Oh the Horror! -STOP using BLUE Loctite!

Gents, I can't do anything but laugh. I was asked if I would be interested in purchasing a Remington SPS in 308Win. Well, I couldn't pass up the price. This rifle has obviously not been fired much. There is little to no wear anywhere, not even on the bolt. The rifle even has the factory advertisement sticker still on the stock. He told me he was just not happy with it and couldn't get it to shoot.

I did come with a Midwest Industries Short Action Rail 6061 Aluminum Picatinny. Now, it's not that I don't trust others who mount things on rifles, well M-A-Y-B-E it really don't trust, I guess, but if there is a scope or a scope mount on a rifle, I always remove and remount, just so I know its done right.

WELL.... the minute it started to turn off the screws on this mount, I knew I was experiencing something... Some thine Not-So-Great... I've seen a lot, and while I have seen worse things, this kinda is up there in the 'NO REALLY?!, WTF" category.

I don't think I have EVER seen so much BLUE Loctitie on a mount in my life. Was the person doing this string to bed the scope mount with Blue Loctitie. I just don't understand.

Well, this is going to be fun to remove. LOL. It's a good thing I have practice. What is this obsession with Blue loctite in the firearm community on scope mounts? If thread locker needs to be on these parts, it should be 222 or 222MS. And just a dab goes a long way.


Attachment 135318Attachment 135319Attachment 135320

Must have gotten the quart can with the brush.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by usabaker

Now, it's not that I don't trust others who mount things on rifles, well M-A-Y-B-E it really don't trust, I guess, but if there is a scope or a scope mount on a rifle, I always remove and remount, just so I know its done right.

---

Me too. I used to curse the bubba under my breath that mounted before me, until I had a good friend bring over his brand new Remington 783, still in its box, with a scope and rings he wanted me to mount. The mount came already installed from the factory. Screws were either Torx or hex, I don't remember, but the first one required way too much force to remove, and boy ole boy was there a lot of loctite in there. the whole thing was a cruddy mess. I gently heated the others and they came right out with no issues. Underneath the blocks was enough loctite to fill a swimming pool.
I think purple 222 is all that is needed for small screws. Ive seen 242 in kits, and sold on some popular sites without differentiating except for the number.
I'll confess, I've used it (242) on scope mounts when it was all I had and they have easily removed months later to change mounts. The key is to use the right amount. I put a small drop on the wood stick-end of cotton swab, and then touch it to the threads. If your drop runs, you have too much. wipe off and try again. Same amount of 222 does the trick as well. I put neon red tape around the bottle of 271 (or 263) just to be sure I never make that mistake!

I had the same rifle as Bill but .223 and heavy barrel... I didn't use anything to hold the screws. Just tight and shoot. Most times it's an inexperienced shooter doing what and "Old" sweat has advised him. Like this looks to be.

I had the really heavy barrel Remington in .308 and never had anything loosen up on me either.

At least it wasn’t red.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssgross

Me too. I used to curse the bubba under my breath that mounted before me, until I had a good friend bring over his brand new Remington 783, still in its box, with a scope and rings he wanted me to mount. The mount came already installed from the factory. Screws were either Torx or hex, I don't remember, but the first one required way too much force to remove, and boy ole boy was there a lot of loctite in there.

---

I find the opsisite most of the time. The last two Bergara's I bought both had loose scope mounts. But, I replace factory with Leupold mounts most of the time anyhow. LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I didn't use anything to hold the screws. Just tight and shoot.

---

Jim, I'm much the same way. if it is not handy, I don't really mess much with thread lock. But, if it is, I do the same as ssgross and just put a dab of 222MS on the treads using something like a toothpick Leupold does say it is recommended to use Loctie but doesn't say which. I guess they figure people can read the application instructions, r.g., 242 for 1/4" and larger screws... Some of my Leupold mounts came with a Nylok on the screws.

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jakeroub

At least it wasn’t red.

---

Aint' that the truth!.. I've seen that and had to deal with it as well.

Well, I guess y'all are going to jump on me, I've been using red Loctite on firearms (my own) for about 40 years. Ever since I had the scope on a brand new Ruger #1 work loose on a combination Moose/Elk/Grizzly bear hunt I've used it. We always check our zeroes after the rifles have bounced around for hours in the rifle rack as we drove up 4X4 roads to get to where we set up our base camp and after the 3rd or 4th shot of the .338" 300 grain RN max loads it became readily apparent something was wrong, my scope was loose in the rings. My buddy had some red Loctite available which I used sparingly and had no problems with it ever again nor on any other rifle I ever used in on. I guess ignorance is bliss.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sapper740

Well, I guess y'all are going to jump on me, I've been using red Loctite on firearms (my own) for about 40 years.

---

I don't think anyone is going to jump on you for what you do to your own firearms. LOL it's the folks that end up with them and need to remove it ;)

I can't get the front sight on a 1860 Colt to stay put, no matter what grade I put on it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mk VII

I can't get the front sight on a 1860 Colt to stay put, no matter what grade I put on it.

---

The green stuff, 609, is the medium strength "retaining" compound. It can fill small voids, as opposed to thread locker. It works good for worn dovetails for those who do not have the courage to properly fix them with drift and hammer. Many use it on the barrel extension of an AR to fix a sloppy upper receiver, but there are better ways to fix that too. To each their own.

I don't have an 1860 colt at hand. How is the sight installed? My guess would be a shallow dovetail and soldered/brazed on? The green stuff would be considered a temporary expedient fix.

EDIT: your sight should be a press fit. (brass?) you can lightly peen the bottom to increase tension. The green stuff should would work as a temporary fix. Will easily remove with just a little heat (like touching a soldering iron to the sight) when you are ready to do it right.

It was a interference fit in a circular slot along the long axis of the bbl. (3rd-gen Signature series)