DIY tripod QD plate on stock?

[CS1983]

Wanting to get into having a tripod setup for rifle, and I have a manfrotto I use for spotter and chrony, but nothing with the HOG saddle or anything super fancy to take a rifle.

Was wondering about maybe just drilling and tapping the stock (ssg3000 w/ the israeli made stock) and using a threadsert (probably with some jb weld or something on the external of the insert), which would then take the QD plate for the tripod.

Concerns:
1) recoil effect on the structural stability of the setup (seemingly concentrated on the screw/thread)
2) lack of ability to move rifle fwd or rear as needed

Anyone done this? bad? good? Trying to keep a budget reasonable as possible for whatever solution is final.

[Great-Kazoo]

I'd buy another stock (yes, it's not within budget) before i started cutting up that Israeli unit.. OR go to one of the Sig forums to see if you can do a trade or barter.

BUT... if you really wanted to do it. I'd go with a secured internal rail with nuts tig'd on it at specific intervals. Run 2 - 3 holes in the stock for attachment. You'd have to inlet the stock for the rail, so it sits flush . Then glass it over.

[Delfuego]

A buddy just did this to his Manners stock for the Steel Safari. He recessed a couple of t-nuts using a forstner bit and jb weld. He chopped the tabs off the t-nuts first, by you may or may not need to. He then screwed in a Manfrotto RC2 type QD plate to the t-nuts. He can now just QD into and out-of a Manfrotto ballhead.

You can also check out the Mapul Manfrotto plate.
https://www.magpul.com/products/m-lok-tripod-adapter
Magpul has a "MLOK to MOE" adapter to make the base flush.
This was what I wanted to run, but did not have the time or tools to machine my stock before the Steel Safari (my stock is carbon fiber and really needs to be milled properly).

I don't know what material your SSG3000 stock is made out of, so please check that out first. But my buddy's modification is working great and I'm jealous and I ended up having to run a ballhead and Hog saddle. I still would like to get mine running the QD plate.

[CS1983]

Thank you for the replies so far.

The stock itself is just a high quality polymer, but it has an aluminum rib in the forearm of the stock, so the threadsert would be actually placed in the aluminum. Different stock cost would demand I just go with a PIG saddle.

The M-Lok is an interesting and seemingly ready-made solution, but would require a different head, since my current one uses a standard QD plate rather than the rc2/q2. Would likely still have to drill stock unless the holes line up with current sling studs (which would also make bipod use another problem). I suppose if I get a different head (likely a wise course of action) the M-Lok would be more attractive).

Wonder if I can just rig up something similar to the PIG saddle, or if I should just save $ on the materials and frustration.

Thanks for the ideas so far. If I end up doing a DIY, I'll be sure to provide a write-up in case anyone else is going for a similar solution.

[C Ward]

I don't know about the collectable value of the stock on the rifle and can't comment on that but would be part of my thought process before modification .

If the aluminum goes all the way forward it will be strong enough to hold the hardware for the QD plate for the tripod mount. Put the plate as close to the balance point as possible on the rifle . The recoil off a tripod is mostly delivered in to the shooter and not the tripod .

I'm running a Manfrotto and Hog saddle now and it works really well . I thought about QD plates or pic rail sections also and not having to set up all my different rifles with plates was a big deal to me . Also part of the thought process was when shooting a team match and sharing gear both you and your partner's guns would need set up as well .

There is also another saddle that I used for a while that is also good but does not anchor the forend , Precision Rifle Solutions makes it and it's under 100 bucks . There are also videos on YouTube about making your own saddle also .

[CS1983]

C Ward, I think you bring up a good point about having to do this to all rifles to see most use and also team/buddy gear issues.

Looking at the process of time involved, cost (multiplied over all systems), etc., I think maybe I should just cough up the $$ for a Pig saddle. I'm still interested in an interim solution, but the PIG/HOG is probably the way to go.

[Delfuego]

I think the $100 for a PIG saddle is pretty cheap in this game. I used the PRS saddle and tripod for a while and still have it as a backup. It is a really good solution and very reasonably priced too (nice people also). Chuck brings up a good point about sharing gear with teammates too.

Are you using Arca-Swiss plates on your ballhead? You would probably also want your plate mounted near the balance point of your rifle and not near the bipod mount.

You could look into helicoils or similar for inserts. We use Quiver Killers for skis & snowboards, but they are only M6 threads which may be too large for what you want.
http://quiverkiller.com/collections/frontpage

[C Ward]

Pig saddle is a solid product and functionally the same just heavier because the body is stamped steel instead of aluminium.

Easiest solution is come out to one of the local match's and look at stuff , Pueblo and CS are the best for tripods and such because of the positional shooting.

Making a saddle isn't hard if you don't care what it looks like . A piece of aluminum c channel , sleeping pad foam , and 100 MPH tape and your in business. Tap a hole in the bottom to mount on the tripod and your done .

[Great-Kazoo]

I think the $100 for a PIG saddle is pretty cheap in this game. I used the PRS saddle and tripod for a while and still have it as a backup. It is a really good solution and very reasonably priced too (nice people also). Chuck brings up a good point about sharing gear with teammates too.

Are you using Arca-Swiss plates on your ballhead? You would probably also want your plate mounted near the balance point of your rifle and not near the bipod mount.

You could look into helicoils or similar for inserts. We use Quiver Killers for skis & snowboards, but they are only M6 threads which may be too large for what you want.
http://quiverkiller.com/collections/frontpage



Here's an interesting option. it's for wood, but machine screws with lock nuts on the inside of the stock, would provide a stable / secure mounting system.
http://www.rockler.com/screw-on-tee-nuts-choose-size-thread

http://assets.rockler.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/364x364/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/8/68387-01-1000.jpg
Heli-coils or threadserts IMO will not provide a permanent mount as they can and will back out. No mater how well they are epoxied in.

[newracer]

Could you drill and tap the aluminum rib?

[vectorsc]

Could you drill and tap the aluminum rib?

I am recommending he drill and tap the isreali stock into the aluminum rib right in front of the magazine / as close to COG as he can get. And then put in a threadsert.

[bside303]

I have both the hog saddle and triclawps....I likethe triclawps better. Thinking of getting the magpul tripod adapter for my slidefire setup.

http://www.triclawps.com/

[CS1983]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone. Still researching and figuring out what might be best interim and/or final. Definitely like the ease of the COTS options, but I'm open to DIY still if I feel it can work without too much headache.