I've debated for quite some time concerning what brand of scope mount I wanted for my Springfield Armory M1a Loaded and finally decided on the Sadlak mount. Just about anyone can install this mount if you follow the instructions, but you know what they say...a picture is worth a thousand words. Hopefully this will help some of you with the installation or decision towards a future purchase of the Sadlak Mount.
1. Disassemble the rifle. The instructions only state to remove the reciever from the stock. I found it a lot easier to field strip the weapon. This gives you more room to work.
The next step requires you to use a 3/32 diameter punch to tap out the spring pin that holds the stripper clip guide. I suggest that you take it slowly and work the punch in and out as you tap the pin out. It's a tight fit and you don't want to get your punch stuck. It's also important that you maintain the same angle as you remove your punch. You don't want to break it off and cause yourself a headache. If it's too tight, use a smaller punch as suggested. If you look under the 250 mark stamped on the reciever you can see where to remove the pin.
Next remove the stripper clip guide. It is removed from Right to Left. I've left it partially removed to illustrate the direction to remove the guide.
Next, make sure that the threads on your rifle are ok. Manually thread the hex screw into your recieved threads to make sure everything is ok.
This next picture is of the reciever groove on the left side. The groove on top of the screw hole for the scope mount isn't important, it's the lower horizontal groove that you are concerned about. If all goes well, the scope mount will mate into this groove with no problems. SA owners, here is where you will hold your breath. If all goes well, the scope mount will mate solidly. If not, then you will have to use the supplied inspection kit.
Test fitting the scope mount.
Install the cam washer at the 9:00 position. Notice that the mount does not make contact with the the angled face. Note...Angled Face is the name of the area where you removed the stripper clip guide.
After inserting the cam washer, install the hex screw. Hand tighten the screw and tighten just a tad bit more with a wrench. The instructions call for box end wrench, however, I used a socket wrench just fine. The turning of the cam washer requires some finesse as well as using a non marring punch or similar object. Preferably plastic. I used metal and now have the addition of some sharpie blueing. Your goal is to have the mount make contact with the angled face. You can see the mount actually move into position when you move the cam.
This next picture is of the clip guide key. This part will slide into the area between the mount and angled face..where you stripper clip guide used to be.
Picture of the clip guide key partially inserted.
Tightening the clip guide screw 1/4 turn past hand tight.
Locking the key into the dovetail slot. This is accomplished by tightening the key set screws located on both sides of the mount. After this step, torque all screws as recommended.
Tightening the front post support. Sadlak suggests you only scew it down until contact is made with the top of the reciever and turn a max of 1/16 past the contact point. This is important since you can actually see the mount flex slightly if you overtighten.
Locking the front post support screw.
Installed mount, right side view.
Installed mount, left side view.
Mount with scope installed.
Scope: Leupold VXII 3x9 40mm.
Rings: Weaver Grand Slam. High. All steel construction.
As you can see, there is good clearance with these rings installed. No, these are not $100 "super tactical operator "rings, but for less than $15.00 they will work nicely.
Needless to say, I'm a happy camper. An added bonus that I've found is that the scope mount aids in maintaining a consistent ejection pattern. Prior to adding the scope mount, the ejection pattern was slightly erratic.
Good Luck and Good Shooting!
1. Disassemble the rifle. The instructions only state to remove the reciever from the stock. I found it a lot easier to field strip the weapon. This gives you more room to work.
The next step requires you to use a 3/32 diameter punch to tap out the spring pin that holds the stripper clip guide. I suggest that you take it slowly and work the punch in and out as you tap the pin out. It's a tight fit and you don't want to get your punch stuck. It's also important that you maintain the same angle as you remove your punch. You don't want to break it off and cause yourself a headache. If it's too tight, use a smaller punch as suggested. If you look under the 250 mark stamped on the reciever you can see where to remove the pin.
Next remove the stripper clip guide. It is removed from Right to Left. I've left it partially removed to illustrate the direction to remove the guide.
Next, make sure that the threads on your rifle are ok. Manually thread the hex screw into your recieved threads to make sure everything is ok.
This next picture is of the reciever groove on the left side. The groove on top of the screw hole for the scope mount isn't important, it's the lower horizontal groove that you are concerned about. If all goes well, the scope mount will mate into this groove with no problems. SA owners, here is where you will hold your breath. If all goes well, the scope mount will mate solidly. If not, then you will have to use the supplied inspection kit.
Test fitting the scope mount.
Install the cam washer at the 9:00 position. Notice that the mount does not make contact with the the angled face. Note...Angled Face is the name of the area where you removed the stripper clip guide.
After inserting the cam washer, install the hex screw. Hand tighten the screw and tighten just a tad bit more with a wrench. The instructions call for box end wrench, however, I used a socket wrench just fine. The turning of the cam washer requires some finesse as well as using a non marring punch or similar object. Preferably plastic. I used metal and now have the addition of some sharpie blueing. Your goal is to have the mount make contact with the angled face. You can see the mount actually move into position when you move the cam.
This next picture is of the clip guide key. This part will slide into the area between the mount and angled face..where you stripper clip guide used to be.
Picture of the clip guide key partially inserted.
Tightening the clip guide screw 1/4 turn past hand tight.
Locking the key into the dovetail slot. This is accomplished by tightening the key set screws located on both sides of the mount. After this step, torque all screws as recommended.
Tightening the front post support. Sadlak suggests you only scew it down until contact is made with the top of the reciever and turn a max of 1/16 past the contact point. This is important since you can actually see the mount flex slightly if you overtighten.
Locking the front post support screw.
Installed mount, right side view.
Installed mount, left side view.
Mount with scope installed.
Scope: Leupold VXII 3x9 40mm.
Rings: Weaver Grand Slam. High. All steel construction.
As you can see, there is good clearance with these rings installed. No, these are not $100 "super tactical operator "rings, but for less than $15.00 they will work nicely.
Needless to say, I'm a happy camper. An added bonus that I've found is that the scope mount aids in maintaining a consistent ejection pattern. Prior to adding the scope mount, the ejection pattern was slightly erratic.
Good Luck and Good Shooting!