Drilled and tapped...now what?

[TX_RGR]

I am not new to firearms, but I have always been an old school iron sights guy until now. I have a rifle that is drilled and tapped for a scope, and the rifle came with a b-square weaver rail and a couple of screws that are not self-tapping. This rifle is something of a collector's item, as it is no longer made, and I am not exactly the handiest person in the world. Bottom line: I don't want to screw this up! No pun intended.

The receiver has two little mounds of metal, I guess, over the holes, so it's not a simple matter of just putting the screws in. I am guessing the idea is to drill a hole of slightly less diameter than my screws, and go for it.

Bear with me here, I can drill a hole, but this seems like one of those precision, one-shot deals. Not something I want to attempt with a hand-held. Am I being too careful here, or would you all get a gunsmith for this one? Or at least a drill press?

How would YOU do it?

I'd appreciate any advice you guys can offer.

TX

 

[hoghunting]

You will be much better off by letting a 'smith do the work. You need a drill press and a jig to center the holes and drill them in the right place. Since you have not done this before and the jig will cost more than getting the work done, let someone with the knowledge and equipment do the job.

 

[griz]

Check to see what is in the holes. If they are filled it is usually with screws, which should have slots or hex shaped holes for an Allen wrench. Maybe someone filled the slots, or the entire hole, with wax or something easily removed. Worth a look anyway. Just get a toothpick or something a little more substantial and probe the top of the "little mounds".