Scope Rings - Would You Lap These?

[lazyMlazyK]

Got this pair of 34mm Arken rings for the SH4 I picked up for a good price. Horizontally, they look about spot on to me. There's a tiny variation vertically. Think I should lap them, or is this close enough? I've never gone down the lapping rabbit hole, but am prepared to. What are your thoughts?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Lap em. Itll never hurt

 

[BoydAllen]

I lap all my rings except for those by Burris with the self aligning inserts. Besides alignment there is the matter of evenness of contact. A dozen cycles with a lap will show you what you have. The abrasive comes off best (to begin with) with a light oil.

 

[DShortt]

I lap all my rings but I don't use those with inserts. I like to know I've got as much alignment and contact as possible and when I pull a scope there are never any marks.

Besides, I like to work on guns anyway so here's another opportunity to enjoy my hobby. I enjoy it so it's never a chore. That I think makes a huge difference.

 

[Raydee]

I was told that ARC don't ever need lapping so they are the first rings I didn't lap and the last time I won't lap a set of rings.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Well, I went ahead and lapped them, was a quick & easy job. I think I got them just right now. Thanks for the input folks.

 

[boltfluter]

As Dusty mentioned, lap them. There is no such thing as a "good twisting motion" on a scope tube.
Paul

 

[craveman85]

I'll never not lap a set of rings. Even if the manufacturer said they wouldn't need it.

 

[Midger]

I would be curious to see what the rings looked like after lapping them.

 

[DShortt]

I would be curious to see what the rings looked like after lapping them.

These aren't the rings in the thread but here's an example.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

I would be curious to see what the rings looked like after lapping them.

Just like this!

 

[Andy Work]

What is lapping?

Erik Cortina explained this on April 1st:

How to mount an precision optic in the field

 

[boltfluter]

Everything in the machining world has a tolerance. Period! You can never loose ground with a good lapping job. Just go slow and check your work often. The ARC statement is just marketing hype. They do build a nice product, but any mass produced part can usually be improved upon with a little care. Happy shooting!
Paul

 

[AlNyhus]

Just like this!

Your lapping is an excellent example of just how little contact there can be between the rings and the scope tube. Bedding the scope in the rings will give maximum contact and eliminate stress on the scope tube. -Al