOTE

You know if you are putting this on an A4 it may be moot since virtually all of them had shims under the front of the base anyway.

Sometimes the older style mounts show up on ebay. Other than that prowl the parts dealers at gunshows and if there are any left in your area the older gunshops. Occasionally packages get a little dirty and shop worn and people look right past them. Inside the box the item may still be brand new.

Regards,

Jim

[bordercav]

Actually it's a sporterized 03A3 SC. I'd like to ditch the Weaver rings and go with the Redfield 1 piece. I suppose I'll have to keep my eyes out for one at the next gun show. Thanks!

[Chuckindenver]

the base will sit off the one side a bit at the rear, but should sit flat on the ring.
the China made bases just dont fit right, shims or not.
let me know how Drilling that SC reciever works out:}

[bordercav]

Fortunately the Weaver mount on the rear of the receiver was offset by a gunsmith who knew what he was doing. I assume that won't present too much of a problem mounting a Redfield Base if I can find one. Thanks!

[Rick H.]

I realize this is an outdated thread, but none-the-less quite interesting. What ever happened to this project???? Inquiring minds want to know.....Rick

[snell]

I'm especially pleased to stumble across this thread. I picked up a sporterized A3 awhile back for the CMP sniper match that had Weaver rings mounted. I was dismayed when I found the rear sight hole had been drilled a bit off.



It produced an offset scope mount by this much



I'd be very interested in chuckindenver's thoughts on the likelyhood of a successful mounting using this hole.

Art