Montgomery Wards

[Mike'smeatshop]

I still consider this an old tool, and I am looking for comments and ideas of what to do.

I have this old Western field 4X scope made by Weaver (Identical to Weaver J2.5). I have an old Winchester 22, mod 74 and I would like to have it drilled and tapped for Weaver mounts and rings to support the scope. My eyesight is not what it used to be. Has anyone gone this route with other older guns with success?

 

[garilla]

I saw a few on a Google search and they were side mounts like this

 

[Provincial]

Since your rifle does not have the grooves for the "tip off" mount, the side mount shown above is your easiest option. Depending on your preference, a "high" number N3 or "low" number N2 mount/rings. You will need to have your receiver drilled and tapped for the mount screws.

These show up often at gun shows in the piles of parts.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I saw a few on a Google search and they were side mounts like this

Thanks. That will work.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Since your rifle does not have the grooves for the "tip off" mount, the side mount shown above is your easiest option. Depending on your preference, a "high" number N3 or "low" number N2 mount/rings. You will need to have your receiver drilled and tapped for the mount screws.

These show up often at gun shows in the piles of parts.

And yea that will work better than going from the top. It looks as though that is what the side mounts were made for. I may have them in my parts box. Thanks.

 

[genog]

Hey Mike
I love ole 22's
Especially ole vintage ones
I have several that I enjoy plinking with, hunting with, teaching youngsters with, you name it
Well built and Straight Shooters
So.....here's my nickels worth

I would hesitate in drilling holes in your Model 74
Maybe find another old 22 that's grooved for rings and mount that scope on it....
..shoot it and see if you like it.

It's my belief that you are going to find out that...... that ole Weaver scope, although COOL is like looking through a soda straw

I did the same as you
I found a Weaver D4 in nice condition and decided to use it
So, I mounted it on a Mossy 146B

 

[bmwrd0]

Nice T-handle. I have a similarly handled 144.

I wouldn't drill and tap that rifle. I am sure that there are plenty of them out there that have been D&T'd, and would look for one that it has already been done to, or pick up a slightly newer rifle that has the grooved receiver. Things are only original once, but, on the other hand, it isn't my rifle.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Nice T-handle. I have a similarly handled 144.

I wouldn't drill and tap that rifle. I am sure that there are plenty of them out there that have been D&T'd, and would look for one that it has already been done to, or pick up a slightly newer rifle that has the grooved receiver. Things are only original once, but, on the other hand, it isn't my rifle.

Oh how I know what your saying. I have more, old 22s that my daughter has and would hate to tap it. She has my mod 72 and 69 and was thinking of checking those first to see if they are scope ready. They are only original one time. Thanks.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Hey Mike
I love ole 22's
Especially ole vintage ones
I have several that I enjoy plinking with, hunting with, teaching youngsters with, you name it
Well built and Straight Shooters
So.....here's my nickels worth

I would hesitate in drilling holes in your Model 74
Maybe find another old 22 that's grooved for rings and mount that scope on it....
..shoot it and see if you like it.

It's my belief that you are going to find out that...... that ole Weaver scope, although COOL is like looking through a soda straw

I did the same as you
I found a Weaver D4 in nice condition and decided to use it
So, I mounted it on a Mossy 146B

I think your opinion was what I was looking for. I have a few more or go find another old gun that will fit the scope. I really like shooting with my daughter and her boyfriend. Its a heck of a lot cheaper. We are on the same level with old hand tools also, I just have them packed away to hard to dig out. Thanks.

 

[bmwrd0]

Oh how I know what your saying. I have more, old 22s that my daughter has and would hate to tap it. She has my mod 72 and 69 and was thinking of checking those first to see if they are scope ready. They are only original one time. Thanks.

I cut my teeth on a Win 72. Damn fine rifle.

 

[garilla]

As far as the old Weaver scopes they can be pretty easy to recondition. The first one I reconditioned you couldn't see much through it at all, it was a 4x so I figured what do I have to lose, I took it all apart and found out they are pretty simple inside at least the old ones that is. They weren't sealed scopes so they get muck on the inside of the lens sometimes some bacterial growth too. sometimes the lens cement gives way, which you can fix, you boil the lens in water and the old glue gives away. Then you get some lens glue and cement them back together Norland optical, got a small amount from ebay enough to do several scopes UV cure. Also use non out gassing grease for the windage and elevation screws and where they touch the cross hair ring as you don't want to coat the optics with gassing of grease. After the first one I started looking for basket case scopes and have reconditioned 4 different weavers to usable again. One thing I'd suggest is to handle one lens set at a time you can get mixed up easily. Oh and don't ever touch the cross hairs !!! very delicate.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

As far as the old Weaver scopes they can be pretty easy to recondition. The first one I reconditioned you couldn't see much through it at all, it was a 4x so I figured what do I have to lose, I took it all apart and found out they are pretty simple inside at least the old ones that is. They weren't sealed scopes so they get muck on the inside of the lens sometimes some bacterial growth too. sometimes the lens cement gives way, which you can fix, you boil the lens in water and the old glue gives away. Then you get some lens glue and cement them back together Norland optical, got a small amount from ebay enough to do several scopes UV cure. Also use non out gassing grease for the windage and elevation screws and where they touch the cross hair ring as you don't want to coat the optics with gassing of grease. After the first one I started looking for basket case scopes and have reconditioned 4 different weavers to usable again. One thing I'd suggest is to handle one lens set at a time you can get mixed up easily. Oh and don't ever touch the cross hairs !!! very delicate.

Thanks for the information. I do have another that I would like to try and recondition. I read that the cheaper scopes have rubber seals, and the better scopes have the brass seals. Something to watch for.