Rifle Sling Swivels Help?

Mennoniteman

Mennoniteman

Well-Known Member
Anyone have issues with basic sling swivel studs that thread into a stock and have to be turned in line with the stock right as they get tight?
I have a Sako A7 300wsm rifle with their Tecomate composite stock and stainless sling swivels with 10-32 threads that keep turning loose, and I'm scared to turn them any tighter for fear that I can't go another half turn to line up the swivels with the stock again/ or might strip them out. Are these threaded into the composite only or is there a steel collar embedded in the stock? Should I use loctite on the threads? If so, what kind of loctite? Is there a stainless swivel with 10-32 threads I could buy that's made to rotate freely after tightening? Any gunsmithing input or other ideas appreciated.
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Blue "Loctite" sparingly.
Clean the hole the stud screws into and the stud with a fast drying cleaner such as lighter fluid or "Brakleen" to remove any oil or lubricant.
If you are having difficulty getting the stud straight and tight at the same time you might try finding a small black plastic washer to act as a shim so the stud will align more easily. The washer could be trimmed for a nice fit.
 
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MM, those threads look like they need a nut on the other end. The threads for a direct screw-in would look more like wood screw threads. That’s the forearm stud......right ?
 
Letmgrow said:
Blue "Loctite" sparingly.
Clean the hole the stud screws into and the stud with a fast drying cleaner such as lighter fluid or "Brakleen" to remove any oil or lubricant.
If you are having difficulty getting the stud straight and tight at the same time you might try finding a small black plastic washer to act as a shim so the stud will align more easily. The washer could be trimmed for a nice fit.
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No, the studs thread into the hole beautifully, there's no looseness yet. Thanks for your help.
 
Mennoniteman said:
No, the studs thread into the hole beautifully, there's no looseness yet. Thanks for your help.
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Perhaps you misunderstood the use of the washer. The stud might tighten down against the washer so the stud lines up properly so the sling can be attached without over tightening the stud and risk stripping the threads.
 
Letmgrow said:
Perhaps you misunderstood the use of the washer. The stud might tighten down against the washer so the stud lines up properly so the sling can be attached without over tightening the stud and risk stripping the threads.
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If that’s the buttstock, then this ^^^^^^
 
How does that go? I ain't no gunsmith but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
I know what I want to say but getting it onto paper (or a computer screen) so someone else understands it is often a problem.
That does look like a metal insert in the stock which is threaded to accept the stud.
 
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Letmgrow said:
How does that go? I ain't no gunsmith but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
I know what I want to say but getting it onto paper (or a computer screen) so someone else understands it is often a problem.
That does look like a metal insert in the stock which is threaded to accept the stud.
Click to expand...
I got the washer concept now, great idea. You meant add a thin plastic washer for a spacer so that the swivel is perpendicular to the stock when it gets tight.
 
Right. Sorry I wasn't clear the first time. I'd still use a dab of blue "Loctite". You can buy small packets of "Loctite" in most auto parts stores rather than open a more expensive bottle just to have it dry up. In a pinch I have used some of my wife's clear nail polish to lock threads when mounting scopes. This might work on your stud's threads also.
Happy Thanksgiving
Lynn
 
I was told by a gunsmith, many years ago, that the studs are supposed to swivel easily. In fact, he recommended that they be cleaned and a bit of graphite be put on the threads so they can turn easily without squeaking. That way, the sling will move to fit the arm when sighting the rifle for a shot and conform better.
 
Jack Terpack said:
I was told by a gunsmith, many years ago, that the studs are supposed to swivel easily. In fact, he recommended that they be cleaned and a bit of graphite be put on the threads so they can turn easily without squeaking. That way, the sling will move to fit the arm when sighting the rifle for a shot and conform better.
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Some swivels are machined in two pieces to allow them to rotate while being screwed in tight. I'd think using threads for a bearing surface to turn on might eventually loosen the threads if the gun is used a lot? Esp if a teenager is using it and allows the stud to loosen multiple rotations without noticing.
 
I have a couple guns with swivel type sling mounts but they are designed that way. The fore end mount swivels but the stud on the stock is stationary.
 
As long as the sling is on, the swivel should not be able to rotate all that much. I have had the same sling on my Weatherby since 1976 and it is only off to clean once in a great while and the swivels have never come out. The mount on the front is very loose and swivels very easily. The one on my stock has a rubber O-ring under it but still swivels. Both are simply screwed into a metal stud within the stock.
 
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