Estimated price to drill and tap Rem 870 for a Pic rail?
- Thread starter Dodosmike
- Start date
I had my Ithaca Deerslayer (Model 37) drilled, tapped, and a rail put on for a red dot / scope at General Gun in Windsor. Total cost (including rail) was $180. I was surprised. They claimed 2 hours of labour plus parts.
In hindsight, not sure if it was worth it. Might have been able to buy a used shotgun already drilled/tapped for close to that amount.
In hindsight, not sure if it was worth it. Might have been able to buy a used shotgun already drilled/tapped for close to that amount.
I would reach out to a few companies for a quote (call them) to get an idea. If your local guy comes back to you way higher than everyone else, then I would ring him up and explain you want to take the business to him because he's local etc, but his price seems to be off the mark, then ask if he'll work with you. If he's not willing to, then chose your best option and don't look back.
I would trust Tactical Ordnance's prices to be reasonable.....not sure what they charge though.
$75 a hole seems expensive if you need 4 holes.... I can see a single hole costing more then 1/4 the price of 4 holes though.
$75 a hole seems expensive if you need 4 holes.... I can see a single hole costing more then 1/4 the price of 4 holes though.
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Thanks for the insight.
I have a drill press and a tap set, but not sure I want to tackle this, as I've never done it before. Getting it straight and all.......
I Was PM'd, suggested to look at a saddle rail, so adding that to the option list.
Getting a gun with a rail already installed is obviously an option, and yes perhaps a cheaper way to go............
I have a drill press and a tap set, but not sure I want to tackle this, as I've never done it before. Getting it straight and all.......
I Was PM'd, suggested to look at a saddle rail, so adding that to the option list.
Getting a gun with a rail already installed is obviously an option, and yes perhaps a cheaper way to go............
Since they are through holes they will be easy to drill and tap, getting it straight is not to hard if you have some skill and tools.
Probably a few tips, strategies and jig ideas out there online if you google it.
A predrilled, 870 pattern rail would be a good start for laying things out.
Probably a few tips, strategies and jig ideas out there online if you google it.
A predrilled, 870 pattern rail would be a good start for laying things out.
Agreed.
I figured its a "through hole", I assume (I know what happens when one "ASSumes to much) its a screw with a gob or locktite on it and not a "bolt and nut" correct?
How thick is the material on the top of the receiver? 1/8"? 1/4" (not a 1/4, but using that number for comparison)? Cane be much meat there.
Its like a bead on the end of a barrel, no idea how its on there, but there it is, and under the choke threads to boot! Must be PFM, thats all I can say about that.
Why not just go for a saddle mount, unless you really want to drill/tap? Saddle mounts are south of $50 last time I checked. My experience with them is you can install in about 3 minutes (if you have the punch ready). Once you have your scope mounted and sighted in, you can remove the scope & rail (3 min), then reinstall and have very minimum problems being on target when you reinstall. I did drill/tap for a rear sight years ago but that took me quite some time to make sure the alignment was nuts on. It worked well but the saddle mount is WAYYYYYYYYY......... faster and overall cheaper. Just my opinion.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
If you decide to drill and tap it yourself (Which I would if it were me.) the hardest part is laying it out and lining it up straight and in the center, I just did the his while installing rifle sights on a 14” 870 barrel and there was some checking and adjusting a few times till I had it all in the right place. Soldering them on was the easy part of the equation, drilling and tapping would be no different. Use a centre drill to start, a sharp tap and lots of cutting fluid helps things to go smoothly.
set-up,drill/tap 4 each #6 or #8 rail screw holes in a milling machine won't take a 1/2 hour or $20 a hole.
any 'plumber using layout & a pistol drilling/tapping techniques.....walk away & let him practice on his junk!
Mesa Tactical in AZ.manufactures a couple length rails that are to Rem 870 LE/MIL hole specifications.
any 'plumber using layout & a pistol drilling/tapping techniques.....walk away & let him practice on his junk!
Mesa Tactical in AZ.manufactures a couple length rails that are to Rem 870 LE/MIL hole specifications.
TacOrd’s website says $75 plus the cost of the rail. I’d say that’s a fair benchmark since they could probably charge whatever they wanted given Casey’s reputation.
- Location
- Newmarket, ON
Yes that is what we charge. Set up is done in a milling machine. Holes are centered and hole spacing is done per the Remington 870 drawing. We use the Mesa Tactical Picatinny rails ($50.00).
Casey
Many years ago I was visiting at a large retail store in the U.S. I was getting an action dropped off to have it color case hardened with the cyanide process. Not something that is offered everywhere. A potential gunsmith project arrived at the shop and the client asked how much to drill four holes and mount a scope on a whichever rifle was involved. At that time I believe he was told $60.00. The customer exclaimed that he thought that $15.00 per hole was rather excessive. The gunsmith replied that if he didn't care where the holes were drilled he could do them for $2.00 per hole but if he wanted them in the correct spot and centered true to mount a scope then the price was $60.00.
Most machine shops will have a minimum charge, usually starting at 1/2 hour, and in 1/4 hour increments after that. I would assume gunsmiths, or any service industry for that matter is the same. Receiver is thin, strip the hole and you're pooched
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