Springfield M1A Windage Question

[theoctopus]

I think we have a bit of a misunderstanding. The windage knob screw is acting totally as you've described above. What i'm talking about in my previous post is the knob's threads being engaged directly with the sight base. Not the windage screw and it's engagement with the elevation assembly. I understand that they are two separate pieces. It's the knob's threads and the sight base that account for the movement I've described. Unless I have something totally forked up.

 

[30Cal]

Ok, I see what you're saying.

The amount of friction acting between the threads of the base and the knob shouldn't vary. I'm pretty sure the threads are fully engaged (or mostly so) over it's full range of travel. If it does, that indicates that something isn't aligned right.

I didn't figure out what was up with my defective knob until I tried to assemble the sight outside the rifle.


Where are you located?

 

[theoctopus]

I assembled the knobs outside of the sight and everything fits together just fine. I understand that the friction between the threads of the sight base and the threads of the windage knob shouldn't change, but wouldn't it still move in and out of those threads as it rotates just as any threaded object would? I don't think the threads on the inside of the sight base are free floating, so I don't see how it would stay fully engaged throughout the knobs full range of motion.

 

[theoctopus]

Oh and I'm located in Oregon.

 

[30Cal]

I don't have one in front of me.

My last thought would be to reassemble it on the rifle without the sight cover and see what you get as far as ease of motion.

Ted Brown is up there somewhere. Check www.m14tfl.com for an address under the gunsmith sticky.

 

[lipadj46]

It's a new Springfield correct? Just call them and tell them your problem I am sure they will help you out or send you a replacement. Use their customer service it is top notch.

 

[theoctopus]

30Cal: Thanks for pointing me in Ted's direction. He was very helpful and affirmed my original thought that something wasn't right with the sight assembly. He informed me that something was binding on the inside causing the threads on the windage knob to tighten when the aperture shifted right, and to loosen when the aperture shifted left. Just as you'd said, the tension should be uniform throughout the aperture's movement.

lipadj46: It is indeed a new rifle. Left a message for them. Hopefully I will hear back from them tomorrow.