3x20 Scope Base - Page 1

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Posted: 5/21/2017 2:47:51 PM EDT

I won this on GunBroker a few days ago. I put in what I was willing to pay and hoped and hoped that someone would outbid me, but no one did.

It's an earlier version with thin crosshairs and a thick inverted post. Anyways, it's missing the base. I'm not new to these scopes and I know that I could buy a cheaper made scope and scavenge the parts I need, but the bases on those may not have the same dimensions. The question is, does anyone know, on a very off chance, where to find parts for these? From someone who has dropped theirs or damaged it in some other form I'm hoping. I doubt I'll ever use it, but I would like it complete. I guess I'm starting a little Hakko scope collection. I'm into all of them very cheap, so I can't complain. The one in the last photo is my favorite.

Attached File

Posted: 5/21/2017 5:45:30 PM EDT

[#1]

I do not, but best of luck.

Posted: 5/21/2017 8:23:31 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
I do not, but best of luck.

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Thanks

Posted: 5/21/2017 9:27:27 PM EDT

[#3]

I was bidding against you and git tied up with something toward the end and missed getting back in to bid. I would have gone around $150. Would I have won?

Rob

Posted: 5/21/2017 9:50:06 PM EDT

[#4]

That's the first time I have seen serial numbers on Colt scopes. Of course I have not pulled the bases off mine. I wonder if they can tell us when they were made like the Armalite scopes do?

Posted: 5/21/2017 9:54:57 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was bidding against you and git tied up with something toward the end and missed getting back in to bid. I would have gone around $150. Would I have won?

Rob

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Yes

$140 was my highest.

Posted: 5/21/2017 9:55:55 PM EDT

[#6]

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Quoted:
That's the first time I have seen serial numbers on Colt scopes. Of course I have not pulled the bases off mine. I wonder if they can tell us when they were made like the Armalite scopes do?

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My 4x20 doesn't have a number beneath the base. It doesn't have to be pulled off to see underneath.

Posted: 5/21/2017 10:46:54 PM EDT

[#7]

I had this same problem once. I think one of the knock off scope bases were close, but the big problem was the screws. It's a teeny tiny metric fine thread for the Japanese scopes that I couldn't find.

Posted: 5/21/2017 11:01:15 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I had this same problem once. I think one of the knock off scope bases were close, but the big problem was the screws. It's a teeny tiny metric fine thread for the Japanese scopes that I couldn't find.

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I'll check Fastenal for the screws. I'll remove one from one of the other scopes and try to match it.

Posted: 5/22/2017 12:54:41 AM EDT

[#9]

https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/658056_-ARCHIVED-THREAD----Restoring-a-retro-Colt-3x20-scope-anyone-.html&page=1

Read the third page of this thread for details on the screws. I had them made a while back.

"I received my final screws today and they are exact copied of the flat bottom screws. There are also tip bottom screws, but I did not send him one to blue print. I had thought it did not matter, but my scope requires one (which I already have) on the front right side. If someone requires the tip bottom screw, he is willing and able to make them. He just need an original the first time he makes it to create the blueprint. They cost $15 each or 4 for $48. You can order them directly from Scott Stonehill at [email protected] or through his website at http://www.customscrewsandmore.com/default.html"

Posted: 5/22/2017 10:14:47 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_123/658056_-ARCHIVED-THREAD----Restoring-a-retro-Colt-3x20-scope-anyone-.html&page=1

Read the third page of this thread for details on the screws. I had them made a while back.

"I received my final screws today and they are exact copied of the flat bottom screws. There are also tip bottom screws, but I did not send him one to blue print. I had thought it did not matter, but my scope requires one (which I already have) on the front right side. If someone requires the tip bottom screw, he is willing and able to make them. He just need an original the first time he makes it to create the blueprint. They cost $15 each or 4 for $48. You can order them directly from Scott Stonehill at [email protected] or through his website at http://www.customscrewsandmore.com/default.html"

View Quote

I actually remember that thread. I'm reading through the whole thing again now. Thanks

Posted: 5/22/2017 11:00:36 AM EDT

[#11]

You might luck out and find a base but who knows how long that will take. Looking at the serial numbers on the bottom of the Colt scope it looks to be mfg in 1969 in the 10,000 range. The ArmaLite AR-18/180 inverted post scopes 1,000 were mfg 67 and 2-3,000 more in 71 for the Costa Mesa and Howa rifles. By the time the Sterling AR-180 started mfg in 1975 the ArmaLite scopes were no longer numbered, I'm guessing 5-6,000 Haako cross hair scopes were produced for the Sterlings. In the early 1980s Hakko started mfg of 4x20 ArmaLite scopes but the order was cancelled and less than 20 of those scopes made their way to the USA years later. Depending on the time of the production run it appears the Colt and ArmaLite scopes were the same except for the markings and bases.

Posted: 5/22/2017 11:56:48 AM EDT

[#12]

Are these the kinds of scopes that clamp on to the carry handle on retro ARs?

Steve

Posted: 5/22/2017 12:11:40 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
You might luck out and find a base but who knows how long that will take. Looking at the serial numbers on the bottom of the Colt scope it looks to be mfg in 1969 in the 10,000 range. The ArmaLite AR-18/180 inverted post scopes 1,000 were mfg 67 and 2-3,000 more in 71 for the Costa Mesa and Howa rifles. By the time the Sterling AR-180 started mfg in 1975 the ArmaLite scopes were no longer numbered, I'm guessing 5-6,000 Haako cross hair scopes were produced for the Sterlings. In the early 1980s Hakko started mfg of 4x20 ArmaLite scopes but the order was cancelled and less than 20 of those scopes made their way to the USA years later. Depending on the time of the production run it appears the Colt and ArmaLite scopes were the same except for the markings and bases.

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It's marked "3X20mm" like the AR-180 scopes, so that makes sense. Most of the others I've seen are marked either "3X20" or "4X20" only. Just eyeballing it and the 4X20 scope, it looks like the holes are in the same place and the base from that scope may fit this one, so hopefully they're all the same.

Posted: 5/22/2017 1:01:22 PM EDT

[#14]

Measure the scope tube, I believe 1.18" equals 30mm. If so you can use standard 30mm rings.

Finding a replacement original style base is going to be problematic.

There are lots of carry handle mounted scope rails that will accept 30mm rings. It will not be clone correct, but will function non the less.

Posted: 5/22/2017 3:25:05 PM EDT

[#15]

30/25.4mm per inch = 1.181"

Posted: 5/22/2017 10:24:16 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Measure the scope tube, I believe 1.18" equals 30mm. If so you can use standard 30mm rings.

Finding a replacement original style base is going to be problematic.

There are lots of carry handle mounted scope rails that will accept 30mm rings. It will not be clone correct, but will function non the less.

View Quote

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's not an option for me. As I said, I'll likely never really use it, but I would like it to be correct. No rush to find the correct parts.

Posted: 5/22/2017 10:55:32 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the suggestion, but that's not an option for me. As I said, I'll likely never really use it, but I would like it to be correct. No rush to find the correct parts.

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View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Measure the scope tube, I believe 1.18" equals 30mm. If so you can use standard 30mm rings.

Finding a replacement original style base is going to be problematic.

There are lots of carry handle mounted scope rails that will accept 30mm rings. It will not be clone correct, but will function non the less.

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's not an option for me. As I said, I'll likely never really use it, but I would like it to be correct. No rush to find the correct parts.

That is part of the fun, the chase of the parts!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 3x20 Scope Base

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