Riflesmith in Scotland?

[Tim1]

So some of you may have seen my thread recently about a moderator search. Took the rifle to my local store and typically the thread is useless,(unused sako 75 but not threaded in the factory). I know there’s a chap in tomintoul that’s well thought of. Is there anyone else in Scotland? Keen to avoid rfd hassle if possible but could send it elsewhere.

Is there anything else worth doing whilst it’s in the shop? I’ve dropped the trigger pressure as much as seemed possible on the rifle but it’s still heavier and less crisp than another 75 I’ve bought second hand.


Cheers!

No one appears to have asked why the thread is 'useless', what's wrong with it? Just for info, Sako 75s were never offered with a factory thread.

Tim

 

[wildfowler.250]

No one appears to have asked why the thread is 'useless', what's wrong with it? Just for info, Sako 75s were never offered with a factory thread.

Tim

None of the mods would fit on it in the shop Including some very old moderators. Probably should have known because the thread protector only half screws on. Think it’s just a duff job on a non factory cut 75 as you say!


Out of interest, I was planning picking up a particular moderator from a shop as I’m passing this week. Is there a particular thread on the mod I should go for and get the rifle cut to it when I get the chance? Eg is a 14x1 or a 1/2 UNF a better choice?

 

[Tim1]

M14 spigot without any doubt.

Tim

 

[wildfowler.250]

M14 spigot without any doubt.

Tim

Cheers Tim! Excuse my ignorance but where does the “spigot” come in? Is this the same as standard 14x1? My other rifle (.270) is actually stamped m14x1 but I couldn’t tell you if the M stands for anything or just “moderator”?

 

[Tim1]

Cheers Tim! Excuse my ignorance but where does the “spigot” come in? Is this the same as standard 14x1? My other rifle (.270) is actually stamped m14x1 but I couldn’t tell you if the M stands for anything or just “moderator”?

Photo of a spigotted thread below. It's by Andy Massingham of Bowland Custom. The spigot allows you to slide the mod on and locate it on the end of the thread before screwing on and generally supports the mod better. With a non-spigotted thread you end up with the mod 'teetering' around on the end of the barrel before you engage the thread.

The 'M' nomenclature identifies the thread as metric.

 

[tdawson]

So some of you may have seen my thread recently about a moderator search. Took the rifle to my local store and typically the thread is useless,(unused sako 75 but not threaded in the factory). I know there’s a chap in tomintoul that’s well thought of. Is there anyone else in Scotland? Keen to avoid rfd hassle if possible but could send it elsewhere.

Is there anything else worth doing whilst it’s in the shop? I’ve dropped the trigger pressure as much as seemed possible on the rifle but it’s still heavier and less crisp than another 75 I’ve bought second hand.


Cheers!

If you’re on the east coast, I recommend
Brian Duncan (Gunsmith) Ltd, Edzell, Angus.

Old-school gunsmith, fair prices!

 

[Woodsmoke]

Andy Coull Osborne Gun Company Dundee.

Plus one for Andy. Or there's Brian Duncan in Edzell too

Highly qualified gunsmith | Brian Duncan (Gunsmith) Ltd

I specialise in all types of gun repairs and restoration. I serve customers in Edzell and across Angus. Call Brian Duncan (Gunsmith) Ltd for more information, today.

www.brianduncangunsmith.co.uk

 

[bogtrotter]

Plus one for Andy. Or there's Brian Duncan in Edzell too

Highly qualified gunsmith | Brian Duncan (Gunsmith) Ltd

I specialise in all types of gun repairs and restoration. I serve customers in Edzell and across Angus. Call Brian Duncan (Gunsmith) Ltd for more information, today.

www.brianduncangunsmith.co.uk

Yes I have met Brian he was good enough to replace a bead on a s/s shotgun at 8.30 pm when the person I was loading
for at the Grouse lost it, felt he couldn't use the gun with no bead the next day
The headkeeper phoned Brian and he was good enough to open up at that time of night and do the job not only that but
he managed to find a bead that was a perfect match for the other gun of the pair.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Yes I have met Brian he was good enough to replace a bead on a s/s shotgun at 8.30 pm when the person I was loading
for at the Grouse lost it, felt he couldn't use the gun with no bead the next day
The headkeeper phoned Brian and he was good enough to open up at that time of night and do the job not only that but
he managed to find a bead that was a perfect match for the other gun of the pair.

Now that's service for you!

 

[Kieranglen]

Highly recommend Brian Duncan, refurbished 2 shotguns for my father after his house flooded and his cabinet got soaked and the guns water damaged!

