Tikka T3 / T3x - DBM for AICS Magazines (CTR inlet)

Tikka T3 / T3x

DBM for short-action AICS magazines using the factory 'CTR' inlet

Assembly required

A high-quality DBM which accepts all short-action AICS pattern magazines (223 / 308 / WSM) utilizing the Tikka T3 / T3x 'CTR' bottom metal inlet and sharing the same factory CTR appearance. This inlet is shared with other Tikka T3 / T3x variants that use this same bottom metal - the 'Arctic', 'Wild Boar', 'Ranch' and 'UPR'. However any Tikka T3 or T3x model will fit into a Tikka CTR stock and a number of stockmakers inlet in this pattern (see table at the bottom of this page). AICS magazines have a number of advantages over the CTR magazines. These include allowing a longer COAL, a lower price for comparable quality, being available to suit more cartridge case types, and being made by more manufacturers.

Features

• Machined from 7075-T76 aerospace alloy then hard coat type 3 anodized
  
• Accepts all short action AICS pattern magazines (223 / 308 / WSM )
• Ambidextrous fit to both right-handed and left-handed rifles
• Trigger guard is scalloped for better access to magazines lever
  
• All edges chamfered or filleted to eliminate sharp edges everywhere
• Includes bedding pillars and action screws
  
• Includes spare parts (lever pins and lever springs)

Weight

• Standard version: 5.11oz (145g)
• Barricade version: 5.62oz (159.4g)

Construction

• The magazine well and trigger guard are CNC machined from high quality 7075-T76 aerospace alloy then hard coat anodized (black)
  
• The magazine lever is CNC machined from 17-4 stainless steel then glass bead blasted
  
• The pillars and action screws are included and are made from 316 stainless steel
• The coil spring for the magazine release lever is made from piano wire and then zinc plated
  
• All other minor components are stainless steel.

Fitting Guide

We supply this DBM in component form. It was initially designed as a wholesale product at the request of a few commercial stock manufacturers in Australia and Europe. The DBM is priced very competitively to reflect this and for the volumes we produce them in. Different makes and materials of stocks have minor variations to the spacing of the front and rear action screws (i.e. the pillar heights). For this reason fitting is required noting the steps below. If in doubt, we can provide advice via email but a competent gunsmith may be required to undertake the installation.

(1) Recommended tools for assembly are:

• 3mm metric hex key
• 4mm metric hex key
• small nylon punch
• 2mm (or 1.5mm) steel pin punch
• flat smooth file
• small wire cutters
  
• nylon bench block
• gunsmith's hammer

(2) The magazine release lever is deliberately manufactured to the maximum possible length where, with the supplied pillars installed, AICS magazines just click in and the bolt just clears the feedlips. Many shooters will want a slightly looser fit than this, whereas some will not. We have tested this precise fit with multiple magazines from Accuracy International, Accurate Mag, Alpha Industries, Magpul, and MDT. For a reliable fit to your specific rifle the magazine lever may need to be filed down to suit your personal preferences. We recommend first assembling and testing the DBM to your rifle. If the lever is shortened, we recommend only taking 0.5mm off the tip before refitting and testing magazine function.

(3) The coil spring that provides tension to the magazine release lever is deliberately manufactured slightly longer than required and cannot be installed at full length. We supply 3 coil springs, only 1 coil spring is required. Use wire cutters to remove coils until you have achieved the tension preferred for the size and weight of AICS magazines that you intend to use (in most cases this will be 3 to 4 coils). If you cut off too many and aren't satisfied with the tension, you have 2 spare springs. Test magazine release thoroughly based on your shooting style, with this design some shooters will remove magazines using their index finger (generally requires less tension) whilst others with their thumb (generally requires more tension), and a 10 round steel magazine will always require more spring tension than a 3 round polymer magazine.

(4) We recommend the installation of the pillars for any stock which does not have aluminum bedding or similar. This includes all the factory Tikka T3 / T3x stocks. Installing the pillars prevents over compression in laminate / walnut stocks and also removes other variables associated with the factory synthetic stocks caused due the molding process used to manufacture them. As outlined in #2, our design relies on accurate spacing which these pillars guarantee.

(5) Take care when assembling the magazine release lever, spring and dowel pin. Close attention is needed to avoid marring the anodized surface of the triggerguard when tapping in the dowel pin to secure the magazine release lever and the spring. Use a nylon punch to first get dowel pin in 95% of the way, then carefully use a 1.5mm or 2mm brass or steel pin punch to finish placing it with one firm tap. We recommend placing the triggerguard against a padded surface or on nylon bench block to drive in the dowel pin. Note that the dowel pin is splined on one side and is designed to sit slightly recessed from either face of the triggerguard.

(6) If any of these steps are unclear, we recommend taking your DBM to a gunsmith for installation.