Intro and some AW porn, just because...

[ericthebeard]

Heya everyone.

I've been lurking around for a while now, adsorbing and applying everything I can. I just posted my old stick for in the "for sale" section on the site to make room for this new babe:

Dave at Mile High hooked me up with this sweet rig. I was planning on saving up for an AE but this deal came along and I knew I'd be kicking myself if I let it pass... so, NEW GUN DAY: an AW (from the first numbers on the serial it appears to be a 2002 model) rebarreled with a 22" Bartlein, Atlas with spigot and a lovely Sphur mount. Damn the AI action is everything I've heard and more. I just spent the lazy afternoon torquing down the scope in the mount and on the dovetail, generally giving a once-over the rig before the first outting... Took some pics and thought I'd share them here. So here you go, hope you like a good pic thread for its own reason like I do.

But first, I've been searching for this to no avail. Any AI gurus out there have any info on servicing a sticky safety? The lever moving from "fire" to the first safe position is notably stiff on this gun, something I was not expecting. I'm trying to see if it "works out" with a little use but if there more info out there that I've not found please share it.

Anyhow, she's also ready for some accessories on the business end:

The Ideal Mount, holding my trusty NXS

The target butt pad:

Bonded action:

Enjoy.

 

[The_FNG]

She looks better with her clothes off

 

[hewlett260]

Are you trying to go straight from fire to half safe? The owners manual states you go from fire all the way to full safe and then to half safe(middle position). If it's still stiff I would contact Mile High and then AINA and see what they say. By the way welcome to the club, very nice rifle, I just got back a few hours ago from shooting my AW260. The AW is amazing simply put. You will love it.

 

[Kilmore]

Out of curiousity, what height Spur Mount is that you are using with the 56mm NF? Thanks for your response.

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Hewlett has it correct, you need to go from fire to full safe, then back to half safety position. When you go from fire to half safety, you are pulling the firing pin spring back, and that's why there is tension...

So, go from fire to full safe, then back to half safety position, and it should feel much smoother

Nice rifle!

-Dave-

 

[ericthebeard]

Out of curiousity, what height Spur Mount is that you are using with the 56mm NF? Thanks for your response.

It's this one SA-3601. 30mm rings, 35mm/1.38" height. The objective bell has about a 3-4mm clearance off the (generally) #7 MTU barrel.

 

[ericthebeard]

Hewlett has it correct, you need to go from fire to full safe, then back to half safety position. When you go from fire to half safety, you are pulling the firing pin spring back, and that's why there is tension...

So, go from fire to full safe, then back to half safety position, and it should feel much smoother

Nice rifle!

-Dave-

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for, then I re-read the AIAW manual carefully:

If the rifle is loaded and cocked ready for use without an immediate target ensure that
the safety catch is FULLY APPLIED, ie fully rearward to SECOND SAFE position
(about 110 degrees from the off position).

NOTE: The resistance felt at the centre of the safety catch movement is the
beginning of the withdrawal of the firing pin from the sears and the safety catch must
be FULLY APPLIED before the rifle is on full safe with bolt handle locked in closed
position

Good to know. Having never manipulated the safety on an AI before I didn't know what to expect. But this makes sense given the extra "rigor" of the AI safety. Its positioned on the bolt and physically takes the full heft of the firing pin spring and removes it from the sear and trigger. Much more "safe" than just jamming up the trigger no matter how slippery the sear is...