Mann Accuracy Device Project Starts

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Well, as I mentioned before, I got my Mann Accuracy Device in .30 Carbine, and I have started my "no permanent alterations" project to make it a more "practical" shooter.

First, here's what it looked like when I got it.



A pretty typical Device.  But where to go from here?   Well, I guess it needs sights.  Lessee, this it, technically, a Remington 03-A3 so...

 

 

I found a genuine GI rear sight and installed it where it belongs.  I actually think it looks kinda cool there.

So what's next?   Well, I found on e-bay, of all places, a guy selling 3 03-A3 stocks for $100 bucks.  All have been sporterized to an extent, so I won't feel bad about cutting them to fit this.  I will of course leave the buttstock on.   If it'll fit, I'll cut the stock to go out to where the barrel gets fatter.

After that?   Well, I will not dovetail a front sight into the barrel.   What ever changes I make, must make no unreversable alterations.  So, what will I do for a front sight?  I honestly am not sure.  The only idea I have at the moment is maybe some kind of a ring that can clamp to the barrel that I can mount a sight on?

And who knows, since I'll have two more stocks to work with gathering dust, maybe if this comes out as good as I hope it will, I will someday get a second Device in .30-'06 so the magazine will work.   As it is, this one in .30 Carbine is just a really fancy single shot.  (As far as I can tell!)

Any suggestions on a front sight solution?

[Rip Snorter]

Adjustable stainless pipe strap with some rubber under.

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

use a set of scope rings to go around the barrel , then mod the base to hold a sight blade 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

What is the barrel diameter at the muzzle?

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Looks to be between 1-2/16th and 1-3/16th inches.   I can't find my caliper, so I had to use a tape measure across the muzzle.

 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

I think the problem you’re going to run into is the front sight is going to be super short. If you’re going to leave it .30 Carbine, with such little recoil, I would find one of the scope bases that you drift onto the rear sight dovetail. It was designed to drill and tap the front receiver ring. Instead I would use epoxy or green locktite and a small scope.

[DeaconKC]

I wonder if you could silver solder a front base on it so that you could then later un-solder it?

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

7 hours ago, DeaconKC said:

I wonder if you could silver solder a front base on it so that you could then later un-solder it?

Possibly, but I don't wanna go down that road.  Switching it back should entail nothing more than  loosening some screws to remove things and sliding the rear sight back off.

Oh, and thank you to whoever moved this to the Saloon.   I meant post it here, and went on the Wire by mistake.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Here's the latest....



Looking more like a rifle, sort of. 

I think the front sight will probably be something mounted on a scope ring that can clamp on and off.  Just have to find one that fits.

First time I shouldered it like this, I found myself thinking, "This is wicked cool!"

Gonna be a nice plinker in .30 Carbine when it's done.

And then, I'll start thinking about finding one in .30-'06 and putting a 1903A4 scope on it.   Maybe.   Time will tell.   

[Subdeacon Joe]

You don't want no steeenking scope!

 

https://www.grayssportingjournal.com/sight-seeing/

 

"Typical Stevens sights from around 1900. "

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

And the final result of the project is ready to be shared.



And now it looks like a rifle again!



The "front sight."  It's basically a ring with a picatinny rail attached and clamped to the barrel.   Then, the sight is attached to the rail.   Although the sight itself is plastic, to me, it looks "right" somehow.



In other words, I like it.

It was a fun project, and while it is front heavy, and just plain heavy, you can shoulder it.   I look forward to taking it to the range and seeing how accurate it is.

And, the idea of getting another one in 7.62 Nato or .30-'06 is in my mind.   Time will tell.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this project unfurl as much as I did sharing it.

[Doc Shapiro]

The rear sight looks awful low for that front sight.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

1 hour ago, Doc Shapiro said:

The rear sight looks awful low for that front sight.

The protectors make it look taller than it is.   But, the post can be lowered, and if need be, the rear can be raised a little.  I'll look into getting a .30 carbine bore laser sight and adjust it maybe 100 yards.  Or actually, since I see this more as a plinker than anything else, maybe to 25.