Drilling and tapping K frame S&W

[roysha]

I have a Weaver base #401 which is supposed to be for the above application. The gun is an M-14 38 Spec. When I set the base on the top strap with the "recoil lug" of the base against the frame, the front hole falls directly over the cylinder/barrel gap. I have read this is a bad situation because it can exacerbate the flame cutting of the frame.

So, do I not D&T the front hole and hope the 2 other holes and "recoil lug" will be sufficient (and perhaps a dab of JB Weld), shim the "recoil lug" back enough so the hole clears the gap, go ahead and D&T the front hole and hope the flame cutting will be self-limiting, or.......

Even though this is a fun gun for me, and I shoot 99.99% light 38 loads which I doubt will make flame cutting an issue, someday, someone else will own it and who knows what they may shoot through it.

As time goes by, I can still, more or less, get by with the iron sights, but optics seem to be needed more and more, therefore the desire to mount the Weaver base.

[LAGS]

Is the Top Strap thick enough where you don't have to D&T the hole all the way thru ?

[ohen cepel]

Is there a different mount option that wouldn't require a hole in a bad spot? Weigand maybe?

[Buzz Krumhunger]

I doubt reasonable .38spl loads will produce flame cutting, and if they did, it wouldn’t be enough to reduce the utility of the gun.

[country gent]

Another option would be to move the hole in the mount to where its not in the bad spot.

[wilecoyote]

I would sell the Weaver base to someone else and look for a used steel Buehler mount or similar, which does not require d&t, is acceptable to see, sturdy and works perfectly.
above all it does not irreversibly modify the Masterpiece with holes.
so I did on my vintage S&Ws, but your guns, your choice, of course_

(years ago I tried a B-Square scope base, the model fit to mount without adding holes, only removing the rear sight, on a M29, and for me it was unsatisfactory)_

[yovinny]

Redfield had a nice S&W K mount, not sure if still available though.
I have examples in both blue & matt nickle that have performed very well.
Personally,, I have very little use for aluminum weaver mounts,, and I wont even comment on anything from b-square..

[wilecoyote]

Redfield had a nice S&W K mount, not sure if still available though.
I have examples in both blue & matt nickle that have performed very well.
Personally,, I have very little use for aluminum weaver mounts,, and I wont even comment on anything from b-square..

yes: my unsatisfactory was a pitiful euphemism

[Winger Ed.]

I wouldn't be comfortable drilling a hole there either.
I'd be looking for another brand of mount and also a steel one.
I've never had much luck with anything from B-Square.

[slughammer]

I would copy the hole pattern of a modern S&W. My Model 67 is factory drilled with 3 holes. The forward most hole is about .150 aft of the barrel. If you need any more dimensions, let me know.

https://imgur.com/a/NkBcpaw

https://imgur.com/a/NkBcpaw

https://imgur.com/a/NkBcpaw

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

[practical_man]

I recently drilled my model 14 for a scope mount. I used the same hole spacing as the new production revolvers come with.

I’ve used the Allchin mount with red dot sights. Its the lowest mount on the market. https://allchingunparts.com/products...ope-mount.html

I’ve also used the weigand mounts with great satisfaction. Weigand makes a short and a long mount for picitinny and weaver type rings. https://www.jackweigand.com/swhpmnt.html

I have no affiliation with either company beyond being a satisfied customer.