Charles Witt
Well-Known Member
Hi all.
I was looking at a Dickson Howa Golden Bear at a LGS today and it had Redfield bases with the intregal peep sight and a cheap scope mounted. I worked out a deal to purchase, but asked if they would please check the top of the receiver for drill holes (I learned this the hard way on an otherwise gorgeous 243 Bofors Deluxe). They have a "smith" on site and they agreed. I watched in horror as the "smith" and the shop owner pinned the gun down on a workbench (there was not a vise in sight) and proceeded to muscle the screws out of the rings with a Dewalt screwdriver. They put scratches on the scope and rings buggered the screws (which looked pretty good, but not perfect, before they started). They managed to get 6 of the eight screws out, but just couldn't get the last 2 to budge. I decided to walk around the store and circle back. Upon my return, I saw sparks flying! The shop owner had taken over the project and was using a mini angle grinder to cut off the ring. I asked him if he had destroyed the rings, and he confirmed that he had destroyed them when drilled out the screws with the impact driver! Sheesh! The set screws backed out easily and he stated hitting the bases with a mallet, but after a few minutes, pronounced them "stuck". He said "if you still want to buy the gun, that's cool." I told him that I would think about it and let them know.
I can see through the ring holes and the set screw holes in the bases well enough to be pretty certain that the receiver has not been drilled. I'm considering going back in tomorrow to save the gun, but wanted to know if anyone had a method that they would share for getting these bases off.
Thank you!
I was looking at a Dickson Howa Golden Bear at a LGS today and it had Redfield bases with the intregal peep sight and a cheap scope mounted. I worked out a deal to purchase, but asked if they would please check the top of the receiver for drill holes (I learned this the hard way on an otherwise gorgeous 243 Bofors Deluxe). They have a "smith" on site and they agreed. I watched in horror as the "smith" and the shop owner pinned the gun down on a workbench (there was not a vise in sight) and proceeded to muscle the screws out of the rings with a Dewalt screwdriver. They put scratches on the scope and rings buggered the screws (which looked pretty good, but not perfect, before they started). They managed to get 6 of the eight screws out, but just couldn't get the last 2 to budge. I decided to walk around the store and circle back. Upon my return, I saw sparks flying! The shop owner had taken over the project and was using a mini angle grinder to cut off the ring. I asked him if he had destroyed the rings, and he confirmed that he had destroyed them when drilled out the screws with the impact driver! Sheesh! The set screws backed out easily and he stated hitting the bases with a mallet, but after a few minutes, pronounced them "stuck". He said "if you still want to buy the gun, that's cool." I told him that I would think about it and let them know.
I can see through the ring holes and the set screw holes in the bases well enough to be pretty certain that the receiver has not been drilled. I'm considering going back in tomorrow to save the gun, but wanted to know if anyone had a method that they would share for getting these bases off.
Thank you!