Removing claw mount bases?

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BadRonald

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I'm looking at buying a rifle that has claw mounts. I'd like to replace the current scope with a different one.
How much of a chore is it to remove the claw mount bases? The front base sits directly on the barrel - I'm not sure how it is attached but I've read they are often soldered on. Is this a worthwhile pursuit or am I better off just passing on the rifle?
 
Sometime they are soldered on, usually with soft solder. Sometimes they are screwed on. Sometimes they are screwed and soldered. Show it to whomever will be doing the work and see what they say.
 
SIGP2101 said:
Why don't you just replace scope? Keep the rings and bases.
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Often the scope has the claws more or less permanently installed and in the case of the front claw mount on the barrel it requires a lot of money to replace anything. Claw mounts had a purpose for a few about 100 years ago but modern systems are so much better today.
 
Found out from the seller, bases are sweated on. He said it costs about $1500 to install mounts like that, and it would be a shame to remove them. Anyone know roughly how much it would cost to remove them? I appreciate the quality of the work, but if there is a problem with the scope down the road I'd like to be able to remove it.
 
BadRonald said:
Found out from the seller, bases are sweated on. He said it costs about $1500 to install mounts like that, and it would be a shame to remove them. Anyone know roughly how much it would cost to remove them? I appreciate the quality of the work, but if there is a problem with the scope down the road I'd like to be able to remove it.
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Again, why can't you just replace scope if there is problem with the scope down the road? I assume it is older scope.
Removing them is not problem at all but you will have to install blanks and maybe refinish metal around. Maybe refinish entire rifle, what do you mean by "sweated on", do you have pics.
 
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How are the rings attached to the scope?
I am assuming the front ring is 1/2 of a ring and soldered to the front scope bell or
the scope has an integral rail on the bottom that the claws attach to... ?
A couple of quality pictures would probably save a lot of typing.
 
SIGP2101 said:
Again, why can't you just replace scope .
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Sorry guys I don't have any good pics of the mounts yet so I will describe best I can. The rifle is a Sako AIII. The bases are soldered to the rifle. Rear base is on the rear dovetail, front base is on the barrel. The scope, a 2-7x Pecar, is mounted in full rings (front ring is not a half ring). The rear ring is around the tube, the front ring is around the bell. I'm not sure if the rings are soldered to the scope.

I am assuming that it would be quite challenging to find a modern scope that will fit the existing rings. The Pecar that is mounted is quite long compared to more modern optics. I would need to find a scope that has the same objective diameter and is able to fit the current spacing between the rings. At best this would limit my options, at worst I may not find anything suitable at all. Also, from what I understand, finding new rings to fit the bases is not a simple matter and would likely require some very costly custom work. For these reasons, it seems like removing the claw bases entirely is the simplest and least expensive option if I wanted to change the scope. I may be wrong here, but this is my best guess based on what I have learned so far.

That being said, the rifle affixed to these mounts was too good to pass up, so I decided to take it. Hopefully the existing scope is problem free and will suit my needs. I would assume the Pecar must be a quality optic, considering that someone was willing to pay that much money to semi-permanently attach it to their rifle.
 
Yes, fitting/refitting the claws mounts is a big job. I certainly would not remove them and buy a new scope because the present scope may fail some day... Pecar scopes are excellent quality and will probably outlive you. If it does break some day then make a decision...
 
If you ever decide to detach bases keep all components together (bases, mount, rings and/or scope). They are custom fit to each-other and individual components are worthless.
Write down the action type they came from and store it all together if you ever decide to sell.
 
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