Holding the Action (and Facing the Ring)
Many times, when working on the
receiver, the use of jigs or holders can make life easier. One case is the
squaring of the front of the receiver. This work is done in order to insure
that the flange of the barrel tightens true and square with the axis of the boltway. With the action mounted in a lathe and centered, a
very light cut is taken on the front of the receiver. The easiest way to hold
and center the action is with a "receiver facing mandrel" (Brownells nomenclature).
Above are two mandrels. The
upper one is by Brownells and is for a Large Ring Thread, while
the lower one I made and is for the Small Ring Thread. The 0.700 x 10 inch long part extends through the boltway.
Brownells gets $41 for a mandrel. If you have a
lathe big enough to do actions, then you can make one. If turned between
centers or held in a chuck or collet and not removed until done, you can be
assured of its being as good as any factory made piece.
If you intend to make one, make
both unthreaded shanks the same diameter (0.700-inch) and put center holes in
each end. Learn by my mistakes J . Note the wrenching flats on the Brownells made mandrel, nice, but I haven't used
them.
If, when inserting the mandrel
and tightening the threads, the mandrel binds in the boltway,
you have a bent or warped action.
Of course, if it is a K.KALE, the facing operation can also remove the upper
handguard extension.
If you have a lot of spare
time, this action holding block can be made. Brownells sells one for $50, but I don't think it
accepts the trigger.
You can mount the action and
use the block when polishing, or
hold the block in a vise for
filing or ?
Steve Wagner
Bellwood PA
stevewag@aol.com