Commie side rail mounts - need a hammer?

[WeedWhacker]

I've acquired a second firearm with a commie side rail - both are "AK" style, not SVD. I've three side rail mounts for "AK" rails, and every single one is too tight on the rail to allow me to put it on or take it off by hand - I've had to tap it on and off using a brass hammer.

Is this normal? Is there a recommended way to make them able to be hand-mounted and removed that won't fatigue the mount or ruin the rail? Or should I just plan on needing a hammer to disassemble when using a side-rail mount?

 

[grimjaw]

I've occasionally used a rubber mallet to give it a little bit more oomph to get the mount on/off. I'd rather it be too tight than otherwise.

jm

 

[MisterPX]

I'd smooth, or sand away at teh scope's rail mount to get it close enough to shove it on. Cheaper/easier to replace teh scope mount than the rec. rail.

You'll find tolerances for teh rails to have a large swing, you're mounts may be loose on someone elses rail.

 

[Destructo6]

Did you go through the "tension adjustment" procedure?

I followed Tantal's procedure with my SLR106fr/PK-ASV combo and the mount is snug, but will slide on with firm thumb pressure.

http://www.tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/pso/clamp_adjustments.htm

 

[WeedWhacker]

As for the tension adjustment, I've taken the screw *out* before mounting - they're all still too tight to put on by hand, on both rails.

I don't have the equipment needed to replace a rail, so thus far, the hammer seems the best option.

 

[benEzra]

You can use a little gun oil or grease on the rail's upper and lower surfaces to facilitate the process, until it smooths up a bit; it will get smoother over time (at least mine have). I think it may be that the parkerizing on the rail makes it a bit thicker than spec, but the parkerizing is relatively soft and quickly wears off with repeated mounting/dismounting of the optic or mount.

 

[dstorm1911]

is the scopes rail new? if so ya gotta sand the pads on the back to fit your rail on a used one they have already been done, put a sheet of 600 grit wet dry paper on a piece of glass to get a flat surface and swipe the scope mount along it test fitting frequently

 

[WeedWhacker]

Thanks, benEzra and dstorm - I'll give those a shot. I certainly share grimjaw's sentiment that "too tight is much better than too loose", but those ideas sound like something I can do which won't be too easy to bugger something up with.

My dremel stays FAR away from the rail and mounts.