So,
I posted awhile ago about having a Larue OBR 7.62 and a Larue 700 short action rail, and my attempts to mount an SSG-P scope.
For those that are not familiar with the Hensoldt SSG-P, it has a built in clamping mechanism so that it does NOT require scope rings; the scope mounts directly to a rail system.
The following rails worked without issue:
- Badger Ordnance 700 SA rail
- Warne 700 SA rail
- TRG-42 rail from Near Manufacturing
- TRG-42 lower rail appliance (for testing only)
- Various A3 configuration AR-15s (except Larue)
- AR-57 Upper
The following did now work:
- Larue mono-piece 30 MOA OBR rail
- Larue 700 SA rail
- Larue AR-15 upper
Now, I got all sorts of responses. Most of them were helpful; some of them are things like "you're doing it wrong." Obviously, it's pretty difficult to mis-attach an integrated quick attach mount on a standard picatinny rail / NATO rail system when there ONE throw lever.
I measured EVERYTHING, and eventually found out that the Larue dimensions we slight smaller than other rails. (This was confirmed when it was mentioned that ELCANs can have a similar issues on Larue products.)
Today, after many attempts to contact Carl Zeiss Optics in VA, I decided to take a closer look at the clamping mechanism.
I had assumed that it used a heavy duty spring to ensure proper clamping force. However, when I removed the opposing rail clamp (that part the moves to lock onto the rail), I found out that the only thing being used are 5mm x .5mm washers.
I was able to pull out one washer, and put in a 5mm x 1mm washer, and then adjust the scope clamp to hold the Larue OBR rail.
So, the procedure (which is not documented anywhere I can find) for adjusting an SSG-P quick release / attach scope for non-standard spec rail is:
1) Back out the slotted retaining screw to the left of moving rail clamp until is flush with the unibody of the scope housing
2) Remove the nut that partially retains / moves the rail clamp, along with its washer (its the only nut visable on the scope)
3) Carefully pull out the lynch pin that the clamp rotates on until the rail clamp comes loose, but the pin does not come out of the scope body
4) [You will now have the rail clamp, the ball joint, and possibly a few .5mm thick washers in your hand]
5) To ADD clamping pressure, if there is no more adjustment available using the nut (by backing it out counter clockwise), you need to ADD .5mm washers or take out .5mm washers and add 1mm (x 5mm) washers
6) To LOWER clamping pressure, you simply remove washers; I'd say that you probably would only ever need to remove one
7) Install everything, and then check the clamping pressure on the rail with the lug fully forward before engaging the clamp
8) Once you have things adjusted, remove the nut, carefully apply JUST ENOUGH BLUE LOCTITE to the THREADS of the nut, and reinstall it
The SSG-P now fits on either of the Larue rails I have.
The down side, any OTHER rail use would require me to change out the spacer I just added.
...and that's the story.
GB
I posted awhile ago about having a Larue OBR 7.62 and a Larue 700 short action rail, and my attempts to mount an SSG-P scope.
For those that are not familiar with the Hensoldt SSG-P, it has a built in clamping mechanism so that it does NOT require scope rings; the scope mounts directly to a rail system.
The following rails worked without issue:
- Badger Ordnance 700 SA rail
- Warne 700 SA rail
- TRG-42 rail from Near Manufacturing
- TRG-42 lower rail appliance (for testing only)
- Various A3 configuration AR-15s (except Larue)
- AR-57 Upper
The following did now work:
- Larue mono-piece 30 MOA OBR rail
- Larue 700 SA rail
- Larue AR-15 upper
Now, I got all sorts of responses. Most of them were helpful; some of them are things like "you're doing it wrong." Obviously, it's pretty difficult to mis-attach an integrated quick attach mount on a standard picatinny rail / NATO rail system when there ONE throw lever.
I measured EVERYTHING, and eventually found out that the Larue dimensions we slight smaller than other rails. (This was confirmed when it was mentioned that ELCANs can have a similar issues on Larue products.)
Today, after many attempts to contact Carl Zeiss Optics in VA, I decided to take a closer look at the clamping mechanism.
I had assumed that it used a heavy duty spring to ensure proper clamping force. However, when I removed the opposing rail clamp (that part the moves to lock onto the rail), I found out that the only thing being used are 5mm x .5mm washers.
I was able to pull out one washer, and put in a 5mm x 1mm washer, and then adjust the scope clamp to hold the Larue OBR rail.
So, the procedure (which is not documented anywhere I can find) for adjusting an SSG-P quick release / attach scope for non-standard spec rail is:
1) Back out the slotted retaining screw to the left of moving rail clamp until is flush with the unibody of the scope housing
2) Remove the nut that partially retains / moves the rail clamp, along with its washer (its the only nut visable on the scope)
3) Carefully pull out the lynch pin that the clamp rotates on until the rail clamp comes loose, but the pin does not come out of the scope body
4) [You will now have the rail clamp, the ball joint, and possibly a few .5mm thick washers in your hand]
5) To ADD clamping pressure, if there is no more adjustment available using the nut (by backing it out counter clockwise), you need to ADD .5mm washers or take out .5mm washers and add 1mm (x 5mm) washers
6) To LOWER clamping pressure, you simply remove washers; I'd say that you probably would only ever need to remove one
7) Install everything, and then check the clamping pressure on the rail with the lug fully forward before engaging the clamp
8) Once you have things adjusted, remove the nut, carefully apply JUST ENOUGH BLUE LOCTITE to the THREADS of the nut, and reinstall it
The SSG-P now fits on either of the Larue rails I have.
The down side, any OTHER rail use would require me to change out the spacer I just added.
...and that's the story.
GB
