Is milling an extra slot in an XS LeverRail a big deal?

[DarkSyd]

I've got a Marlin 1895 Dark with the factory rail...appears to be an XS LeverRail.

The problem I've got is that I picked up a 3x prism scope and just discovered that, between the crosspins and lugs on the mount, I need 6 contiguous slots in order to mount it.

I've only got 5 at the location I want to put it...meaning the scope is in more of a scout mount location at this point. It kinda works, but I'd rather it was about 3" closer.

If I removed the rear ghost ring, it looks like there is plenty of space to mill the one additional slot needed.

Does that sound like a big deal?

Cheers
DS

 

[Fargone4sure]

Should be easy peasy. A milling machine would be best, but I suspect you could cut it with a file.

 

[DarkSyd]

Glad to hear

That's pretty much what I thought, but I hate to make assumptions about the ease of things outside of my skillset.

Cheers!
DS

 

[Brassman66]

If you have a Home Shop Machinist Friend with a Milling Machine he might do it just for the Fun of it. A experienced Guy with File (they used to call it a German Shaper) can cut the Slot too, but if you don't know what you are doing it likely ends up less then perfect.

The milling part is easy, setting it up takes time that is why Machine Shops have to charge accordingly.

Cheers

 

[Butcherbill]

Should be easy to mill it out, if you’re a fairly hands on person some careful layout and filing will be just as good.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Should be easy to mill it out, if you’re a fairly hands on person some careful layout and filing will be just as good.

And admiring your handy word with a Beer after it is done will be Oh so tasty and satisfying ..
Rob

 

[DarkSyd]

And admiring your handy word with a Beer after it is done will be Oh so tasty and satisfying ..
Rob

Ha, indeed!

It would only need to accommodate one of the crosspins and not any of the lugs, so I probably could take a swing at it myself

 

[Butcherbill]

And admiring your handy word with a Beer after it is done will be Oh so tasty and satisfying ..
Rob

Agreed, it’s always more satisfying when you can do it yourself.

 

[bearhunter]

If you're at all handy with hand tools, you should be able to file a slot, where needed in about fifteen minutes. CAREFULLY OF COURSE. That rail is made of aluminum and files very easily

 

[Potashminer]

The most critical will be the front of the slot - sights, etc. have inertia to stay still while the rifle recoils underneath - so the effect is that the scope and mounts want to move forward, relative to the rifle - have never tried to equalize 6 slots so each will bear equally, but it is the front faces of the slots that do the "work", so that position is the most critical. That front face of the slot is also the one that gets pounded out if the clamps are loose.

 

[DarkSyd]

The scope mount isn't actually 6 full lugs...just needs 6 slot...the crosspins clamping it are at slots 1 and 6, and there are two lugs at positions 3 and 4...so whatever I do shouldn't actually be a bearing slot...just a clamping slot.