Lap QD rings?

flyinlead

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OK, if I am going to mount a scope in a set of quick detach rings and use it on two different guns (on a picatinny rail) should the rings be lapped or not? I will be using a quality ring.. leupold, TPS, warn maxima, something like that.

Is lapping really needed in general?
 
In a case like this it sounds as though the quality of the picatinny rails themselves might be the issue. You mount the scope on the first rail, lapping the rings and making sure everything is straight and that the scope tube is not being stressed or flexed. Then, when you switch over to the second gun, any minute difference in the dimensions of the rail would negate all that effort. Aside from the potential problems created by manufacturing tolerances, you need to remember/record different sight settings for each gun. No thanks.

I love QD rings and use them on a lot of my guns, but to me the idea is to allow quick removal and replacement of the scope on the same gun. It also gives you quick access to a pre-sighted replacement scope in case of damage, or to the iron sights if the situation calls for them. Multiple scopes for one gun? Great idea, IMHO. Multiple guns with the same scope? Not so much. YMMV.
 
In a case like this it sounds as though the quality of the picatinny rails themselves might be the issue. You mount the scope on the first rail, lapping the rings and making sure everything is straight and that the scope tube is not being stressed or flexed. Then, when you switch over to the second gun, any minute difference in the dimensions of the rail would negate all that effort. Aside from the potential problems created by manufacturing tolerances, you need to remember/record different sight settings for each gun. No thanks.

I love QD rings and use them on a lot of my guns, but to me the idea is to allow quick removal and replacement of the scope on the same gun. It also gives you quick access to a pre-sighted replacement scope in case of damage, or to the iron sights if the situation calls for them. Multiple scopes for one gun? Great idea, IMHO. Multiple guns with the same scope? Not so much. YMMV.

Yes, thats what I was thinking as well, that the difference in the two bases may negate any benefit of the lapping. I think I'll try mounting the bottom half of the rings on each base first and try to see if they are badly out of alignment, then decide if I want to lap or not. Is there a good way to check alignment without an alignment tool?
I am wondering if anybody has actually wrecked a scope from out of alignment rings?
As for using them on two guns, not a big deal, just write down the scope adjustments and keep it in the gun safe (and in the iPhone)
 
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