Cheap rifle mods that spark joy

Status
Not open for further replies.
Tapco G2 trigger groups, recently put in three imported AK 47 clones.
Why? The original US-made disconnectors caused a bit of stinging "trigger slap" upon reset. Very simple to remove the "shepherd's hooks", then tap out the two retainer pins (-- No vice is needed for any of this---).

Youtube….Then wrap a bread bag 'wire tie' or rubber band to hold the hammer spring ends together, insert the (modern) improved disconnector and also, if somehow needed, the hammer.

A second internal swap: the $8.00 pin retainer plates, to Replace, and avoid an Awkward struggle in a Very tiny space with the original, very stiff "shepherd's hooks". You simply push the plate's edges into the grooves in both retainer pins, once these pins are again in place, and insert the safety into the rear opening (third hole), as seen on YouTube. If needed, a gentle wiggle of the new disconnector easily allows the edge of the safety's axis to clear it.

Some YouTube videos have no substitute. To paraphrase "They can't be reasoned with, they can't be bargained with...(-Sarah Connor-)".
 
Last edited:
I don't have a Swiss Army knife. I don't have a Leatherman tool either. Neither are something I have ever felt a need for and I can carry the things mentioned in my pockets where they are easy to get to and don't rattle instead of inside a hole under the buttplate of my rifle. I have done the name thing on some of my rifles though. Different stokes for different folks.
To each their own. The idea was mainly to ensure that, no matter what, if you had the rifle, you had at least 2 or 3 shells, depending on caliber. Easy access wasn't the reason, it was that sometimes people forget putting things in their pocket, such as the box of shells you were planning on taking on your hunt. This way, you at least can load up once, rather than sitting around camp grumbling or trying to mooch ammo of your buddies.
 
Redleg Rick

I wish I had had your high school wood shop teacher! Thanks for the mini match safe idea as well.

Oh course I knew and old 13 Whatever Redleg would have a few good ideas.

I do not think I have been with out some sort of "MacGiver" even if not an actual SAK since I was a Cub Scout and got my first Cub Scout knife with a Blade, awl, flat head screw driver /cap lifter, and can opener.

Most folks are not aware that on the little "officers model" SAK that oddly tapered small screwdriver is actually the rear sight adjustment tool for the STG 57 Swiss service rifle.

Sklerbone,

Dang, I wish you had told me about the idea of dropping a dime on my scope turret under the cap about fifty years ago!

Besides my minor sins with files and stones on 10/22s and others I suppose some would have me lashed to a grate and beaten with the cat o'nine tails for stripping down my first bought centerfire as a teen, cleaning up the trigger system, cold blueing that M98 mauser that had near no finish on it and doing a crappy Birchwood Casey deal on the stock after cutting away a split and rotting bit of the upper hand guard.

As a history teacher I like to think that after I am dead and gone some person MIGHT find that old POC and when noting all the Bubbaing that went on think about how that old military rifle, after its life of military service went on to peace time employment as a source of entertainment for some one that cared enough to clean up its battered action, protect its steel flesh with a new "skin" and make its old furniture immune to the effects of the weather that it was once again exposed to. Also only my sisters call me Bubba.

Recently I have been looking at that old M98 friend and those new hacksaw blades out in the shop and a spare 98 stock I have right next to the wood rasp my son made his Pine wood derby car with....and there is an old scope mounting rail in the junk drawer that longs to replace the rear sight leaf on that old lightly bubba-ed -98 with an un used "pistol scope" near by.

I am thinking about a anti bubba Scout Rifle that would make them anti bubbas expose themselves in a heart beat.

I can already hear teeth grinding and weeping and wailing...

kBob
 
That got me thinking about some guns and especially older scope turrets that are made to be turned with a coin. That always puts me in a pickle in the field because I always have a leatherman in my pocket but never have a coin. I don't pay for cash for anything. Just a funny thing to me, how could the designers have ever predicted that people would have no use for coins anymore? Just like my father in law, he went to work for the phone company 40 years ago because he said everyone is always going to need a phone. Luckily he was able to transition into engineering fiber optics and cell tower communications.

You should have a screwdriver on your Leatherman. I use mine on turret screws a lot!
 
To each their own. The idea was mainly to ensure that, no matter what, if you had the rifle, you had at least 2 or 3 shells, depending on caliber. Easy access wasn't the reason, it was that sometimes people forget putting things in their pocket, such as the box of shells you were planning on taking on your hunt. This way, you at least can load up once, rather than sitting around camp grumbling or trying to mooch ammo of your buddies.

Thanks for the explanation. My original post was meant as a joke. Guess I should have used a smilie face or something. I'm quite aware of storing things in a hole in your stock and probably have known of it longer then most on here since I'm older than most..
 
Thanks for the explanation. My original post was meant as a joke. Guess I should have used a smilie face or something. I'm quite aware of storing things in a hole in your stock and probably have known of it longer then most on here since I'm older than most..

I agree, there should be a special sarcasm font or something to use in situations like this. Would probably avert a lot of flamewars. When my shop teacher showed us that, I thought it was just the coolest thing at the time. Ended up drilling holes in my Glenfield stock and two others as a result.
And as a side note, for those who have plastic stocks, especially cheapies, there's a good chance there's already a handy void inside waiting to be exploited. The one in my Crickett is big enough for 20 rounds, the original rear sight, and a magnesium fire starter.
 
One thing that has put me off buying a Ruger American (and other similarly designed rifles) is the gritty bolt travel. Feels like a dump truck poured a whole load of gravel in it

You should be ashamed of yourself, insulting dump trucks loaded with gravel like that!

Having said that, I have two of them; one Compact in 7mm-08, the other a Predator in .223. In both cases a couple hours with some 400m, 600 and 900 grit non-embedding abrasive from Brownells fixed it. Smooth as buttah now!
 
I actually dislike the extended mag release on a 10/22.
Prefer the look and feel of the original.

Not in to speed shooting so the orig works just fine.

Found that new lower end synth stocks are too flexy (Rem 700, Savage etc).
Filling the hollows w epoxy then free floating usually makes for a good shooter.
Epoxy of choice used to be some stuff from work, but with job change........pro pack of JB weld does well.
 
I went to Powercustom.com and bought their extended bolt charging handle. (the factory one on my Marlin is tiny)
I found that their quality is top notch.
Cheap rifle mod= spark of joy!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top