Loctite Alternative

DRL1187 · September 3, 2010, 03:23 PM

Hello,

I am mounting a scope on my new rifle and I want to put something on the screws to keep them secure but I don't want to use Loctite. Is there another altnerative?

Thanks

DRL

smoakingun · September 3, 2010, 04:39 PM

tignten them with a screwdriver, keep a screwdriver in your case so they can be tightened before you head out and if they shoot loose

Jim Watson · September 3, 2010, 04:45 PM

What's wrong with one of the milder grades of Loctite?

My neighbor the gunsmith had a glob of raw linseed oil on his bench that he secured screws with.

Fingernail polish?

What is your objective for a different thread seal?

Straightshooter629 · September 3, 2010, 06:38 PM

There are different strengths of Loctite. The one you use depends on the degree of hold you need.

dahermit · September 3, 2010, 07:05 PM

Before Loctite, in the "olden days", we put a little finger nail polish on the treads. It worked well.

Stumper · September 3, 2010, 07:55 PM

Fingernail polish, varnish, lacquer, Superglue.....Why don't you wish to use Loctite?

Old Grump · September 3, 2010, 08:01 PM

Loctite - 242 Blue, not to be confused with the industrial strength glues or the red loctites. Best friend a gunner ever had besides a good bore solvent and a good lube. Use it and be not afraid, available at any hardware store.

hooligan1 · September 3, 2010, 08:02 PM

I have always used the blue locktite, for my .270 win, 3006, 7mm rem mag, and I do not have any issues with a scope being "bumped off" or loosing a zero. The yellow is the light hold, the blue is moderate, and the red is hard as hell to unscrew, I'd call that heavy hold.

hold on didn't you post this very same thread in Art Of The Rifle???

DejaVue, wow.

Stumper · September 3, 2010, 08:13 PM

As others have said Loctite blue is the proper stuff-Hooligan , if you think Red is tough meet Loctite Purple.........remove with a torch or by machining!

hooligan1 · September 3, 2010, 08:31 PM

Locktite PURPLE,??? What next? Locktite JB WELD???

and thank god I never got ahold of that stuff, hehehe

Clemson · September 3, 2010, 10:07 PM

You don't need loctite on scope mount screws, nor do you need to muscle them in. Just screw them home firmly with the provided allen wrench, torx wrench, or a screwdriver. A bit of oil on the threads will prevent galling and will allow you to remove the scope or mount when you want to.

Bill Jacobs
[email protected]

Jimmy10mm · September 3, 2010, 10:13 PM

I've used the blue loctite for various applications. Also "hard as nails' polish that is supposedly stronger than ordinary fingernail polish. In either case they assisted in holding the screws securely but allowed removal if it was necessary.

Jim Watson · September 3, 2010, 10:28 PM

Purple Loctite I have seen was very mild for small screws, as in typewriters.

Now the green stuff...

10-96 · September 3, 2010, 10:39 PM

Not too far off topic- but of interesting note... the Gun Smith I apprenticed under told me that some of the wartime Mauser building countries used iodine on bbl threads to lock (rust) together the bbls and receivers. I could see that happening with the need for something cheap, quick, and low cost. And, I'm sure that some of those factories didn't always have the luxury of taking the time to cut threads to the standards they would have in peace time. And, it esplains why I've seen some pretty dirty/rusted barrel shanks once they've been pulled.

ragwd · September 4, 2010, 01:24 AM

I used blued worked for me

September 3, 2010, 03:23 PM	#1
DRL1187 Member Join Date: March 3, 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 49	Loctite Alternative Hello, I am mounting a scope on my new rifle and I want to put something on the screws to keep them secure but I don't want to use Loctite. Is there another altnerative? Thanks DRL

September 3, 2010, 04:39 PM	#2
smoakingun Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Location: melrose, fl Posts: 634	tignten them with a screwdriver, keep a screwdriver in your case so they can be tightened before you head out and if they shoot loose __________________ Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

September 3, 2010, 07:55 PM	#6
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	Fingernail polish, varnish, lacquer, Superglue.....Why don't you wish to use Loctite? __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

September 3, 2010, 08:01 PM	#7
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Loctite - 242 Blue, not to be confused with the industrial strength glues or the red loctites. Best friend a gunner ever had besides a good bore solvent and a good lube. Use it and be not afraid, available at any hardware store. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

September 3, 2010, 08:02 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	I have always used the blue locktite, for my .270 win, 3006, 7mm rem mag, and I do not have any issues with a scope being "bumped off" or loosing a zero. The yellow is the light hold, the blue is moderate, and the red is hard as hell to unscrew, I'd call that heavy hold. hold on didn't you post this very same thread in Art Of The Rifle??? DejaVue, wow. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

September 3, 2010, 04:45 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,546	What's wrong with one of the milder grades of Loctite? My neighbor the gunsmith had a glob of raw linseed oil on his bench that he secured screws with. Fingernail polish? What is your objective for a different thread seal?

September 3, 2010, 06:38 PM	#4
Straightshooter629 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 475	There are different strengths of Loctite. The one you use depends on the degree of hold you need.

September 3, 2010, 07:05 PM	#5
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Before Loctite, in the "olden days", we put a little finger nail polish on the treads. It worked well.

September 3, 2010, 08:13 PM	#9
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	As others have said Loctite blue is the proper stuff-Hooligan , if you think Red is tough meet Loctite Purple.........remove with a torch or by machining! __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

September 3, 2010, 08:31 PM	#10
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Locktite PURPLE,??? What next? Locktite JB WELD??? and thank god I never got ahold of that stuff, hehehe __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

September 3, 2010, 10:07 PM	#11
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	You don't need loctite on scope mount screws, nor do you need to muscle them in. Just screw them home firmly with the provided allen wrench, torx wrench, or a screwdriver. A bit of oil on the threads will prevent galling and will allow you to remove the scope or mount when you want to. Bill Jacobs [email protected] __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

September 3, 2010, 10:13 PM	#12
Jimmy10mm Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2010 Location: Greenacres, FL Posts: 933	I've used the blue loctite for various applications. Also "hard as nails' polish that is supposedly stronger than ordinary fingernail polish. In either case they assisted in holding the screws securely but allowed removal if it was necessary.

September 3, 2010, 10:28 PM	#13
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,546	Purple Loctite I have seen was very mild for small screws, as in typewriters. Now the green stuff...

September 3, 2010, 10:39 PM	#14
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Not too far off topic- but of interesting note... the Gun Smith I apprenticed under told me that some of the wartime Mauser building countries used iodine on bbl threads to lock (rust) together the bbls and receivers. I could see that happening with the need for something cheap, quick, and low cost. And, I'm sure that some of those factories didn't always have the luxury of taking the time to cut threads to the standards they would have in peace time. And, it esplains why I've seen some pretty dirty/rusted barrel shanks once they've been pulled. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

September 4, 2010, 01:24 AM	#15
ragwd Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Posts: 925	I used blued worked for me