Smith & Wesson 77A Gets A Scope Mount

[ezman604]

This COULD be posted in the Vintage Gate since this is my 1970 new old S&W 77A rifle. But I posted it here since it is a shop mod. This gun has iron sights, no dovetail or Weaver to mount a scope. I'm not sure if a mount was EVER produced for these guns but I decided to build one. I wanted to keep this gun original so epoxying a rail on top or tapping the top of the receiver was not a choice for me. Here's what it looks like before I started.





First step was drawing out a side mount on paper. Then fitting it to the gun.





Then traced it onto an aluminum sheet and cut it out with my bandsaw.





Then I put it in my vise (homemade sheet metal brake. LOL) and bent it. Then measured, drilled and countersunk the two mounting holes.  Picked up some 10-32x1/2" screws at Lowe's to replace the factory screws that were a tad short after adding the mount. I checked the level of the scope deck. All good.





I threw a scope up onto the deck and did a quick test view. Eye relief is near perfect.







I have a Weaver rail ordered from Crosman that SHOULD be here tomorrow. If not, I plan on stopping by Wally World and looking to see what they have. I know they have a set of Weavers and possibly a set of rings that mount by screw. Either will work for this gun.
After I get the rail or rings in place, I will trim the mount up a bit, sand it, paint it and shoot!!!!
This is an awesome gun and has great power. Should I ever need to, I can remove the mount and reinstall the factory screws and have a 100% authentic gun again. I'll post the final pictures as soon as I get the rest of the parts rounded up.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[amb5500c]

When there's a will, there's a way. I hope it works like a charm.
Richard

[Toolmaker]

 That's coming along great! Very well thought out. I like how you can return it to original.

 I'm a huge fan of pumpers. I'd like to try out your S&W at the next fun shoot! (please) 

[ezman604]

Thanks Matt. It is a very powerful gun, surprisingly hard hitting for a .22 pumper. I will have it at the next shoot and you  (or anyone else) are more than welcome to shoot any of my herd. 
I'm beginning to develope an affection for pumpers myself. Thanks in part to your masterful work on Goldfinger!!!!

That's coming along great! Very well thought out. I like how you can return it to original.

 I'm a huge fan of pumpers. I'd like to try out your S&W at the next fun shoot! (please) 

[SAADE]

ezman: What's your thoughts on re-finishing the gun? Not sure what that does to so-called "orig values" but, that gun would look sweet with all new wood finish and paint.

[ezman604]

Yes it would make it look as good as it shoots. But like you, I'm not sure what it will do to the "value". I'm very tempted to refinish it but....
Will have to ponder that for a bit.
 

[shadow]

Looking good bro and if it ain't got a scope mounting system, make one. Ed

[grumpy]

Very cool mount. Have to let us know how it works once its done.

Dave

[ezman604]

Well, time to redesign. 
It's not stable enough. Will have to make it a saddle style attached on BOTH sides. I'll get there. LOL
Would be easier if I could find me some "U" channel stock or square tube to modify. And if I can't find one of those, I'll just measure and cut a reverse pattern of the left side and screw them together.
Stay tuned...

[Toolmaker]

It's not stable enough.

 I was worried about that. Some aluminum angle iron might work. Another idea would be to use 3 flat pieces, a left, a right and a center strip. Drill and tap the center piece, drill and countersink the left and right sides and use screws to hold it together.

[SAADE]

Same here, e.g. the mount for the Walther Lever Action (Winchester 1894) comes to mind, it grips on both sides of the receiver/action.

ezman: Go to the Big Box and see what they have for alum channel for shower enclosures etc, bet you will find something in a "U" shape and.. probably with reinforced webbing in the inner extrusion?

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Yes it would make it look as good as it shoots. But like you, I'm not sure what it will do to the "value". I'm very tempted to refinish it but....
Will have to ponder that for a bit.
 

Go ahead and make yourself happy. It's hardly pristine and they are under-valued on the market in any case. I recently picked up one indistinguishable from new in the original (tattered) box w/owners manual
for @ $150. I readily admit that the seller cut me some slack because he sympathized with my angst over having to sell one in equally pristine condition a few years ago to help keep the household afloat when we were enduring a spot of hardship.

Should the market for them ever mushroom the phrase 'older restoration' doesn't carry the implications of recently refinished.     Tom @ Buzzard Bluff

PS: the metal parts forward of the receiver clamshell appear to be taken from the Crosman 140 parts bins should you need parts. I think the same is true of the barrel as well but not positive. The 'innards' in the clamshell are NOT Crosman! It has a massive valve that allows the storage of the factory recommended 20 pumps without strength issues. FWIW----mine averaged 687.3 fps at 14.8 fpe on 20 pumps----virtually identical to my new RWS M-34 in .22.

[lizzie]

Well, time to redesign. 
It's not stable enough. Will have to make it a saddle style attached on BOTH sides. I'll get there. LOL
Would be easier if I could find me some "U" channel stock or square tube to modify. And if I can't find one of those, I'll just measure and cut a reverse pattern of the left side and screw them together.
Stay tuned...

Great idea Dave.


If it were me, I'd go over to my nearest metal fab place and have them bend me one, lol. We have a metal fabricator in Fort Worth that is so affordable that it would cost me more in materials than it would to just take them my design to them and have it stamped out.

Looking forward to seeing the final product. Great work!

[ezman604]

Round 2 starts tonight. I paid a visit to Lowe's today and got a 4' piece of 1/16" aluminum "L" material 1-1/2" wide. Will make a saddle mount and try again.
LOL

[ezman604]

Finally got some bench time today. Got back on the scope mount with 1-1/2" "L" channel 1/16" aluminum stock. Measured and cut the left side. Drilled holes and mounted it to measure what to trim off.



After trimming it up I removed it and used it as a template to cut the right side. Drilled, countersunk and mounted to mark it to trim it down.



Then marked the centerline and placed the Weavers on top and marked holes. Drilled through left bracket and tapped the right side. Placed the Weavers on top and screwed everything together.





Mounted it all up and slapped a BSA 3-9X40 AO scope on top with a set of Weaver low mounts.



I set up my backstop at 10 yards and attached my duct seal filled 5-1/2" pellet trap. It's cold and dark outside so this is all the range I have in my shop. It was fairly close and it walked in great. This with CPHP 14.3gr and 7 pumps.



Now I'll take it off, wipe it down real well and shoot some satin black all around. Will take a few pictures of the finished product but it sure works, nice and stable.

Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[Toolmaker]

 That looks great Dave! Your mount along with nice glass add a totally new dimension to that vintage pumper. Looks like a winning combo!

[ezman604]

Slapped a couple of coats of satin black on and let it dry.







Remounted the BSA scope.







Fresh 5-1/2" target set at 10 yards and fired to walk the scope back in.



Smith & Wesson 77A reporting for duty sir!!!!
Ready for some serious lead slinging now!!!!
 

[gene_sc]

Now that is what I love. Great pictures Dez on the progress of your project. Very nice work I might add on the mounting system. very nice design.  I think that gun deserves a nice Bushnell sitting on top...

Thanks for sharing.

[ezman604]

Thanks Grand Master Gene. I appreciate the compliments. A Bushy on top? Okay, go ahead and ship me one, I guess I'll mount that instead. If it will make you happy.
LOL
 

[dk1677]

Nice work Dave!