Thanks Tom , I have not drilled any holes so far as I am useing a very low temp Silver solder for the mount testing until I decide which way to go . Some side mounts are hugely cumbersome and don't hold a zero : I have seen this more than once . As I will be using a compact Zeiss scope I won't be needing a large mount but it has to be stable . I really do like the short rail I have on there now and plan to use double lever QD rings . Also the iron sights must be quickly usable by detaching the scope .