DIY: installing Choate mount on SKS

Curtton

Curtton

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
336   0   1
Location
BC
im about to help a friend mount choate mount to his SKS and we find out that the enclosed screws are threading #10-40 fine . we couldnt find the tap at the local hardware stores , couldnt find them in wholessale and cabelas sites , apparently only gunsmith has them . i did find it at brownells for $25 just for the tap .

wtf ? why didnt it come in a common threading? and you guys who DIY have another solution ? .... thanks .
 
Last edited:
Gotrek said:
I got mine at cabela's ask again. It's on their website as well if I recall.

EDIT: just went to check mine is 8-40 screws not 10-40 maybe they changed the choate mount. This is the cabela's kit I used

http://ww w.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=2645
Click to expand...

I just got my choate a few months ago and mine is a 8-40 as well. This is the same kit I used for my mount. Don't count on the drill bit that comes with it, It's crap.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
my mistake its #8-40.

my buddy and i spoke on the phone this morning and thought the special tap should have been included in the choate package or supplied us with standard #8-32 screws.

anyways , we decided to use the standard #8-32 . i will post pic of the project later ... thanks everybody , esp to gotrek for the link but remember no hotlink to non-sponsor, lol .
 
I used 3 #8-32 on mine and its solid with a fullsize scope, the choate has 4 bolt holes right? If so it will be rock solid. You should email choate and let them know, 8-32 cap screws and taps are easy to find.
 
the choate mount came with 8 of #8-40 screws , why 8? i dont know, which we did not use. we decided to go with standard #8-32 screws.

P1090651.jpg

1. masking tape on the receiver to protect the finish.
2. they recommended the mount be located 1 1/2" from the rear of the receiver and height be about 1/16" below the triangle /\ .
3. checked for ease of removal and reinstallation of the top cover, carrier and bolt.

P1090652.jpg

4. center punch the first hole on the left. remove masking tape.
5. protect receiver in the vise with softer metal , we used aluminum .
6. level the receiver in the vise.
7. check level of the drill press table.
8. drill hole with 9/64", use oil as lubricant.
9. slowly start tapping, always check to make sure the tap is perpendicular either by eyeballing or using a 90* level. use oil as lubricant.
10. turn slowly and if you feel resistance then back off 1/2 a turn , this will snap off metal shavings.
11. mount the choate with the one screw.
12. clamp the other end with a vise grip from the top, cant do that from the bottom of receiver bcos of lack of space. check the mount is level with the top of the receiver, you can see it thru the triangles.
13. make sure the mount will not move and drill the remaining holes.
14. tap the 3 holes.

P1090653.jpg


P1090655.jpg

15. remove sharp edges.
16. shorten the screws.
17. with mount in place tighten all the screws with finger and then with allen wrench, i would do the two in the middle first and then the two outter screws.

P1090656.jpg

view from the back, the iron sight can still be used with the choate mount. below the mount rail is a curvature that follows the front sight round protector. emmab arm in the pic.

P1090662.jpg

18. part of the stock needs to be cut away.
19. loctite the screws.

there !! it was a pretty easy installation. very solid mount , my only complaint would be its not removeable like the posp mount.
 
Last edited:
supernova said:
Looks good Curtton :cheers: Did you use a cobalt bit or HSS?
Click to expand...

damn do i know , i got it from CT.

thanks to emmab for trusting me with his beloved SKS (its his first SKS, has letting go issue) :D, little did he know it was my second tapping job i've done since high school metal shop 4 decades ago . ooops :D
 
Curtton said:
height be about 1/16" below the triangle /\
Click to expand...

I’ve always put the bottom of the Choate mount triangles flush with the top of the receiver. Is this 1/16” below now mentioned in the mount instructions, because it wasn’t before?

I will now install future Choate mounts 1/16” below too if you are having no issues removing the receiver cover. (This is probably as low as this mount can be installed)
 
My receiver cover just slides out the back even if I would of mounted the mount flush I could still remove the cover Taking the bolt handle and bolt out well that's another story :D
 
Norton said:
I’ve always put the bottom of the Choate mount triangles flush with the top of the receiver. Is this 1/16” below now mentioned in the mount instructions, because it wasn’t before?

I will now install future Choate mounts 1/16” below too if you are having no issues removing the receiver cover. (This is probably as low as this mount can be installed)
Click to expand...

we followed the diagram, it looks like 1/16" lower than flush but you should always double check it. i had no problem at that position, i first put the bolt in then the carrier.

luke s said:
did you use a hand drill or drill press? would like to do this but have no access to a drill press
Click to expand...

i would not recommend using a hand drill.
 
Last edited:
Here's the finished unit with much thanks to Curtton and his pre secondary machinist skills! I bore sighted it and took it to the range where I was on the paper right away. The only problem is the rail cuts on the mount won't accept a small bodied scope like the scope I used with the receiver cover mount(short enough to use stripper clips) so I'll have to figure out a better scope down the road. The longer scope made eye relief feel a little close so I built up the buttstock which puts my eye back a bit. Cheers



IMG_3141.jpg

IMG_3152.jpg

choatepaintjob.jpg

choatepaint.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom