can I drill and tap my shotgun reciever?

[ivers]

I recently bought a semi-auto shotgun, and I was thinking of useing a scope for deer hunting.  Unfortunatly the reciever is not pre drilled and tapped.  I wouldn't take on the task, but my father is a vetren machineist.  So I wanted to see if it was a good Idea before I presented him with the problem.  I would appriciate anyone shedding some light on this for me.

[Iowegan]

If your receiver is steel then it should work OK.  Alloy receivers may present a problem with stripped threads or screws that wont stay tight.  Use a magnet if in doubt.  I have mounted scopes and quite a few red dot sights on shotguns by drilling, tapping and mounting a Weaver type base. Instead of the normal 6X48 threads, I used 8X40 and haven't had one come loose yet. Be careful to use screws that don't protrude into the action.

If you haven't already done so, take a look at Red Dot sights. They work quite well on shotguns. Wide field of view, excellent in low light, good out to 100 yds, variable brightness dot, short, light, and the best part is; because they don't magnify, there is no such thing as eye relief.  If you do choose a scope, make sure it has extended eye relief or you'll come home with a black eye.

[gunnut69]

Also some of the Browning A5 lightweights are so thin there is almost nothing there to thread..  I know, I know  you wouldn't tap an A5 but heh!  Iowegian covered everthing so well there was nothing left!!

[savageT]

If you find your receiver is an alloy of non-ferrous metals (hah?) think about going with a saddle mount like B-Square makes that don't require gunsmith mounting. I have one with a Tasco Red-Dot on my Ithaca m37.

Jim

[ivers]

thanks guys! I appriciate the help now I know what to look for. I don't think I'll get to it right away, but thanks a bunch anyhow.