New Sight Tools

I recently upgraded my modest scope mounting and iron sight adjustment toolbox. Here are the new tools I acquired for my shop from Real Avid (Real Avid. com, Level Right Pro The Real Avid Level Right Pro is a system designed to provide essential scope reticle alignment to the rifle’s bore axis. While there are other systems for the job, I like this device very much and find it enjoyable to use. The Level Right Pro offers predictable point of impact alignment.

While firing the rifle to fine tune the point of aim and impact is always important, scope alignment tools area big help and when done properly get the rifle pretty darned close. The Level Right Pro aligns the reticle with the barrel’s bore axis to prevent left or right off set. This is far superior to the old trick of CZ 527 bases are easily mounted but are very rigid once in place. removing the bolt and bore sighting the rifle— not to mention bore sighting like this isn’t possible with some action types.

There will be more lateral drift past the rifle’s zeroed in distance if the reticle isn’t in sync with the bore. I have used pretty complicated devices and bubble levels with some success but usually end up shooting a good bit of ammunition to sight the rifle in. Real Avid’s tool makes the chore a bit simpler with greater precision. This tool goes straight to the issue and levels the reticle, not the turrets or tube. The Level Right Pro indexes with the radii of the barrel and the scope’s objective bell.

A reticle light is used along with an alignment grip placed behind the rifle. The light

The owner wished to retain his iron sights so the work was accomplished without removing them. is lined up to project light onto the grip after mounting the device firmly on the rifle. With the light projected onto the grid, rotate the scope carefully in small increments until the projected reticle is aligned with the vertical and horizontal planes on the grid. The Level Right Pro includes an alignment grid, rechargeable reticle light, and standard barrel and Picatinny rail attachment mounts.

Clamp the device onto the front of the scope. Level the scope with the supplied level that is mounted on top of the device, then turn the light on to project against the supplied grid. The outline of the reticle is clear. It is surprising how you may be off a little and not realize it when using other devices. I think that we have a tendency to quickly cant or tilt the rifle to line the reticle up with the eye when checking our work.

It isn’t unusual for a rifle to come into the shop with an offtilted scope that someone has been using and hitting the target—at one certain set range. This type of tilting will result in a shot far off the target at a different longer range. It is worthwhile to check the alignment of scopes in a well stocked gun shop, as an example. Quite a few are off base and the owner doesn’t quite realize it. When I began testing the Level Right Pro I had on hand a CZ 527 rifle for scope mounting.

The rifle is a superb light stalker and all-around carbine for use at modest range. Chambered in 7.62x39mm and fitted with a single set trigger this is a very nice and reasonably accurate rifle. The owner wished to maintain the iron sights even though they were not visible with the scope mounted. The set up ended up with the objective bell touching the rear sight but bolt clearance was fine, although close. The two mounting bases for the CZ are not identical.

The rear scope base has a step that meets a corresponding notch in the mount, a nice touch and typical of the CZ company’s attention to detail. The mounts were screwed in place to the grooves on the receiver. Four small screws hold the scope upper rings in place. The scope was adjusted for eye relief and the proper eye relief was set and the scope rings lightly tightened. This base and ring combination is very rigid and makes for good accuracy.

The 527 is usually a 2 MOA rifle, although the general run of steel cased loads used for recreational shooting with the AK-47 rifle will demonstrate per- The Easy Torque handle (right) is a good size for an easy range of adjustment and also allows a great deal of leverage.

The sight block offers several blocks for use with a wide range of handguns. haps 4 MOA and larger groups with some lots not accurate enough to zero with. Fiocchi 123 grain FMJ is much more accurate and affordable but more expensive. The Hornady Black JSP load is an accurate and useful hunting load. Looking for good clarity and maximum image at a fair price I used the Tru Glo Intercept rifle scope. The CZ 527 rifle had been found in a pawn shop in excellent condition and the owner wished to be conservative.

The Intercept is available at around $170 with good eye relief, 3×9 magnification, and an illuminated reticle. The 43mm objective bell rather than the usual 40mm was close but not an overly tight fit. This is a good scope for light conditions that are less than ideal. This resulting rifle and the scope set up are ideal for many uses. The use of modern reticle leveling gear made a difference in the ease of set up.

The rifle was sighted in properly with only a half dozen rounds, sighting it 1.2 inches high at 100 yards. The Real Avid Level Right Pro is an important part of my updated gear. Real Avid Sight Pusher Adjusting dovetailed handgun sights and installing self luminous iron sights is a common job. Sight replacement and adjustment is relatively simple on most handguns if you have the right tools. The barrier for most shooters and small shops is the ability to install sights.

Even though the process is simple, sight pushers are relatively expensive and several sets may be needed.

They hold the slide stable while the sights are moved. Don’t allow this to occur when using a sight pusher. The slide is removed from the cleared firearm and locked in a padded portion of the sight pusher tool. The sight pusher is manipulated in order to push the old sight out and then push the new sight into place. Adjustment of dovetailed sights is similar with far less movement required and much easier than a brass hammer and punch, although I still use these at the range as needed.

Very few universal or multi-use sight pushers are as versatile as they claim. The Real Avid Master Sight Pusher is well designed, operates in a straightforward manner, and is an improvement over previous products. This features an oversized Easy Torque handle with fine drive threads for precise adjustment. The press block is a universal type with numerous contact surfaces and contact points, compatible with most slides and sights using a non-marring cradle.

Spring loaded vertical adjustments are possible with adjustment knobs and a safe lock and anti-torsion frame are part of the design. The sight pusher can also attach to a bench if needed. The grip is well designed, non slip, and the universal press block is sturdy and straightforward in operation. There are four side clamp adjustments, adjustable by four well-spaced knobs with vertical adjustment handled their own adjustment knobs.

When adjusting or changing sights, the first step is to select the applicable Universal Press Block face. Turn the handle to move the block face completely to the left. Without a stabilizing wall behind the block face it is easily turned to the best fit for the individual pistol. Eyeballing can determine which block face fits best. For example, a low profile sight or one using a slight dovetail should be used with the 4mm tooth sight of the Universal Press Block face.

The fitting should reach inside the dovetail and the block face lowered to a good fit. After turning the block, return it to the center of the push rod. Align the clamp guides at the center of the dovetail. Loosen the two vertical frame bolts for height clearance and visibility, being certain the hold down screw is aligned before aligning the slide. Align the slide in the raceway. Lock all four locks onto the slide. Using the adjustment knobs, lower the Universal Press Block to the proper height.

The vertical stabilizer is tightened to hold the handgun slide firmly in place. Take a moment to confirm the alignment of the sight pusher with the sight. Turn the Easy Torque handle to move the sight, either to adjust the sight or to push it out. Apply lubricant to the sight pusher’s threads and use good light when adjusting the sight block to be certain the slide has not moved to one side or the other during the locking process. When adjusting the sight, turn the handle clockwise to move the sight.

There should be little resistance as there is plenty of leverage with this tool. I have on hand an old and very tight Para-Ordnance P14-45, one of the Canadian production pistols. This piece is quite accurate and the barrel bushing is so tight it requires a tool to disassemble, yet this tool made the adjustment easy. The Real Avid unit is more secure than a permanently mounted tool (always a good idea when using any device that requires leverage) while still being portable.

I like this tool a lot and it replaces several others I had been using for some time. AG