T/C New Englander Scope Rail

[concretus]

Hello,
First I want to say that if this subject I’m inquiring about goes against any forum rules, I apologize and will withdraw the post….
I have a T/C New Englander with the Thompson factory peep sight. It’s a great set up but I was considering for hunting season to place a red dot optic on it. I did not want to drill and tap the barrel for a rail. Is there a mount out there that has the same hole spacing as the factory rear sight? It just has to be long enough to accommodate the rds…Any information would be greatly appreciated… Thanks

 

[ord sgt]

Zonie, want to answer this one?

 

[deermanok]

They have a one piece mount for the Renegade and Hawkin. Not sure if it will fit the New Englander.

 

[concretus]

I did speak to a gal at Thompson Center this morning. She said she looked in the database and was unable to locate anything… She said my best bet was to look on eBay…

 

[bubba.50]

They made one for the New Englander. I’ve given away several over the years. Like the ones for Renegades & Hawkens they used the hole over the breechplug and the rear sight holes to mount them. Unfortunately they haven’t been made in years and as othhers have said, ebay and similar places are about your only option. You might also put a want to buy as many places as you can.

 

[concretus]

Thanks, I’ll do that…

 

[deermanok]

Looks like there's some mounts for sale now on Ebay. If you Google vintage scope mounts for your rifle, you should find for sale.

 

[Mark Herman]

You could take a scope base and JB it it onto the barrel. After hunting season just remove it and clean the barrel. Leave the sights in place.

 

[concretus]

Just curious; What is the center to center spacing of the holes that mount the factory rear sight on the New Englander?

 

[excess650]

I HAD the mount for a Grey Hawk. It was a mount that used the rear sight and breech screws to attach to the barrel, and a Weaver type base on top of that.

The tang sights bring good $$.

 

[concretus]

Well I think I’ve got something that will work…. Picked up a Weaver # 410 rail; the space between the two sets of screws line up perfectly over the rear sight holes. Snugged the mount screws, marked the rail to accommodate the rds and cut it… A little touch up semi-gloss black and good to go… I’ll secure it w/ loctite and 20inch lbs of torque… The cheek weld is a little higher than the peep sight but it should be fine for the woods…

 

[Scota@4570]

Do not use red Loctite, use blue, or none. IF the base does not fit the barrel contour, put a snake of epoxy putty between them. When you snug the screws you will have a perfect fit after it dries. You can heat the barrel to loosen the epoxy later. Or, wax the barrel. You can tap it and it will come off. It will be like having a perfectly machined base.

 

[excess650]

Personally, I would keep the tang peep and add a god bead front or fiber optic front at most. The gun will be lighter, less bulky, and not dependent on batteries.