mounting a side rail?

ok you Mosin guys,
ive really wanted to scope my M38 since before i got it, BUT im not comfortable just buying stuff hoping it will work.

my "plan" is to mount a lever type side rail and use a weaver style mount (is this doable?), boltman bolt (i think) and maybe a 74 style brake (IF i feel like getting the barrel threaded).

i dont want to change the stock, i dont care about cutting up the "original" a little to clear the rail either.
i dont want any of the other scope mount options ive seen.

my intent for this rifle is to be a hunter and fun shooter. to be able to transfer the scope to an AK with a side rail (would have to install a rail on an AK so theres no conflict in rail choices), and just a fun low dollar project.

what do you guys think/suggest?

any products you recommend? tutorials on NOT buggering it up? :small_gri

I hear crickets ...

You might want to ask This Guy (http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57593) how he did it.

Please don't screw up an M38. If you must, find a late M44 and turn down the bayo mount and mount the PU scope.

get your parts and mock everything up. youll basically want everything to sit centered on the barrel, and for everything to be parralel with the barrel. this could mean shims and carving some wood off the stock. it would be a pain in the ass for sure

whats your plan for the differences of zero betwen the 2 guns? you might wanna just buy 2 mounts and 2 rails and have 1 for each gun.

youll also need a bent bolt hadle

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003643221836a.shtml

mixed reviews about it, but it should work for ya. if you went with this id personally buy a bent handle instead of using this screw on one. ive read in some reviews that it likes to break off

whats your plan for the differences of zero betwen the 2 guns?

well i was "thinking" i could get the mosin squared away and shooting straight, then mock up the rail for the AK by clamping it to the receiver somehow and test and tune with the mosin's scope mounted until its zero'd at a known distance by adjusting the rail position on the AK. then rivet it on.

almost sounds too easy to me, what am i missing?

The last time I tried to mount a scope mount on an AK, the pressure from crushing the rivet moved the mount enough that the scope wouldn't come close to zero. The best I could do was 11 inches off-center. I had to cut and destroy the receiver.

hmmm... ::long pause:: maybe i can find the correct position to mount the rail, then tack it in place with the mig then rivet it. OR!! instead of rivets plug weld it in place using the rivet holes.
i think this is going to keep me busy when/if i get around to it.
either way swapping the scope is secondary. i want it on the Mosin with the ability to remove it and return to zero.
can anybody school me on the available rails? ive heard some rails arent compatible with others. is there a preffered setup/style/manufacturer? is there a quality issue with any? basically what (if any) rail is going to be sturdy, accurate, and not leave me wondering if theres a better option?

It's been done by several folks with good results. I'm also in the process of putting one on my MN. This is the one I'm using:

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=177

Here's another web site that might help you out:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/mosinsniperproject/index.asp

I have a PSOP 6X scope that I'll be using on my MN carbine. Should be a good fit.

Good luck with your project!

Look here:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=137063