doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Claw scope mounts

I am considering a very nice O/U double rifle from Germany. It has bases for claw scope mounts but no mounts. Are these mounts something available as replacements with some standardization or are they all one of a kind things requiring fabrication/fitting? And what costs am I likely to encounter; who would I contact for them. I need a little education on these please.

I have read those claw mounts are generally very poor, as the iron claws are subject to wear and loosen under recoil. Probably be OK if you mounted it and didn't dismount it.

Hi Jerry,

Unfortunately traditional claw mounts have no standardization and each needs to be individually fit. I know NECG does a good job at this and I understand that Champlin's can do it as well, though my experience with them has been somewhat less than satisfactory. There are probably others as well. Costs can run $800-$1000 and up and there can be a fair amount of time involved as well. Dang.

On the other hand, I've found most claw mounts, both original and re-fit, to be strong, stable and attractive. It's a marvelous system, just a bit costly in modern times.

Reto Beuhler or NECG would be my recommendation. +1 on everything else Mr. Meyer said.

Dustin

Steve,
Since I suspect you have tinkered with this aspect more than most, have you come to any other solutions? Prefer not to drill and tap holes in this gun. Have you seen perhaps a barrel mounted peep sight which used the rear claw base to secure it? I am not all that enamored with scopes anyway for the way I hunt. But the existing open sights are just not adequate at my eye sight's age. .

Jerry,
You mentioned it has "bases". If these are attached with screws, Redfield/Leupold have blank bases that I've used and matched the contour and holes of the rifle into them. Then the standard Redfield/Leupold rings fit.

I suggest getting a Brownells harcopy catalog and browse the base and ring section for potential solutions. There are many makers and styles, possibly more blank base options than Redfield/Leupold. Maybe something with more Euro styling.

the other problem you encounter with the standard 1 inch rings is you cant use a scope with 2 bells the front bell prevents you from either mounting the scope or removing it. i have made several sets in the past and at best they are tricky.

Chuck H,

Never thought that perhaps the claw bases could be gently removed and saved - replaced with another base using contemporary mounts. Have to check on whether the bases are screw mounted. Thanks.

"The Drilling" by Norbert Klupp has a picture of a "tornado" red dot type sight mounted only in the rear claw spring loaded mount.

Jerry, I don't think they are screwed, more likely soldered?

Here is a friend's Merkel with an alternative he had done:


This is the gun with its original scope:


Just an idea.

JC