Remingtom M81 Front Sling Swivel Mounting
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:00 pm
The threaded sling swivel hole in my M81 barrel jacket is just a standard 10-32 NF size, and the engagement of the screw in the hole is just slightly more than three turns before the end of the screw touches the barrel.
The 10-32 NF screw seems to be standard for all front sling swivels that have the threaded and splined bushing that mounts in wood stock fore ends (I have several sling swivel sets, and checked this). All that would actually be needed to mount any front swivel with screw into the Remington threaded jacket hole is to cut the screw off so that only three threads protrude. That might require threading the unthreaded part of the screw shank further up toward the swivel first. That's no trick at all to do if you have a 10-32 NF threading die and die holder.
It may not be factory authentic, but it is possible to mount about any sling swivel set you may have onto your M81 barrel jacket and stock. I don't know if M8s have a threaded barrel jacket hole for a sling swivel or not.
If you do mount a swivel into the lower buttstock, they usually mount with a wood screw. Be EXTREMELY careful about how you drill the hole, as even though it appears to be a simple job, I've seen many messed-up sling swivel installations. Drill a hole smaller than the wood screw thread perpendicular to the slope of the lower wood surface, and don't rush it. Use a punch to make a starter hole before you drill. I suggest putting a piece of masking or duct tape over the wood where you intend to drill to protect it before you do anything.
The 10-32 NF screw seems to be standard for all front sling swivels that have the threaded and splined bushing that mounts in wood stock fore ends (I have several sling swivel sets, and checked this). All that would actually be needed to mount any front swivel with screw into the Remington threaded jacket hole is to cut the screw off so that only three threads protrude. That might require threading the unthreaded part of the screw shank further up toward the swivel first. That's no trick at all to do if you have a 10-32 NF threading die and die holder.
It may not be factory authentic, but it is possible to mount about any sling swivel set you may have onto your M81 barrel jacket and stock. I don't know if M8s have a threaded barrel jacket hole for a sling swivel or not.
If you do mount a swivel into the lower buttstock, they usually mount with a wood screw. Be EXTREMELY careful about how you drill the hole, as even though it appears to be a simple job, I've seen many messed-up sling swivel installations. Drill a hole smaller than the wood screw thread perpendicular to the slope of the lower wood surface, and don't rush it. Use a punch to make a starter hole before you drill. I suggest putting a piece of masking or duct tape over the wood where you intend to drill to protect it before you do anything.