Anyone got a Monkey Wrench?

Stalker62

Well-Known Member
Well, I didn't really want to go, but the Club had booked the afternoon's session on the 1,000 yards at Bisley.

This means getting the AI AX out. When she is in her case she is three stones in weight. She is a bitch to transport about - I have to fold down the back seat of the truck just to squeeze the old girl into the truck.

I get there (as always) early, just in time to hear the horn for the cessation of hostilities from the morning session. For about forty five minutes I have the space to myself, just chomping down on a roll, sipping dreadful coffee from a flask and listening to the back end of "I'm sorry, I haven't got a clue". Good times.

My Club members start to drift in from about 1340 hours - I curse them their lackadaisical approach to life. I ignore the fact that they all look happier than I feel. Bastards.

I am already on the point - eager to bang off ten rounds and do one. They are all now watching me and the old 'performance anxiety' starts to kick in.

This is made worse by the fact that I cannot for the love of me, remove the thread protector on the end of the barrel, in order that I can screw the moderator over the muzzle break.

I throw what little pride I have left into my range bag and ask the immortal question:-

"Has anyone got a Monkey Wrench?"

One kind soul takes pity on me, and passes me a bit of kit that he says cost him a £1 in a budget shop.

It is a simple plastic device that assists the elderly and those with rheumatism or arthritis, to open jars and such.

Without it today, I would not have fired a shot.

Once I have overcome the reverse thread on the barrel (catches me out every time) the thread protector was off and the moderator on.

Five minutes and ten shots later and I am done. It starts to rain. I feel a smugness that I do not deserve.

I thank my saviour and disappear off the plot.

Back home, I show Mrs.S62 the picture of the purple "Monkey Wrench".

"Can you order me a couple off Amazon?"

"Why? You don't have arthritis. We are not that old that we need such things".

"Please just order me a couple - I will explain when I have calmed down".


So - the purpose of posting this drivel?

If you do not have one in your range bag, may I suggest that you make a small investment and buy one. It could save you a day on the range.
 

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Most importantly… how did you shoot?!
All nicely grouped. Centre line but off to the right in the 8 ring

I was actually using factory ammunition.

Previous DOPE for my home-loads is 11.7 Milliradians elevation. I tend to dial for elevation and use the reticule to try and 'read the wind'.

The wind was a challenge this afternoon.
 
Great idea, thank you. As one of the arthritic crumblies on the site can you post a link or give a better name other than PMW - a search of the web turns up some very strange suggestions…..
Obliged.
🦊🦊
 
Also try strips of tractor inner tube rubber. It can be used in a variety of ways, just in your hands to give more grip or to soften the grip of a monkey wrench.
 
Have you tried a tiny bit of Coppaslip grease on the threads ?

I do this occasionally and find it helps massively in anti seize duties.
 
I had one stick on me in the middle of nowhere once. Bloody thing seemed to be welded in place. I had the idea to take a piece of cord, double it, form a larks head knot with the thread protector in the middle, and then wrapped the free end of the cord around my penknife handle. Instant strap wrench that worked a treat. Sounds far more complicated than it actually was
 
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