ARMS #18 instruction question

[Black Majik]

Hey guys,

Hope you can help on this one.

Step #8 states to adjust tension on the front socket screw by turning the button bushing using a jewelers screwdriver or scribe.

I cannot get that button bushing to turn at all. I'm not really even sure how to turn the button bushing since the picture in the instruction sucks.

Any advice on clearing this one up?

Thank you

[Black Majik]

[elrcastor]

I'm assuming you are talking about an A2 front sight?

One of these should make it easier

http://www.riflegear.com/p-242-dpms-a2-front-sight-adjusting-tool.aspx

[andrewj]

I'm assuming you are talking about an A2 front sight?

One of these should make it easier

http://www.riflegear.com/p-242-dpms-...ting-tool.aspx

[Black Majik]

I'm assuming you are talking about an A2 front sight?

One of these should make it easier

http://www.riflegear.com/p-242-dpms-...ting-tool.aspx

Thanks for your help. This is for the ARMS #18 mount for M14/M1A rifles.

[andrewj]

I installed an ARMS #18 not too long ago and threw out the instructions right away. I just played around until everything seemed to work and look right

[6079Winston]

There should be a screw on the front of the mount to lock the front bushing thingy. It should turn freely if the mount is off the rifle or the bushing is not jammed into the receiver. I didn't have much luck making mine fit (Fed Ord Rifle) and am saving the project for a later day.

[Black Majik]

There should be a screw on the front of the mount to lock the front bushing thingy. It should turn freely if the mount is off the rifle or the bushing is not jammed into the receiver. I didn't have much luck making mine fit (Fed Ord Rifle) and am saving the project for a later day.

Thanks Winston for your reply.

I'm able to adjust the front socket screw. I've loosened it, but I need to turn the bushing to raise the socket screw i the front since it's contacting my handguard too much.

Thanks.

[Tony.]

the front screw is more of a "pad" to support the mount on the front receiver flat. It is not something that will "raise" the front. The horizontal axis of the mount is dictated by the receiver grove on the left side of the receiver.

The front socket cap screw often touches the handguard. You can either cut a notch in the handguard or replace the hex screw with a set screw. I believe it is a 6-48 thread pitch (confirm this). You will have to order the screw from brownells since 6-48 is somewhat specific to the firearms industry, so Lowes or Home Depot will not have it in stock.

[recshooter]

OP, I installed one of these last year. It was a bit of a PITA, but it ended up solid. I also had some difficulty w/ the front contact point adjustment.

Andrew is right that the directions are useless.

I ended up cutting a little notch in my handguard, and it looks pretty good actually.

Did you end up getting it installed ok?

[Black Majik]

Thank you both. The mount is installed, I do wonder, since the bushing wont seem to turn, what's even the use of having the front socket screw. I would wonder if it makes any difference if I had that screw in.

[recshooter]

Sometimes words are a bit tricky...

Do you mean that the front part of the mount won't release the circular metal piece down to contact the front of the receiver? Do you only have two contact points right now, the stripper clip guide and the side bolt?

If so, I could not get that front screw (not the set screw that goes in horizontally) which provides the front contact point to go down at first either. I got pissed and ended up shoving a punch into one of the grooves and tapping it w/ a hammer until I got it moving...probably bad advice, but it worked.

[tygerpaw]

I made a two pronged socket to turn it out of a nut driver (5/16 or 3/8, I dont remember).

[dfletcher]

I had the same problem. That front pad is moved up or down by using a split tipped screwdriver (that's not a tech term, that's just the only way I can describe the thing) and turning it from the top of the mount. If you look at the top of that pad (the part facing up through the weaver base) you should see two little slots on either side of the screw head - using a split tipped screwdriver you screw/unscrew that, don't bother with that brass retainer clip.

If it doesn't turn in one direction just try & turn it the other way. Once you have the pad set at the correct height - I set mine with just a touch of pressure against the receiver - you turn in the locking (socket) screw to ensure the pad does not move.

One other thing. That set screw will probably bump up against the top back edge of the handguard. If so you'll need to put a notch in the guard's edge.

[Black Majik]

Thank you guys for your help. You three are exactly right. It's the split bushing that's giving me trouble. 1) it's very tight, 2) I have to find a split screwdriver. The instructions to use a jewelers screwdriver or scribe is very deceiving.

I stopped by ACE last night and didn't see a split screwdriver (was there for a jewelers screwdriver for a remington 700 screw). Dfletcher, can you advise where you bought yours at?

tygerpaw, how did you make yours?

As of right now, the screw can be seen in the picture that it's sitting pretty deep on the handguard.