Author Topic: Front sight hole on TC 24" barrel (Read 1032 times)

Ricochet · « **on:** November 22, 2004, 05:52:57 PM »

Recently purchased a Thompson Encore with a 24" .270 barrel. I took the front and rear iron sights off and am planning on putting a scope atop. Anyway, could someone help in providing me with the size of the front sight hole that's in the top of the barrel? I'm guessing either 8-40 or 10-32. For sure it's not 6-48 (as are the two rear sight holes). I used the existing scope base mount screws to plug up the two rear sight holes and the 6-48 plug screws just drop in the front sight hole. I 'spose my next step is to call Thompson direct and ask them; they'd surely know. But thought I'd just ask here first. Thanks in advance.

Cuz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:09:18 AM »

Call TC and they will send you 2 slave screws for your 'hole'. I believe I paid $5 for the slave screws on my Omega. Will be only in blue, they do not carry, or did not when I called, the stainless.

Thompson/Center Arms Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 5002
Rochester, NH 03866

you can call at: 603-332-2333

hope this helps,

Cuz

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:17:53 AM »

The screws that you removed will give you the size. Take them to a gun shop and see what they have. Most sights use the 6-48 screw size, sometimes the 8-40.. If the local gunshop or gunsmith can't help perhaps a machine shop. They usually carry a wide selection of screw sizes and if you take the screws you removed in they can determine the size for you. Bownells should also be able to help. They have a toll free number for their technical support folks. -- 1-800-741-0015 --and ask for tech support..

james · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2004, 09:03:20 AM »

I filled the front sight hole on a .223 with a black or dark blue crayon. The barrel is blued and it is hard to see the screw hole. The wax is water proof and so far I haven't got the barrel hot enough to melt it out. I think it will be easy to remove with a little heat. The receiver plugs were too long for the front sight screw holes on my Rem BDL 700. It was a temporary fix but has become permnant since I see no reason to install a plug that will be more visable than the wax.
James

Steelbanger · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2004, 10:33:50 AM »

I got screws that fit the Encore front sight hole from my local gun shop. They're the same size as Marlin uses in their scope mount holes.

Ricochet · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 02:29:41 PM »

Thanks for all the input/suggestions. I did take the front screw down to my local gun shop and lo-n-behold he had a mini-drawer FULL of slave screws some in stainless but most in blued. Anyway, he also had a small bar with three tapped holes to determine size. Found out that the front sight screw is a 8-40 (rear ones were 6-48) and sure enough there happened to be 1 lone 8-40 slave screw in the mix in stainless no less. Cost me a quarter :-) So now I put some blue locktite on it and it's drying as I type. Thanks for your input. Now, hopefully tomorrow my new stainless scope will arrive and I'll head out to the range this weekend for some target practice. Can't wait to give this new Encore a whirl.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2004, 03:29:38 AM »

Just a note of caution, putting locktite on plug screws is not a good idea. They rarely work loose and really hold nothing. The heads have little strength and are easily sheared.