Finally got around to modifying the inner block that the saber tactical cheek rest bolts onto so I can finally install the Ernest Rowe/K&L pellet probe clamp block.
it’s a known fact that the beefy pellet probe block is NOT compatible with the ST cheek rest due to the probe blocks taller design due to the addition of the M5 clamp bolt. ST does nice design work and I had to get past the thought of doing a chop chop to get that probe block to work.
Benefits of that probe block in case you don’t have one? Well, the factory block has one grub screw, a tiny one at that, that holds the pellet probe in place. If you’re not careful and know to look for it, that grub screw can work itself loose over time and cause a floppy pellet probe which in turn will affect accuracy or mag load difficulty’s.
Whats worse yet is if you thought you could fix that by applying locktite, and you go to loosen it for a probe upgrade or a caliber change you round off the allen head socket. Tip on tiny grub screws- use vibra tite instead. If you round off that grub screw good luck trying to use any EZ out tools on it. You might as well invest in a new probe carrier along with a new probe!
I noticed a few times while shooting the other day that my Huma pin probe somehow would miss chambering a pellet. I carefully looked at the probe thru the mag slot as I cycled the bolt and saw too much fluff for my liking. I understand a little bit(I mean a little) bit of slop up/down and side 2 side is acceptable as depending on a magazines manufacture, the spring tension, hole alignment, etc., that tiny bit of slop will help to self center the probe to be concentric with the magazine’s holes and the center of bore. But mine was a bit too much for my liking, so as a plus to this ST cheek rest mod, if I did it right, it would add support to the new probe holder throughout its movement in the cocking cycle.
furst thing I had to do after doing careful measuring(I wanted to add that I took a lot of time with the planning stage as I knew this wasn’t a part I could call on Donny for to just buy the block. I had one shot to get it right, and if I muffed it up I’d have to buy a whole new cheek riser kit) was to drill and tap two new M5 threaded holes for the two adjustment screws that are responsible for adjusting the cheek rest. Once done, out came my craftsman wand connected to my craftsman rotary tool and I chopped off the required material just enough to clear the new probe block-
As soon as I checked the fit up and saw all was good, I did a wipe down on that chopped block with acetone and after it dried applied some Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black to restore the look of the anodize.
The gap between the bottom of the new probe block to the top of the modified ST block is there but so so very slight, that when I applied some gun grease between the two the cushion of grease makes that slide between the two buttery smooth, and while cycling the bolt back and forth I noticed the probe much more horizontal as it’s now supported throughout the cocking cycle over a thin film of gun grease, and no more excess slop on the pellet probe!!!
so the mod was a success, and I’ll never have to concern myself with the worry of the pellet probe getting loose on me. And, as icing on the cake, my cheek rest is still fully height adjustable.
Done deal, and off my list, ha ha!