Did I just ruin my base taps on my 10/22?

D_w_A

D_w_A

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Calgary, Ab
Well it looks like i've something wrong here. Today I was cleaning my 10/22. I completly disassembled it including removing the scope mount. Cleaned and oiled er' up and put her back together. I placed the mount on the gun, tightened the screws and all of a sudden the screws (3 of them) are no longer catching :confused:. Further inspection revealed that the threads on the receiver are stripped.

Now, I'm no numpty when it comes to taking stuff apart and putting it back together again so I know when the screw is getting too tight. It just seems that I put a very minimal amount of pressure on the screw before it stripped.

That being said I obviously did something wrong. But what I want to know is; what are my options? As of now one screw is perfectly fine and the base seems pretty solid with the one good screw and 3 messed up ones.

As well, where did I go wrong?
 
I have the same problem with one of my 10/22's...the aluminum receivers, unfortunately, don't hold scrfews very well. Luckily for us, someone laid out a nice fix in the sticky thread titled 10/22 tips and tricks. He even provided the part numbers from Brownells to do the fix at home. Gotta love CGN! :)
 
There are 2 scope base thread pitchs, 6-48 and 8-40 (IIRC). You can always retap to the larger 8-40 size.
 
I noticed the exact same thing on my new 10/22. You can tighten them enough to keep the base tight but then they just keep turning and not tightening. They back out fine and there were no metal shavings so I have no idea. If it is stable it should be fine just don't ever remove it in case :)
 
Just look in the Yellowpages.

It is not ruined and requires little effort to retap them. The amount of thread on the receiver just is begging to be stripped. I was actually thinking of tapping them bigger down the road. However if you hold the rifle stable and then try wiggling the scope and nothing moves it is fine, just hope it stays sighted.
 
Tapping is not all that hard, and you get to a certain point where the amount charged by a gunsmith to tap those four holes for you may outweigh the $227 a brand new 10/22 is worth (standard carbine, not the target version of course).
 
If a gun smith charged me more than 40 bucks to tap those holes I would slap him with a leather glove and challenge him to a duel. You can buy a hardcore aftermarket receiver for that much.
 
$10 bucks a hole to repair each hole that hamhand stripped out is not unreasonable. As an alternative to 8-40, Brownells sells an oversized #6-48 tap and corresponding screws. This can be easier than going to 8-40. Keep in mind that the holes in the base will have to be opened out.
 
I'm sure it's not too hard. But I've never tapped anything before so I'm a little weary of figuring it by-myself out on an item that has some sentimental value. Besides, the tools needed according to the stickey will run me $20-$25 depending on the local TC. Are there any instructional videos available (go ahead laugh :D).
 
It is essentially like screwing in a screw. Find the right tap and then start twisting her in there, make sure it is straight though. Sometimes you can get really lucky and just retap them again and it will clean it up, however that usually only works on the dies.

Just tried looking on Youtube and good luck with that :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom