RUGER FACTORY BULL BARREL VS NODAK & TECH SIGHTS
I signed up for my first Appleseed event, in preparation I wanted to put on iron sights The best rifle I have for this is a Ruger Target Model 10/22VLEH Model #1230 features recessed target crown and spiral finish; this is the tactical with the target barrel. While the Ruger site and specs lead one to believe it’s a bull barrel no where does it actually state it’s a 0.920 diameter barrel. In fact it actually measures 0.927 to 0.930 depending on how I rotate my dial caliper around the barrel. I’m using a mitutoyo 505-626-50 6” dial caliper that has marked increments down to 0.001 inch.
I liked the Nodak model adapter due to it’s removable and ordered it, I put it aside after looking at at and it’s SKS style sight. I thought I’ll get the Tech sights adapter too just to hold both in my hands and see the difference. Finally I get around to trying them on the barrel. They will not go on !!! I break out my caliper I use on average once every 2 years and find the above barrel size.
Then I find the internal diameter of the Nodak is 0.923 to 0.924, the Tech Sights ID is 0.9250 to 0.9255 . I need 0.008 removed from somewhere to make both these adapters fit without problems. Tech Sights acknowledged they had some returns due to it not fitting and were not sure of the models or why. Nodak was more helpful and also had the same returns happen to them. They were interested in my problem as their returns didn’t offer much information or the customer (me) couldn’t accurately measure the problem. Nodak now knows of my forged Ruger factory barrel problem. They were also aware of another aftermarket barrel with the same problem, I wish I had taken notes of the that brand. While at first Nodak suggested I get the barrel end turned down I was reluctant as I’d rather not modify the barrel to make a limited number of non threaded adapters on the market fit. I don’t know of anything else out there besides these two items for non threaded .920 barrels. This being NewYorkastan threaded barrels present a problem. Nodak did volunteer to take theirs back and open it up on a lath with a 4 jaw chuck , for some reason a 3 jaw chuck will not grab it properly. I said I’ll get back to him if needed.
I’ve yet to contact Ruger. While the answer to some here is buy another rifle that takes irons, I don’t need or want another. (1) To turn the barrel down to accommodate both styles I need to take off a greater length than 0.802 for the Nodak which covers the Tech Sights depth of 0.750, I’ll go for 0.900 with a diameter of 0.920 to make sure. (2) Otherwise my preferred solution is to find someone with a 4 jaw chuck on their lathe to open up the adapters. (3) go at the adapters with my dremmel tool. (4) take Nodak up on their offer of opening up theirs (5) I’m open for suggestions
NDS-23 front sight Universal base for .920" diameter bull barrels.
http://nodakspud.com/NDS-22.htm
(http://nodakspud.com/images/NDS-23e.JPG)
http://www.tech-sights.com/ruger3.htm
(http://tech-sights.com/TS00157.jpg)
(http://tech-sights.com/BARREL%20ADAPTOR%20ASSM.gif)
If Nodak offered to bore out their base, that's the option I would go with. Don't really see why a 4 jaw would be necessary (it looks like it should be doable in a 3 jaw)- but if it's their work on their gear, they could do it on a drill press for all I would care. Did they say what they would charge to do it?
I certainly wouldn't seriously consider having the barrel turned down. Always machine the small, cheap part instead of the large, expensive one.
I wouldn't go at it with a Dremel. It's hard to imagine it coming out well.
If you were patient and ambitious, you might be able to do it yourself on the Nodak part with a piece of 0.750" dia (or similar) rod wrapped with some emory paper. Sounds like you don't need to remove very much material.
After thinking about it I could have remembered it backwards that a 3 jaw chuck now seems a better grab and I don't see how a 4 jaw would hold it
a good suggestion on my home site http://www.longislandfirearms.com/forum/topic/98602-ruger-factory-bull-barrel-vs-nodak-tech-sights/#entry1226804 is use a brake hone tool,
"probably just removing the coating from the inside of the sight will get you a several .0001's"
my reply to that was:
Went at the Nodak with a hand bastard file, damm that coating is hard or my old file is worn out, either way the scratches I put in it were ugly. If that was the only option I'd have to go with the dremmel and I'll accept ugly. The Tech due to it being a recessed fit I would need the dremmel for that option