To Swivel Or Not To Swivel?

[patterdale 675]

Hi folks I'm stuck on the fence.I've got a BSA lightning se grt and was thinking of adding swivels/sling.my first thought was putting on a barrel swivel so I phoned my local shop to price set up and came away quite happy, so I phoned another to compare prices and was advised not to drill into stock at butt because they have tendency to split? Now I know you got to be careful but do BSA stocks have a weakness?

[moxy 617]

Not as I'm aware. I have studs fit to a S10 walnut stock and not had any problems. Even though the fore end of the stock is fairly thin.

If you use the right size pilot hole for the stud it will be ok.

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

My old lightning xl had studs already fitted.. one in the bstock and one on the silencer near the breach. I thought they came as standard?

[Coypu Hunter 486]

I couldn't bring myself to drill into the shiny beech stock on my HW97K, so instead I use a Bisley sling swivel which clamps around the underlever at the front. The strap I use is polyester or some other man-made stuff, about an inch wide. I passed it through the swivel and back underneath itself, in a way that creates a knot that tightens the harder you tug on it.

 

At the butt end, after measuring the length of strap I needed to pass round my left arm to brace the rifle when shooting unsupported, I melted a hole with a soldering iron in the centre of the end of the strap, and the lower butt screw passes through this hole into the stock. The butt plate clamps the strap into place.

 

Did the same on my .410 shotgun which has a synthetic stock. Never had an issue with either the knot or the rear fixing, and haven't destroyed either stock trying to drill 'em. Works for me!

[mattybugeye 885]

Never heard of them splitting stocks like but maybe possible I fit slings to every gun ive owned with no bother carnt beat a sling

As Moxy said right size pilot hole wont over stress the wood and no need to use a beasty screw like some you see on eBay just a inch ish should be fine but know what you mean I once drilled my walnut Excalibur carbine stock with my teeth chattering :-)

[patterdale 675]

Just found an universal sling without the need for swivels or drilling,anybody uses one or whats your opinions onthem? theres a few different makers ones by Deben,uses a looping system

[patterdale 675]

Oh well today i ordered a set of Bisley standard swivels with barrel fixing and a Bisley leather sling one inch width both from Uttings,came to just under £24 with p+p.will be here Wednesday.A good service from Uttings have used them in past 10/10.

[John Stott 202]

If you do ever drill a wooden stock, use tape and a pillar drill, not a hand drill. Then you know the hole is at the right angle. Splits occur when the pilot hole is off to one side even by a few millimetres.

Also use some Loctite on the threads. I drilled a Mauser stock this way thirty years ago and it has never shifted or split.

[patterdale 675]

Is that locktite as in general super glue or loctite for threads if the thread one whats the full product name and where do you buy it from?

[John Stott 202]

I just use the ordinary blue Loctite for nuts. Works a treat, its habit with me now to use it on any threaded gizmo. Any hardware outlet sells it or agricultural merchant. I don't use these B&Q things, support local

[patterdale 675]

Is that locktite as in general super glue or loctite for threads if the thread one whats the full product name and where do you buy it from?

got it now "loctite thread locker"

[John Stott 202]

Sorry, I am guilty of assuming folk know what I mean straightaway!

[patterdale 675]

That's OK John.all done now and all went well.what made it easier i clamped gun in vice with wooden off cuts and towel to protect stock from damage,made it so much easier.I countersunk pilot hole and first tried an old type hand drill without much luck and then successfully used a small lithion screwdriver with drill bit and built up size of pilot hole starting with 2mm.Threadlocked the swivel,screwed it in as much with hand and finished off by placing small file into swivel and slowly turning until home.so jobs a good one,alls left to do is zero her in.