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Expensive Optics Cheap

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Mongo
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Expensive Cheap Optics
Used Elcan M145C Optic - 1

The Elcan M145C Optic

The military has been using the Elcan M145C Optic for the M249 and M240 machine guns since at least February 2000. The optic does not have any internal adjustment for zeroing; instead it uses the mount to adjust windage and elevation. This makes the optic very rugged and well sealed against the environment. The M145 is designed to mount to the Military Standard 1913 rail. The reticule can be illuminated with a battery powered LED for low light shooting. There is a removable kill flash and laser protection filter mounted on the objective. The optic magnification is 3.4X and uses a ranging/BDC reticule. One drawback of the Elcan M145 has been its retail price of around $1,300USD.

Buying a Surplus M145C

Four or five years ago I saw a used M145C for sale at the cheap price of $300USD. I already own a M145C and decided I couldn’t pass up this one for the asking price. The rubber armor on the optic had separated from the underlying tube, it was missing the front lens cap and the battery compartment cap is a bit scratched up. I believed that at worse I could use some contact or rubber cement to stick the rubber cover back to the tube. I did not have a gun to mount it on but the price was too good. (This seems to be a pattern for me buying gun parts for cheap prices thinking that at some point I will have a use for them.) I placed it in my stash of gun parts and promptly forgot about it.

Repairing the M145C

One day I was surfing the internet gun forums while avoiding doing real work. I came across a post asking how to install a new rubber cover on an Elcan M145. This immediately brought the forgotten scope to the forefront of my mind. A short search yielded a seller on eBay selling new old stock rubber Elcan armor covers for $12 ea. I immediately ordered two because they were cheap (where have I heard this one before). I received them and they were as advertised new old stock. I then called up a pdf copy of TM 9-1240-415-13&P OPERATOR, UNIT, AND DIRECT SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL.
INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS AND SPECIAL TOOLS LIST for TELESCOPE, STRAIGHT: M145. This gave instructions on replacing the rubber armor cover.

Steps:

  1. Remove eye piece and objective covers.
  2. Remove kill flash and laser filter.
  3. Remove battery compartment cap.
  4. Remove the two Allen head screws securing the optical tube from the mount.
  5. Remove the old rubber cover from the objective end first then from the eye piece end.
  6. Pre-heat the new rubber cover to 120°F (49°C) to increase flexibility.
  7. Install new cover from eye piece end to objective end.
  8. Reinstall mount, laser filter, and kill flash.
  9. Reinstall lens covers.

Replacing The Rubber Cover

I proceeded to follow the instructions as the TM had outlined them. The removal of the mount revealed the shims that were between it and the optics tube. The shims were mentioned and a shim kit. Since I did not have the shim kit I chose not to touch them. Removal of the old rubber was very hard and I had to resort to cutting the cover at the object lens end to get it off. There was plenty of dust and dirt under the cover on the optics tube so I cleaned it with warm water and let it dry thoroughly before attempting to install the new rubber. I pre-heated the new rubber cover with a heat gun. I was very careful not to get it too hot but this did make the rubber much more pliable for installation. After reinstalling everything, including using low strength Loctite on the Allen head mount screws, I have a M145C ready to mount on a gun. Unfortunately I still have not figured out what gun it will go on.

 

Planning on Buying a Used M145C?

Here is some advice before you go out and buy a used M145C. Make sure it has as many of the parts as possible. Mine was only missing the front lens cover and can be replaced by a simple one. The kill flash and laser filter are manufacturer specific and Elcan has now discontinued the M145C. Make sure there is still NOS rubber covers being sold on eBay before buying one.

 

 

Mongo

www.John1911.com

“Shooting Guns & Having Fun”

Mongo
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