Fantastic custom collectable almost destroyed!

I won't go into detail(s) about how I managed to literally RIP the scope base screws right out of the threaded holes in the alloy top-strap of my customized Smith & Wesson 78G, other than stating ape-level strength🦍 combined with moron-level intelligence🤪 is a bad combination. My first "thought" was I'd completely destroyed the fantastic customized classic😭.

An early, adjustable trigger variant in excellent condition, I've invested no small amount of time and frustration🤬 in not only attaching the scope base, but machining a (slightly longer) replacement barrel for the original barrel that, for who knows why or how, was completely devoid of any rifling whatsoever.

Thankfully the top-strap suffered no damage other than the stripped threads. And thankfully this kind of BONE-HEAD move is why God invented Helicoil thread repair kits... (through a surrogate, of course). And in yet another happy coincidence:D, thankfully I uncovered the correct Helicoil kit in my mountains of hoarded junk.

Correction- The correct Helicoil kit was located in its proper place among my meticulously inventoried, catalogued, and arranged inventory of gunsmithing parts, tools, and equipment🤥... Right next to File 13.:ROFLMAO:

The aluminum top-strap tapped beautifully to receive the stainless-steel threaded inserts, resulting in a vast improvement over the pre-APEd threaded holes.🤯 Re-installation of the mount and scope went just as well.

Helicoiled holes.jpg


Despite gale-force gusting winds, of course I couldn't wait to sight her back in. That also went better than could be expected in such improbable conditions. Five consecutive three-shot groups at 25 yards averaged 1.44" c-t-c; the best measured just .60". Not quite as good accuracy as she usually achieves, but entirely forgivable given the hideous winds.

She's back; better than ever!

Custom 78G.jpg
 
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Robo, I used the rear screw hole (that anchors the barrel) as my rear scope-base hole, now #10-32 TPI thread. But under the 10-32 scope base screw is a shorter 10-32 allen screw anchoring the barrel. The scope base screw is actually the perfect length to not only anchor the base, but lock the barrel-anchor screw as well.

Okay Steve, you forced a true confessions. I have several Japanese-made Thompson Center pistol scopes (3X and 2-7X). The 3X on the 78G isn't as clear as a couple other identical models I have, so I was trying to adjust the rear objective (bell). When I couldn't even break loose th lock-ring from the bell I employed channel-lock pliers with leather padding on the lock-ring, holding the pistol with my other hand. Suffice to say the lock-ring never broke loose... but the base threads did!:oops::eek:🤬😭

The scope remains unmarked, unfazed, and still works fine (other than the less-than-sharp cross-hairs at Co2 ranges). I just finished re-sighting it in; actually getting the best average accuracy I've gotten with this 78G (in very gusty winds again, no less).

78G 1.25 at 25.jpg


She likes 14.3 grain JSB Express, and gets 460 FPS in scorching Texas heat.
 
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