Saddle Ring on the X

[jrc111]

Hi! Just bought a X in 45 Colt, and want to put a saddle ring on it. Before I get shot down, I will use the rifle riding a horse, and I found a Rossi R92 with saddle ring with a one-point bungee sling works pretty well with a scabbard. But, saddle rings are not for everyone. Though they’re pretty handy for some folks.

Anyway, where’s thick enough metal on the Big Boy receiver to drill and tap a 1/4 x 30 TPI screw hole out of the way of the action, preferably below the bolt but towards the top? Has anybody done this?

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[RanchRoper]

I'd be nervous using a saddle ring, but that's just my opinion. Here's how I pack my saddle gun, safe & secure and easy to get at. Good luck.

Welcome to the forum by the way!

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[JEBar]

first, welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us .... congrats on the purchase of your X-45 .... I recall a couple of threads addressing the removal of a saddle ring, but none about an aftermarket install .... without knowing anything about your level of expertise in this area, I'd recommend you consult a gunsmith .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add your Henry to our community's total


http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 13#p157513

[Sir Henry]

Welcome to the forum. I say go for it.

[Travlin]

I hope that you don't have to send your rifle back to H.R.A. for any repair work. They could say" owner altered rifle not covered".

[jstanfield103]

For me, I am no expert or Gunsmith. But I would think that wherever you put it should not interfere with the action. If it does go in to far file the excess of the ring threads till it is not protruding and then use some Red Loctite

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum from CT. You should probably call Henry CS and talk with someone about it. I'd be concerned about voiding the warranty, too. Best to ask first. A scabbard like RanchRoper's should serve you well.

Link to Henry CS contacts:
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 127#p70193

[jrc111]

Thanks for the comments!

Re warranty; I don’t plan on messing with the rifle untill all the kinks are out. Talking to rifle manufacturer’s about modifications is a great way to learn how corporations say “no”.

As regards scabbard packing, I usually put the rifle on the left side, buttstock forward. Generally getting off the left side, it’s there next to my right hand to deploy, when I get off. It’s also possible to reach over to the left and pull the rifle out with your right hand while mounted if you have it vertical enough. Downside: the scabbard can get caught up in heavy brush, and if the horse rears, you can get butt-stroked (of course, the horses head can hit you as well).

Here’s a good video of mounted sling use:

https://youtu.be/nGaiIWdMFbc

The X should be better than the Rossi as the M-Lok on the forestock will allow me to detach one hook from the saddle ring and hook it to a sling swivel there, making for a more stable platform.


“ For me, I am no expert or Gunsmith. But I would think that wherever you put it should not interfere with the action. If it does go in to far file the excess of the ring threads till it is not protruding and then use some Red Loctite”

Concur!

[RanchRoper]

I tried the left side but it’s in my way. I push cows in the mountains and bush so butt forward won’t work either.

Hope you get it figured out. Good luck.

[jrc111]

“ I tried the left side but it’s in my way. I push cows in the mountains and bush so butt forward won’t work either.”

If it’s in the way, it’s in the way!

Down here in Oklahoma, the only significant brush we have are Mesquite, Bois d’Arc (horse apples) and blackberries, all of which I will go around, rather than thru (all are very prickly - the horse apple trees have big thorns that can put you or your horses eye out). In CO, where we go in the summer, we’re near the top of the pine forest tree line, and there’s not much brush, either.

[RanchRoper]

Saddle ring looks cool for sure. Old timey.

[JEBar]

make sure not to locate it where you would have to drill into one of the grooves Henry machines into the receiver to a accommodate various parts

[jrc111]

In the absence of other info, I plan on disemboweling the receiver after I’ve got a few hundred rounds thru it, and using a pair of calipers to find a quiet, thick spot that can tolerate a 1/4” diameter screw.

And yes, they look cool and old-timey!

[jrc111]

Got ‘r done:

[JEBar]

congrats .... nicely done indeed

[Sir Henry]

Nice job

[Vaquero]

Great job, looks professional.
I did my H001, but that was easy.
I just took the cover off then drilled and taped it.

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RP

[jrc111]

Thx!

[John E Davies]

How hard was it to tap that hole, and did you need to use cutting oil? Where did you find that special 1/4”x30 tap? I found this one, but the price seems a little steep.

https://www.victornet.com/detail/TAST-1/4-30.html

Thanks,

John Davies
Spokane WA

[jrc111]

Ha! That’s less than I paid! (Although shipping was included) I also used one of these, clamped to the receiver, so I could use a hand drill. The receiver metal isn’t super hard, and drilled easily. I used an old can of Tap Magic, but any lubricant helps your bits and taps last longer. I found a nifty formula (in inches) to calculate the final drill size, as it wasn’t printed on the drill bit:

Diameter - .975/TPI = .250 - .975/30 and chose the closest next higher size in my drill bit quiver.