6x malcolm scope problems

[30SHARPS]

I mounted a 6x Malcolm scope on my .30 WCF L.S. and need some advise from others who have done the same. The scope is installed with the Leatherwood Hi-Lux mounts included with the scope (poor to say the least). I have had a great deal of trouble trying to get the scope mounts so that they will not move, and the scope so it will not move forward in the mounts. After several cleanings and applications of Loc-tite, the installation of a "heavy recoil ring", breaking and replacing screws, I think it is finally set. Problem is that in this position the hammer is sooooo close to the scope tube that correction to the right for windage or different loads, is almost non-existant and the cocking of the hammer is very awkward. The scope is set in the mounts so that the tip of the hammer when down is dirrectly opposite of the Wm Malcolm logo on the tube. In this position the hammer is less than 1/16from the tube, making sighting correction to the right almost 0. Anyone else having this problem?

[pinatakid]

There is another member out there that has also mounted a 6X Malcolm on his Little Sharps in 30WCF that I communicated with before this system crashed. Hopefully he will re-join and be able to give some advice on the subject. I just received a 6X Malcolm that I was planning on mounting on my 35-55 Little Sharps and your post has given me a "Heads Up" on things to anticipate.
By the way, what was the size and thread pitch of the screws necessary to attach the Wm, Malcolm bases to the pre-drilled and tapped holes in the Little Sharps barrel?

[30SHARPS]

Hello Pinatakid, glad to hear from you and see some new L.S. infor. The member you were talking about was me, I changed my user name after the crash. The screw size is 6 X 40TPI. I have mounted many scopes over the years and NEVER had any problems with the scope moving like this one. The heavy recoil ring I mounted is called a 3/4" locking clamp ring (Hi-Lux item TLC), NOT the actual forward ring that slides with the recoil. (Don't think I want that if possible.) I placed it in back of the forward scope ring in hopes that it would prevent the scope from moving forward due to recoil. It seems to have worked in that reguard. One must remove the rear eyepiece to install this ring. I believe that every screw in the whole rig loosened at some time. This includes the rear mount spring plunger screw as well as all the mounts, bases, and clamps. Clean all threads well with cleaner prior to Loc-tite.
Hoping that this takes care of the scope moving problem, I need to correct the scope to hammer position situation. I need the input of others that have mounted the same scope on their L.S. The fore and aft position of the scope is right for the sight picture and the eye relief. There are at least two pictures on the Inet of these scopes mounted in positions that are TOTALLY bogus! (What will gun writers stoop to next.) One shows the scope mounted soooo far forward that one would have to have their face on the side of the receiver to get a "open" view in the scope. (Very convienently this put the scope totally in front of the hammer, thereby eliminating the hammer interference problem.) The other shows a top of the receiver view only, and there such a major gap between the hammer and the scope that I don't think the front of the scope can possibly even be in the fwd rings! Please let me know how your scope fits. I have pleant more info,,let's stay in touch.

[pinatakid]

Hello 30Sharps. Good to hear from you. After what you have said I am kind of wondering if I should just put the Wm. Malcolm back in the box and ship it back and get a refund. Don't think I can do that because my eyes are not what they used to be and can't see well enough to hit anything without glass optics.

I do appreciate your information on the base mounting screw size. Will save me from taking it to a gunsmith around here and have him look down his nose because I didn't buy it at his store. Don't know about your area but most of the firearms dealers around here seem to have the superior attitude that puts people off. This is an issue that has come up in the "American Rifleman" before so I don't think it is unique to this area.

My Brother also has one of these Little Sharps in 38-55 and is looking to put the same type of optics on it. I will pass on all you have given me to him.

Guess my next step is to get one of those heavy recoil rings on order.

How much different from the 3X "period type" scope sold by Charles Daly can these 6X models be??

[pinatakid]

30SHARPS I am going to pick up some mounting screws in the next couple of days and start on the mounting project. Will give you a running commentary on the progress and problems.

I did see an example of this Scope mounted with the "rear Caged adjustment mount" in the forward position and the 'front Mount" in the rear position. Take a look at the "Sharps Side Mount" picture at http://cwsutler.hypermart.net/BCA_Scope.html and see if that might be a solution.

