Not my idea, I found a couple pic while surfing the net for scope throw levers but I thought I would post up how well my $.40 lever works. I never really had a need for a throw lever until I purchased a 4-16 scope and it sure seems to take a lot of cranking to go from one side to the other so I started researching levers and finding the cheapest generic lever at $50 I had all but given up because I didn't need one that bad on a hunting rifle.
I then ran across a couple posts about guys using big zip ties as throw levers so off to the hardware store I went. Didn't realize how wide and long zip ties have gotten in recent years. I ended up picking up a pack of 25 ties that are a little over a 1/4" wide and 25" long. Now to do this deal 25" is over kill but I figured if I had to have 25 ties I might as well get some long enough to do other things. What I was really looking for is a tie with a big head that I could hook my thumb or index finger on to spin the scope powder ring and these ties fit the bill.
I figured out where I wanted the zip tie head so it cleared the bolt handle and left enough room to get my fingers under when the power ring was in its furthest left or right position. I tightened the tie as much as I could but found it was to loose and slipped on the scope ring so I slid the tie off the front of the ring and gently tightened the tie 2 clicks. From here I had to slowly work the tie back onto the power ring as its a tight fit. I can run the powder ring back and forth now and even put some pressure on the tie after it stops with no slippage. The zip tie worked so well on the 4-16 I put one on my 3-9 as well. As you can see from the pics the scope is a Vortex which has a knurled power ring so this might not work as well with a scope that has a smoother ring but for $.40 its worth a try. I payed $10.00 for the bag of 25 zip ties.
Once done make sure the end of the zip tie you cut off is flush with the head of the tie as that little bit of plastic sticking out can cut you, in my pic I hadden't shaved off the tag end yet.
I then ran across a couple posts about guys using big zip ties as throw levers so off to the hardware store I went. Didn't realize how wide and long zip ties have gotten in recent years. I ended up picking up a pack of 25 ties that are a little over a 1/4" wide and 25" long. Now to do this deal 25" is over kill but I figured if I had to have 25 ties I might as well get some long enough to do other things. What I was really looking for is a tie with a big head that I could hook my thumb or index finger on to spin the scope powder ring and these ties fit the bill.
I figured out where I wanted the zip tie head so it cleared the bolt handle and left enough room to get my fingers under when the power ring was in its furthest left or right position. I tightened the tie as much as I could but found it was to loose and slipped on the scope ring so I slid the tie off the front of the ring and gently tightened the tie 2 clicks. From here I had to slowly work the tie back onto the power ring as its a tight fit. I can run the powder ring back and forth now and even put some pressure on the tie after it stops with no slippage. The zip tie worked so well on the 4-16 I put one on my 3-9 as well. As you can see from the pics the scope is a Vortex which has a knurled power ring so this might not work as well with a scope that has a smoother ring but for $.40 its worth a try. I payed $10.00 for the bag of 25 zip ties.
Once done make sure the end of the zip tie you cut off is flush with the head of the tie as that little bit of plastic sticking out can cut you, in my pic I hadden't shaved off the tag end yet.
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