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Picatinny Rail for X Model

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MarkB
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Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:19 pm

Does anyone know of a low Picatinny rail with a groove along the centerline so the factory sights may be used when just the rail is mounted on an X Model .357 receiver?
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Mags
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by Mags » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:43 pm

.
A suggestion starting with this older topic post.
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... te#p111155

Which then takes you to this older topic post.
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 10#p109674
MarkB wrote:
Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:19 pm
Does anyone know of a low Picatinny rail with a groove along the centerline so the factory sights may be used when just the rail is mounted on an X Model .357 receiver?
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UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234

John E Davies
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by John E Davies » Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:01 pm

Ranger Point rail..... it may or may not work well with your rear fire sight, depending on how high up you have it adjusted, I have not fired my X .44 Mag yet. It is a VERY nice rail, significantly lower than the Henry one. .... https://www.rangerpointstore.com/rhino- ... ry-rifles/ ...

They make a rail/ ghost ring combo for the other series Henrys, and they are reportedly working in one for the Big Boy guns, but who knows when that will be ready? the shorter length requires a full redesign. ... https://www.rangerpointstore.com/clover ... tinny-rail

This top pic is squashed, open it in a new tab to see the right one.
IMG_0737 copy.jpg
Rear sight is fully down in this pic (with it raised one full turn, it clears my scope by about 1/16" and I can see the two green dots):

IMG_0741 copy.jpg
IMG_0754 copy.jpg


The scope is an older Leupold VX-1 3-7x33, 1 inch tube, 3.7-4.2" eye relief, low Warne QD rings. It is a wonderful setup, tho a little heavy.

John Davies
Spokane WA
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Last edited by John E Davies on Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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MarkB
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:18 pm

My thought is to use a red dot with a QD mount that I can quickly detach from the rail and then use the factory sights with just the rail on the receiver. Thanks for the link. I dropped a note to Ranger to see if I can use the factory sights with their rail mounted.
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Fri Mar 27, 2020 1:43 pm

Kimberly from Ranger Point Precision has confirmed that their Picatinny rail will allow the use of the factory sights on the X Model when their rail is mounted on the X Model.

https://www.rangerpointstore.com/rhino- ... ry-rifles/
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:51 pm

P3310250.JPG
I received the Ranger Point rail today and it fit perfectly, however the sides of the inner groove interfere with the fiber optic rods of the rear sight. I modified the inner groove so the sides clear the fiber optic rods so they can be seen. Now I can use the factory Henry optic sights with the rail mounted. This will allow me to mount a red dot or scope with a QD mount so I can remove the failed red dot or scope and use the factory sights rapidly.
P3310249.JPG
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John E Davies
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by John E Davies » Mon Mar 30, 2020 6:52 pm

MarkB wrote:
Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:51 pm
I modified the inner groove so the sides clear the fiber optic rods so they can be seen. Now I can use the factory Henry optic sights with the rail mounted.
I really like that, did you use a mill? How did you touch up the raw aluminum? Please let them know at RP - maybe they will start making them this way.

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Mon Mar 30, 2020 7:49 pm

I've already told RP about the mod and sent them the two photos. I just used a Dremel tool and a vise to grind down each edge. Then I used Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black and some oil after washing off the aluminum black. It was easy and just took a little time. Just be careful to leave a little of the top edge so whatever you attach has something to sit on.
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John E Davies
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by John E Davies » Mon Mar 30, 2020 10:58 pm

I am inspired. I don’t have a mill but I do have a floor drill press and machinists vise. I bet it would be dead simple to build a small mounting fixture, screw the rail to it, and make some passes with a cutter to duplicate your hand work. I am not sure I trust myself to not screw it up with a handheld grinder.

Can you tell me about what angle you ended up with? It appears to be around 45 degrees.

https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H2962-L ... B0000DD4CE

Nice job....!

John Davies
Spokane WA
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Re: Picatinny Rail for X Model

Post by MarkB » Tue Mar 31, 2020 4:35 pm

I estimated 45 degrees or so when I ground the edges. With your setup you may want to increase the angle to more vertical to get even more clearance. Just keep a small edge on the top for the red dot or scope to sit on. You'll be able to make it a little better looking with a your equipment.
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