ASSRA Forum - Unertl froze up, now what?

ASSRA Forum › General › Gunsmithing Single Shot Rifles › Unertl froze up, now what?

(Moderator Group: Moderator)

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

Normal Topic

Unertl froze up, now what? (Read 518 times)

bohemianway Oldtimer Offline Posts: 704 Location: Andover, MN Joined: Apr 16^th, 2004	Unertl froze up, now what? Mar 18^th, 2026 at 5:21pm	Print Post
	The story, Back in 1980 I purchased an ANIB Valmet (Finnish Lion) free rifle with an 1.5" Unertl scope. I has taken till now for me to get back into trying small bore and I find that the ocular and objective adjustments are froze up tight. I am putting some Ed's red on the treads to soak in but am asking if anyone has some advice/experience(s) in getting them loose. And in particular what not to do! The scope is in pristine condition so I don't want to muck it up. And, Yes it is a single shot. Thank you, Charles
	« Last Edit: Mar 18^th, 2026 at 5:38pm by bohemianway »

	GTalk IP Logged

art_ruggiero Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1219 Location: CT Joined: Dec 14^th, 2008	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #1 - Mar 19^th, 2026 at 8:32am	Print Post
	try gentle warming with a hair dryer art


	IP Logged

burntwater Oldtimer Offline Posts: 580 Location: Michigan Joined: Feb 5^th, 2018	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #2 - Mar 19^th, 2026 at 12:52pm	Print Post
	The gentle heat approach sounds like the safest procedure with your scope. I'm just guessing but those objective and ocular adjustment rings probably have some old lube or grease on the faying surfaces that has with age set up preventing movement. Heat, as Art has suggested, will most likely break it down enough for movement. I'd be very wary of using any type of penetrating oil as it could migrate into places you don't want Rick


	IP Logged

ao3 Junior Member Offline Posts: 59 Location: Central OHIO Joined: Feb 8^th, 2006	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #3 - Mar 20^th, 2026 at 2:58am	Print Post
	Go to the auto parts store an get a small strap wrench, the one with the soft strap. Be gentle, it wont mark the tube, i use it often.


	IP Logged

beltfed Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1817 Location: Central Wi Joined: Dec 20^th, 2007	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #4 - Mar 20^th, 2026 at 10:18am	Print Post
	May need TWO strap wrenches.... beltfed/arnie


	IP Logged

marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17828 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #5 - Mar 20^th, 2026 at 10:36am	Print Post
	Oil can migrate, and I've seen scopes that had to be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned because someone put oil on the objective adjustment. I'd be very careful and sparing with oil there. It's fine for the mounts and can help them to operate smoothly. Heat and a large wrench. I use old innertube pieces wrapped around the scope to keep from marring the surface while working the adjustment. A little back and forth adjustment and gradually make larger turns back and forth until it frees up As mentioned some heat helps, and a heat shrink gun on low temp works best for me.

	(You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)
	IP Logged

burntwater Oldtimer Offline Posts: 580 Location: Michigan Joined: Feb 5^th, 2018	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #6 - Mar 20^th, 2026 at 2:32pm	Print Post
	marlinguy wrote on Mar 20^th, 2026 at 10:36am: Oil can migrate, and I've seen scopes that had to be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned because someone put oil on the objective adjustment. I'd be very careful and sparing with oil there. It's fine for the mounts and can help them to operate smoothly. Heat and a large wrench. I use old innertube pieces wrapped around the scope to keep from marring the surface while working the adjustment. A little back and forth adjustment and gradually make larger turns back and forth until it frees up As mentioned some heat helps, and a heat shrink gun on low temp works best for me. Exactly as I said earlier. Val is man with more old beautiful scopes than anybody should rightfully own so his words carry weight, more than mine. So I'm sure he has dealt with this problem before. Remember oils creep and will keep creeping where it can cause a real serious problem Rick


	IP Logged

watchthewind Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1095 Location: Phoenix, AZ Joined: Mar 10^th, 2015	Re: Unertl froze up, now what? Reply #7 - Mar 21^st, 2026 at 11:11am	Print Post
	art_ruggiero wrote on Mar 19^th, 2026 at 8:32am: try gentle warming with a hair dryer art I'm with Art this has worked for me. Scott

	ASSRA Member # 11408
	IP Logged

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

« Board Index ‹ Board Top

Top

ASSRA Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid XHTML

Valid CSS

Powered by Perl

Source Forge

Page completed in 0.5613 seconds.