The installation of one of our Gunsmith Adapters into the stock of your rifle is a relatively straightforward process. This guide offers a number of suggestions & considerations to complete this successfully.
The rifle action needs to be removed from the stock to safely conduct this installation, and this is why we recommend customers seek the help of a professional gunsmith if they are not comfortable with the process.
The key areas for a successful installation are to ensure that all measurements are taken precisely.
Ensure that the adapter is:
Centrally positioned on the centerline of the forearm
Does not obstruct other fittings in or on the rifle
Has sufficient space for the adapter to fit in that part of the stock
Has sufficient space to accept any bedding medium used (Hollow stock)
Does not come into contact with the barrel
Each rifle is different in this respect, and time spent assessing the correct placement is well spent. Generally, the further the closer the bipod is to the muzzle, the greater the stability in use is achieved (subject to the space available). Additional Gunsmith Adapters are often installed by customers who require a mounting option closer to the centre of the balance point of the rifle, for use with the Sentinel & Davros products. The same considerations apply to these installations.
Customers often ask if the adapter should sit in front of or behind the sling stud. Both options are suitable, but we recommend placing the Gunsmith Adapter forward of the sling stud if possible to reduce interference.
When connecting the bipod to the adapter, it's essential to ensure that it doesn't interfere or collide with the sling stud and that there is enough space for the bipod pan feature to function correctly.
1. Remove Barrel and Wrap Stock
Carefully mask the rifle stock to protect it and firmly mount it upside down in a suitable vice or clamp.
2. Mark the centre point of the stock
Mark the center point using either string (Pictured below) or calipers.
3. Choosing a Drill Bit
For boring a hole in rifle stocks made of solid material, use a 19mm Forstner bit.
For rifle stocks manufactured as hollow stocks (typically polymer material, but not exclusively), an 18mm Hole Saw works well, and the slight flex of polymer hollow stocks allows the adapter to be firmly pressed into place, providing a tight fit in the stock. If the initial fitting is too tight, a slight enlargement of the hole can be achieved using a small rotary power tool.
4. Bore Hole
Ensure that you are drilling in an area of the rifle stock with suitable material and space to accept the installation of the adapter. Carefully bore a hole to the required depth (if the stock is solid).
The adapter is 17mm (0.6") deep in total, but not all of this needs to be installed into the stock. The rim of the adapter sits slightly proud of the stock. The adaptor requires at least 12mm to be embedded into the stock itself. The adaptor can sit deeper than 12mm and may be installed almost flush if done with care!
5. Align Gunsmith
The Javelin Bipod can be used in two modes: the traversable "Hunt Mode" and the locked "Range Mode," which is recommended for gunsmith alignment. The pin on the bipod body (A) limits the traverse movement, and the adapters have machined cut-outs (B) that allow for either free or locked traverse movement.
6. Cleaning and Bonding
For solid stocks, the bored hole simply needs to be keyed and cleaned with a suitable solvent degreaser. Once done, the adapter can be installed and bonded in place using a small amount of suitable epoxy. We recommend using Devcon 10110 Type-A Plastic-Steel Putty (or equivalent), which is a two-part epoxy containing sintered metal. It is reliable and durable, and being a putty, it is a little more forgiving when working or shaping it slightly as it cures.
For hollow stocks, more work will be required as the adapter will need to rely on the additional support of the bedding material to hold it in position and manage the energy of the rifle in use. These stocks often have a number of hollows or wells divided by a series of cross braces, which are an excellent place to fit the adapter. The cross braces form perfect bulkheads to contain the epoxy and surround the adapter. Make sure the epoxy fully surrounds the adapter from the base to the stock to the top of the adapter, without reaching the rifle barrel.
Wait for the epoxy to cure, remove the masking material, clean, and reassemble the action to the rifle, and check zero.
If you need additional information, please contact us.