H-Lux Malcom 8x Marine Sniper Replica Scope

I have a M1903 mixmaster with a pre-war C-stock that I am seriously thinking about drilling for a Unertl 1.25 or possibly a Hi-Lux 8x Marine Sniper replica.

I have read a lot of reviews of the Hi-lux Marine Sniper scope. The consensus seems to be that the glass is excellent, but the scope is a good 2 inches shorter than the original and several folks have been less than satisfied with the mounts. I am wondering whether the mounts are removable. Someone on another forum said that you have to disassemble the scope to slide the mounts off and that it is gas filled and that this could be a problem. Does anyone know the answer? The reason I want to know if the mounts are removable is that I may want to go with this scope and replace the mounts with a set manufactured by D.Z. Arms, or find a set of original Unertl mounts.

Before you say, "why don't you just buy an original Unertl scope." That's what I would prefer, but can't find a 1.25 Unertl in 8x for less than $1,000 or, right now, find one at all. Higher power Unertls are not legal for the CMP vintage sniper competition.