Scope and Rail Installation: Should a Professional do it?

rxanderq

rxanderq

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I have a Ruger 10/22 Carbine and a cheap Bushnell Rimefire scope I would like to install on it.
While I have never done any work on firearms before, I do have a pretty good idea how to install the scope and it does not appear to be too complicated of a procedure.
(Correct me if I'm wrong, procedure is just installing the rails, and the the rings and scope.)
However, I do not have a firearm holder or any other special equipment, only screw drivers and hex keys.
Would CGN recommend I attempt the installation myself or take it into a local gun shop? A nearby store quoted me $40CAD to do the installation.
 
Do it yourself.
You cannot do any harm unless you are really ham handed with the screwdriver and strip the receiver threads.
Remove the plug screws. Clean the threads in the receiver. Put the base on, with the screws all loose. Tighten them up evenly. Firm but not killer tight. Make sure the bolt moves freely - if a screw is too long, it will foul the bolt.
Install the bottom half of the rings. Lay the scope in place, install the ring caps with the screws loose. Shift the scope around until the eye relief is suitable, and the crosshairs are plumb. Tighten the screws. Zigzag around the screws, tightening them a bit at a time. Once again, tighten firmly, but not aggressively.
There are those who use a medium strength thread locker; I've not found it to be necessary.
 
Check out a Youtube video (NSSF have some good ones), put a towel on the table and try it yourself. Be careful not to over torque any of the screws. If everything goes good you've just saved yourself $40. If you get half done and find it overwhelming you can still bring it to your local gun shop. All the best.
 
thousands of us ( the 10/22 has been around since about '64)have done it with nothing more than PROPER FITTING screwdrivers - you just need a TRUE HORIZONTAL line to level the scope, and RIMFIRE rings- ruger already suppies the base, so it's just a matter of undoing the dummies, putting the base on, and LOCTITING the screws- just make sure it's square with the receiver- the rest goes together pretty easy-
 
Some great encouragement here.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Not a game getter so go have some fun.
They are small screws, so go easy on them.
Worse case scenario?
You get to try it again.
Practice makes more better, aye?
I made some plywood inserts for my vise
and have a bubble wrap envelope folded and
shoved in there.
I have no issues clamping any of my barrels
or wood stocks in there.
Just go easy and if you hit a stumbling block,
hay, we're here for yu'all........... :D
 
just want to say when I bought my first one they installed it becauce I bought the gun and scope there. They said not to put loctite on the threads. The screws kept coming loose which of cource threw the scope off. I Took them out and put blue loctite on them nothing has moved after thousands of rounds.
 
A few concerns:

  1. Other than using the proper screwdriver bit, are there any other precautions i could take to avoid stripping the screws?
  2. The screws coming loose is a concern, however, I have heard screw sealant can drip and damage the chamber. How many of you have applied Blue Loctite onto your rail screws?
  3. How should I clean the threads in the receiver. Normally, I would have used WD40 and a Q-Tip, but I'm not sure for a firearm.
  4. Since I do not have a vise, I will be doing hte installation with the firearm on its side. Could this cause and problems?
  5. I do not have a small level that I can place on top of of the scope to level it. I have one ordered. For now what would be my best temporary work around?

Thanks!

Here is the scope I purchased
 
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Get everything ready before you start and then do a few dry runs. You will quickly realize if you're in over your head.
Clean the screws with alcohol or a parts cleaner - carb cleaner works well. WD40 is actually a lubricant/penetrating fluid.
Use blue loctite if you must but use sparingly. The smallest film will be enough to lock the thread on those small screws.
Use proper fitting screwdrivers or allendrivers - whichever you need.
Don't overtighten because the receiver is aluminum and can strip easily with ham-fistedness.
I think if you do this once you will realize how easy it is. Regards d
 
So I made the attempt to do the installation myself yesterday. The process took about 2 hours. Here is the end result.
XvzbL.jpg


Everything seemed to have went well except mounting the bottom half of the rings. They seem to be a bit off. Please see the left side of the ring, it does not sit flat against the rail like the right side once i tighten it.
XScDm.jpg
oDQKn.jpg


When I was sighting the scope, I put the scope backwards and looked through it, the scope points far to the right than centre aligned with the front sight. I tried adjusting it but I'm pretty sure the scope is still point a bit to the right. I assume in order to fix this I would have to fix the ring mounts, correct?
 
Does the rail or base have a double dovetail? I have seen some of the rails with 2 dovetails - one set slightly narrower and set above the lower to take 3/8 size rings. Your rings appear to be engaging the lower dovetail on the right and the upper dovetail on the left. Or is it just the picture or my eyes ?
 
dryfire said:
Does the rail or base have a double dovetail? I have seen some of the rails with 2 dovetails - one set slightly narrower and set above the lower to take 3/8 size rings. Your rings appear to be engaging the lower dovetail on the right and the upper dovetail on the left. Or is it just the picture or my eyes ?
Click to expand...
That's correct, is that a problem that I can fix?
I'm not too sure on the rails, I used the rail included with my 10/22. They appear to be symmetrical.
 
You need rings of the correct size to span either the upper or lower dovetail but using an upper and a lower will cause the problem you have.
 
Did you buy the rings used? There's something wrong with the ring itself. It looks like the taper has been ground down to a blunt edge where it connects the base, or maybe that part of the ring is upside down? Take the screw off and try turning that part around and see if it fits better on the base.

But really, go buy a pair of scope rings for Weaver style scope bases. They have the screw shaft that fits across the grooves in the scope base and then tighten down. It's a better system than the 22 tip off rings, because in many cases tip off rings will become loose as you start doing a lot of shooting.
 
scanner said:
Did you buy the rings used? There's something wrong with the ring itself. It looks like the taper has been ground down to a blunt edge where it connects the base, or maybe that part of the ring is upside down? Take the screw off and try turning that part around and see if it fits better on the base.

But really, go buy a pair of scope rings for Weaver style scope bases. They have the screw shaft that fits across the grooves in the scope base and then tighten down. It's a better system than the 22 tip off rings, because in many cases tip off rings will become loose as you start doing a lot of shooting.
Click to expand...

No, the rings came with the scope. I'll see if it fits better upside down, however I highly doubt that's the issue.

Please recommend me a pair of new rings and a link to where I can purchase them.
 
The people on here told me to install my first scope and even how to zero it . That was a big help . I've installed two more since and they are A-OK !
Why pay someone else ?
I was super worried I'd screw it up , but it's really not complex at all .
Give it a try !
 
Oops , missed the bus , didn't I ?
Yes you need rings that will open enough to sit properly , I had to change mine too . Take the rail and scope with you to the gun shop and get the right ones .
 
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