 

[Ronin]

Photo of a spigotted thread below. It's by Andy Massingham of Bowland Custom. The spigot allows you to slide the mod on and locate it on the end of the thread before screwing on and generally supports the mod better. With a non-spigotted thread you end up with the mod 'teetering' around on the end of the barrel before you engage the thread.

The 'M' nomenclature identifies the thread as metric.

Ah yes, I remember that well

 

[Tim1]

Ah yes, I remember that well

Thanks Andy. Although I don't agree with the move to lead free, it really is shooting lights out with 139 grn GMX.

Tim

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

Photo of a spigotted thread below. It's by Andy Massingham of Bowland Custom. The spigot allows you to slide the mod on and locate it on the end of the thread before screwing on and generally supports the mod better. With a non-spigotted thread you end up with the mod 'teetering' around on the end of the barrel before you engage the thread.

The 'M' nomenclature identifies the thread as metric.

Spigot is the only way to fly....

 

[beer can]

Wallace Mccrea, in Kirkudbright is excellent. He threaded a barrel for me, highly recommended if you get down that way.

Turnright Galloway

Make an appointment, turn up, leave your rifle, go away and have some lunch nearby. When you come back, it'll be done. A sit down in his living room with a beverage of choice, with a nice view and an interesting chat were thrown in.

....But in any case, Edinburgh Rifles is a lot closer to you I'd guess.

I have had work done by Wallace before and cannot recommend him highly enough.
I havent had any work done by Edinburgh rifles but have dealt with them a number of times and found them helpful knowledgeable and excellent to work with,

 

[Steff]

Photo of a spigotted thread below. It's by Andy Massingham of Bowland Custom. The spigot allows you to slide the mod on and locate it on the end of the thread before screwing on and generally supports the mod better. With a non-spigotted thread you end up with the mod 'teetering' around on the end of the barrel before you engage the thread.

The 'M' nomenclature identifies the thread as metric.

I agree that this technically the better solultion. Unfortunately there aren't too many mod makers who offer the spigot option.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Photo of a spigotted thread below. It's by Andy Massingham of Bowland Custom. The spigot allows you to slide the mod on and locate it on the end of the thread before screwing on and generally supports the mod better. With a non-spigotted thread you end up with the mod 'teetering' around on the end of the barrel before you engage the thread.

The 'M' nomenclature identifies the thread as metric.

Spigot is the only way to fly....

I agree that this technically the better solultion. Unfortunately there aren't too many mod makers who offer the spigot option.

Cheers gents. So this really gives me 2 questions:

1) the Freyr and devik for example comes with a spigot adapter. Which I assume is fine. But is this going to limit moderator choices if I decide to change further down the road?

And essentially this spigot means that the mod slides on better? I’ve never had any issues screwing them on?

There will be sense to it, it’s just engineering isn’t my strong point!

Thanks!

 

[Steff]

Cheers gents. So this really gives me 2 questions:

1) the Freyr and devik for example comes with a spigot adapter. Which I assume is fine. But is this going to limit moderator choices if I decide to change further down the road?

And essentially this spigot means that the mod slides on better? I’ve never had any issues screwing them on?

There will be sense to it, it’s just engineering isn’t my strong point!

Thanks!

If you decide to have a spigot cut on your barrel, you are set on it, no way back unless you have the whole thing cut off.

Having said that a spigot is a very good thing to have, the majority of barrels and mods just have regular threads. And they work and have worked for many years. So I wouldn’t loose any sleep over it.

 

[dropmdead]

I would suggest organising the moderator you want, and then have the thread cut for the muzzle for an exact fit.
I would also suggest a calibre specific moderator instead of generic >6.5mm etc.

 

[Tim1]

Cheers gents. So this really gives me 2 questions:

1) the Freyr and devik for example comes with a spigot adapter. Which I assume is fine. But is this going to limit moderator choices if I decide to change further down the road?

And essentially this spigot means that the mod slides on better? I’ve never had any issues screwing them on?

There will be sense to it, it’s just engineering isn’t my strong point!

Thanks!

I don't think that I can tell you anything more than my posts above.

I have had spigotted and non-spigotted mods over the years. I only have spigot fittings now. We're talking detail here but they are definitely superior in my opinion and I have never had difficulty in finding a mod with a spigot fitting. I currently have a Jet Z and Ase Utra CMM4 both in .30 cal so they fit all my rifles ranging from .243 to .308 bore size. I suspect that spigot threads aren't available from the factory as far as I'm aware due to the bit of extra turning required and the associated cost over a spigot fitting. The bean counters spoil everything given the chance. It is probably something you would have to try for yourself to appreciate the difference. You can still fit an end cap as below:

 

[wildfowler.250]

cheers guys, brilliant advice as always and really nice to get everyone’s opinions on here. Much appreciated and have a good weekend!