New rings on old claw mounts?

Longwalker

Longwalker

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I have a very nice old Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model GK 7x64 carbine that is equipped with a good set of claw mounts but a poor scope. I'd like to replace the scope with a modern one. I could special order a scope from Europe with the old style prism rail underneath, and have it fitted. Or my idea is to hire a skilled machinist to cut appropriate dovetails into the bottom of a set of steel rings and fit the rings to the claw mount. Any reason that can't work? Any suggestions who could do it for me? The scope I'd prefer to mount is pictured, with the rifle as-is.
 

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I think New England Custom Gun sells the rings in the white with the claw section blank and ready for fitment. Would this be a start? You’d need a skilled smith to fit them.
 
Rings are available that mount on the 1 inch tube in the normal fashion but have unfinished "feet". You just have to find a supplier... and then someone willing and able to take on the job.
 
I've machined leopold rings to fit in that rail slot, its doable. If its a 26mm scope its more of a pain reaming out 1inch rings.
 
I guess you are aware that EAW sells those rings (for standard 1"/26mm/30mm round scope tubes) as well as bases for the GK .. if you had the measurements the rings just "may" fit your existing claw mount bases. Although I dont know how standardized the claw mount bases are. I have a Model 1950 with claw mounts but the scope is a Kahles. You may wish to check the Nickels ability to hold zero. If it is a moving reticle design it may surprise you how dependable the zero will remain. Optically they arent up to the latest scopes but some people dont mind the design.
 
You could always dovetail the base of a blank Picatinny Rail to the contours of the rail bases drill the appropriate holes and just mount a regular 1inch set of scope rings on it.
 
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bear hunter, thanks for the suggestion but the aesthetics of picatinny rails adapted to a classic sporter like my M-S is a non starter for me.
AP, yes, I do know that EAW sells new claw mount rings for my rifle. But when I got a couple quotes for buying and fitting them the estimated bill was $1400 and up. And there are maybe a handful of people in all of Canada who can actually fit claw mounts properly. Guys like Martin Hagn won't do that kind of work any more, they are too in demand and busy building full custom rifles. My main problem with the Nickel scope is a dim view and zero magnification. It is rugged, works as originally intended, and would be OK for close in shooting in bright daylight. Just not a scope to use in the dim light I usually hunt in.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up just ordering a scope from Optics Trade in Slovenia with the old style European prism rail underneath, and will use the existing claw mounts. Karl Kaps Classic 1-4x straight tube scope. Kaps is one of the only manufacturers who still make a scope with that type of rail. It should only require drilling for the cross lock screws through the rail to fit the mount. Most any gunsmith should be able to do that.
 
I am very interested in how this turns out. Please let us know. I have a drilling with a railed scope that I quite like, but I worry if it ever craps out, what my options would be. I was not aware of these Kaps scopes. They look pretty good.
 
I have three Kaps scopes already, and find them robust, good optical quality and good value for $. I don't care for first focal plane reticles, but Kaps have an optional reticle called Invariant that is like a #1 three post but a continuous taper and reticle size doesn't appear to change with magnification. We'll see in a couple months when it arrives.
 
Longwalker said:
I have a very nice old Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model GK 7x64 carbine that is equipped with a good set of claw mounts but a poor scope. I'd like to replace the scope with a modern one. I could special order a scope from Europe with the old style prism rail underneath, and have it fitted. Or my idea is to hire a skilled machinist to cut appropriate dovetails into the bottom of a set of steel rings and fit the rings to the claw mount. Any reason that can't work? Any suggestions who could do it for me? The scope I'd prefer to mount is pictured, with the rifle as-is.
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Rings with a prism rail profile to fit your existing mount is a great idea. ATRS and Near are Canadian manufacturers of rings that might be up to the challenge .
 
Longwalker said:
I have a very nice old Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model GK 7x64 carbine that is equipped with a good set of claw mounts but a poor scope. I'd like to replace the scope with a modern one. I could special order a scope from Europe with the old style prism rail underneath, and have it fitted. Or my idea is to hire a skilled machinist to cut appropriate dovetails into the bottom of a set of steel rings and fit the rings to the claw mount. Any reason that can't work? Any suggestions who could do it for me? The scope I'd prefer to mount is pictured, with the rifle as-is.
Click to expand...

These original Manlicher Schoenauer Rifles are in a class by itself, they deserve to be treated with extra TLC.
To fit a new set of Rings I recommend Gunsmith Martin Hagn of Hagn Rifles & Actions in Cranbrook BC. Martin has tons of experience with Claw mounts, can supply the Mounts and is one of the very few I would trust with such Job on a nice Rifle. Best to email him because he is a bit hard in hearing.

Cheers
 
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