ARMS #18, lots of fun!

Nic3500

Nic3500

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Greetings, I am looking for some information to help in installing an ARMS #18 mount.

- the locking bolt that came with it (the one that screws in the receiver) stripped. This screw is very soft, I did not even reach 60 pounds. I was at about 15 pounds when it let go... My question: what are the thread specifications for the whole in the receiver? I have an M305 Norinco.

- the front socket screw on the mount touches the top hand guard. I want to put a headless screw to replace the one that came with the mount. Any ideas as to what the specifications are for that one?

I dropped ARMS an email but they might be off for the holidays, no answer yet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Nic.
 
I just called ARMS

I got half my answers.

Front socket screw: 6-40 X 1/4 Hex screw

Side bolt: they do not have specs, they are "special manufacture". They were willing to ship me one for 10 $ (well that's until I mentioned Canada...)

So one down, one to go. Anybody knows what threads the receiver has?

Thanks, Nic.
 
Might be a similar issue, my M305 had a burr in the receiver thread for the side bolt and stripped it as well, you might want to run a tap through to clean any burrs. I picked up an extra side bolt from Wolverine, they shipped really quick. You may have better luck with a harder bolt though. Hope this helps...
 
The screw and hole in the side of the M14 receiver are a hard to find odd size ....
12 x 28 TPI .

The M14 side mounts should be mounted in place,
the screw screwed in with BLUE loctite,
and THEN the entire disgusting mess LEFT ALONE ....
FOREVER!!!!!!

The M14 side mounts and screws are NOT really designed all that well, and are NOT meant for high cycles of removals/replacements. Leave the mount in place, and swap optics using Quick release rings .... ARMS or Leupold QRW.

Better yet, instead of the rather weak side mount interface, use a TOP mount that replaces the rear iron sight. The top mount designs can provide a much stronger, more reliable mounting interface.
EG: The SA White feather and the Leatherwood mounts.

PS: I have the proper tap and die set from Brownells,
and am looking at getting some of these bolts made up with various types of bolt heads. Probably an allen head BUTTON and/or TORX High Security ...
just so you can't get that 12 " Crescent wrench to fit on the standard hex head.

PPS: Fab Arms used to list these screws .... but EXPENSIVE!!!

PPPS: Every mount seems to take a slightly different LENGTH of screw ... too short and it strips out very easily,
too LONG,
and the crew sticks into the bolt lug cut out, and that is definitely NOT a good thing.
[;{)
LAZ 1
 
ok but to clean?

ok thanks, 12x28 TPI. It is weird, I wonder if I can find that anywhere...

Leaving the mount alone is good but there is then no way to properly clean it. Unless someone can tell me a way to remove the bolt from under the receiver...?

Checked a bit on the Leatherwood, a lot complain of poor quality screws stripping. hum, that M-14 scoping project is turning into a party! :)

Nic
 
Last edited:
Lazerus2000 said:
Better yet, instead of the rather weak side mount interface, use a TOP mount that replaces the rear iron sight. The top mount designs can provide a much stronger, more reliable mounting interface.
EG: The SA White feather and the Leatherwood mounts.
Click to expand...

Errr, I can't find any reference to a Springfield Arms White Feather mount, just the rifle. And the Leatherwood mounts look like the same 3 point mounting.
 
I'd really like to try one of those mounts that simply has a loop around the barrel right at the receiver and goes into the rear sight assembly. I've never seen them sold by anyone online. To me, that looks like the cleanest, most foolproof design. I have no problem with concept of the need to tear down the rifle to install it.
 
Called it in

So I got ARMS to ship me two of these bolts. I could not find that weird format at my local hardware stores. Hope I'll have better luck with these!

Nic
 
With the front of the SA Whitefeather mount, they turn the shoulder of the barrel back, and between the receiver front and the new barrel shoulder, they slip in a special square topped washer [ aka the loop around the barrel ], which is tapped on top for the front of the rail.

Rumors that SA came up with this design to use up a batch of barrels which had the shoulder cut too far FORWArd for use on a regular receiver, are not substantiated.

The back of the White feather AND Leatherwood's NEW style M 14 mount, both replace the rear sight. So does the little block that they use under a TROY stock rail. Haven't personally played with one yet, but from the pic s, it looks the same for a TROY M 14 Battle rail.

There are much stronger/truer surfaces inside the M 14 rear sight cut out, than at the side of the receiver. Plus you've got 3/8" holes available to take MAssive 1/4" bolts to hold the whole disgusting mess in place, instead of one tacky little odd sized 12 X 28 screw.

Much better!!!!

IF you want a PERMANENT M14 scope mount, sort of like what an LRB M25 looks like, you could simply drill and tap an M14 receiver at the barrel threaded part, JUST LIKE MOST OTHER RIFLES. [ It would be a good idea to use small screws, and remove the barrel before hand. And at the back, make up a block that fits into the rear sight cut out ... instead of that tacky dovetail slot for the stripper clip.

remember,
YPMMV
LAZ 1
 
Got a reply from Smith Enterprise

They emailed me that it is a 12x32. I can get that locally, I will try and let you know the results. I hope it's ok, 12x28 cannot be found around here (I tried a couple places today).

Nic
 
Finaly installed!

:D

But it was a lot more trouble than I ever anticipated.

After replacing the side bolt, the front screw touched the the hand guard. ARMS told me it is a 6-40, 1/4 inch length. It took quite a lot of work to locate such a socket (head less) screw with these specs.

Note: if you want some of these, drop me a PM, I can send you a couple in the mail, the smallest quantity I found is 100!! I only need one...:mad:

But the result is great, the mount solid. Off to the range!

Nic
 
Like LAZ mentioned.. Keep that mount screwed and then leave it alone!

And that's why I'm an IRON sight shooter. Jean Cantius Garand never intended his platform to be scope mounted and every attempt is merely a stop gap method. If you really need to shoot a scope mounted semi-auto .308 ... then buy an AR10 or SR25 that is designed to be scope mounted. I'm hoping that many of you save your money and avoid buying all these super expensive scope mounted kit. I don't want any of you M14 lovers out there to suffer!

:cheers:

Barney
 
Iron only

yeah im with you on that one, scoping a M14 is like scoping a lee Enfield, yeah you can do it , but if you must scope it buy one that was ment to be scoped. Its a battle rifle, just keep shootin
 
You can remove/insert the bolt with the ARMS 18 mount attached. It just takes a little finesse, a lot of patience, and just a little luck. With practice it becomes a lot easier.
 
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