[30SHARPS]

I like the rifle a great deal,,so much that I'll do a little bit of "learn on the go" on the scope mounting. My eyes are getting a bit too old for peep sights past 100 yds. so I really want that scope on my .30 WCF. It was my mistake not to buy the TLR (tube locking ring) in the first place, maybe I just didn't tighten everything up as snug as I could (though my final tightening snaped off one screw). Just do it right the first time to avoid the problems I had. This type of mounting system was new to me,,take some time to study the parts and how they work. Clean (degrease), use loc-tite, and tighten to what you think is proper. I marked the tube with a scribe line at the ring position, that way I could tell if the tube was slipping forward. I had to do it a couple of times,,but I think I've got it now.
You might want to contact C.D. on the screw size, they are very helpful. I believe it is 6X40 because it is the same as what shows in the catalogs for Weaver mounts.
As far as the hammer interference problem, maybe it's just me. So far I haven't heard from anyone who has already mounted one one of these scopes to a L.S. I contacted Hi-Lux, nice people and generous with there info and time. There are offset mounts for the muzzel loading side hammer guns,,,but not for the L.S. If necessary I could make a set. But I'll wait for more info.
The rear cage mount forward picture is interesting. I would think that the range of adjustment would be smaller like shown.
I'll be going to the range again as soon as the weather is better. The L.S. is fun, fine quality and accurate. I guess I just have to work through this one,,OK by me.

[jgeorge]

I just bought a 218 Bee Little Sharps and a 6x Malcolm scope from Buffalo Arms. I've read in this thread that the correct screw size is 6-40, but I've also read in this thread that it's the same size as Weaver scope mount screws. I thought Weaver mount screws were 6-48.

I emailed the gunsmith at Chiappa over a week ago, but have not heard back from him yet. I have some 6-48 screws (3/16 of an inch long in the thread section) from Brownells. They will hand screw in to the holes, but only for about one revolution. Don't want to attempt to mount the scope until I know the hole specs for sure. Can anybody confirm the screw size as 6-40 vs 6-48? Are the Brownell screws I have too long?

Thanks!

[30SHARPS]

jgeorge,

On a previous reply I had measured the "plug" screws" that I took out of my L.S., they went the full depth of the screw hole in the barrel, and only measured .080"...so the screws need only to be the depth of the mount plus .080". If they are longer,,they need to be trimmed. Remember, the length of this type of screw is not the overall length,,,it is the length from the bottom of the head to the end of the screw. If your 48TPI screws won't go in more than what you say,,,,then I think the 40TPI'S are correct. You also might take out your plug screws and compare them to the screws you have. As you may have read in my other posts,,,I have had a very miserable time mounting my Malcolm scope. Please let me know if you have an interferance problem with the hammer. Since the recoil of your .218 will be considerably less than my 30WCF you may not have the movement problem I did,,,but my advice on the use of Loc tite is still worthwhile. You might want to check the internet Guns and Ammo article "This Bee is a Sharps". There is a picture of the authors L.S. in .218 Bee, it shows how he had to mount the scope so as to eliminate the hammer interferrence problem. He also briefly mentions it in the article. I tried looking through my scope with this much eye relief and it is totally unsat!!!,,,unless you have a neck like a goose. When I get time to revisit the problem, I will probably make a spacer to put under the blocks and raise the scope up. Hopefully this will give enough clearance with the hammer. Please keep in touch....contact me if I can help. Have you experienced any failures to fire??? read my other post today to problemchild on this problem. T.

[jgeorge]

30Sharps,

Thanks. I did finally hear from the Chiappa gunsmith. He confirms that the correct screw size is 6-40. Thanks also for info on screw length (the Chiappa gunsmith had no answer for THAT question). I'm going to see my gunsmith this week about another project, and he says he has some 6-40 screws that I can trim.

Yes, I think the light recoil on the 218 Bee should help me keep the scope from shifting in the mount. And with the light recoil (and the 4.5 inches of eye relief) I believe I will be able to "crawl" up on the stock and mount the scope far enough forward to avoid contact with the hammer. I hope...:)

I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again for the info.