UTG scope rings

[Rich_S]

I just got done installing a picatinny rail and a pair of UTG scope rings on a Mini-30.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HIEJOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00345AHSS/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought them from Amazon with nothing to go by except the reviews on the site. I'd never heard of the UTG brand before, until a guy at Welcher's told me they were known for making scope hardware for paintball and airsoft.

The rings were as good a quality as any I've ever installed. If they perform as good as they installed and look, I expect they will be great. The machining and appearance are excellent. They sure look better than the Ruger rings which are over twice the price.

BTW, I don't have any association with these products other than as a buyer.

[pianoman9701]

What's the tube width of your scope? Is it 30mm? I've been looking at these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676390-USA/Vortex_TRH_Tactical_30_mm_Riflescope.html

[Rich_S]

The Weaver I'm using is a 1" tube. The fit and finish of the rings are impeccable. The bottom half of the rings do have a thin, clear layer of scope mounting tape pre-applied to the inside. It is not a double-backed tape. It just has sticky on the ring side of the tape.

I see they also sell a 30 mm size.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Strength-Picatinny-6-Screw-Profile/dp/B004HIEJPI/ref=pd_sim_sg_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z1HPA25B1DGJKXD0E3G

[pianoman9701]

Thanks. I ordered them. The Vortex rings I had ordered were out of stock.

[Rich_S]

Pianoman - when you get them, let me know if you share my opinion. I believe that today I'm going to mark the excess material, then take the rail off and remove the excess. No sense carrying it around for the life of the rifle.

I'm also going to replace the allen head set screws on the rail with spline headed, higher grade screws. The ones that came with it don't seem to be the best. I don't like the way the allen wrench fits. That's just on the rail, though. The ring screws are fine.

I'm also going to add a tiny squirt of thread locker to the rail screws. I really like the way the quick-release lever/cams on the rings works.

[pianoman9701]

If you're locking them down anyway, why upgrade the rail screws? Thanks for the info.

[Rich_S]

I'm afraid the extra torque required to remove them, after the thread lock dries, might strip out the hex. The allen wrench only goes into the socket about 1/16".

[pianoman9701]

Heat the screw with a match briefly and the locktite should release.