Sight file recommendations

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Aggie1105

Aggie1105

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Howdy All,

I have a CVA kentucky rifle I got from a family friend. I found some better sights matching the dovetail widths that I want to replace the old sights with. The front sight drifted in fairly easily. The rear sight doesn’t want to go in. I could just barely get it started, but couldnt drift it farther than that. I’m hoping to file the sight ever so slightly to get it to fit. I’ve read from other posts to file the sight not the barrel. What file sizes/types do you recommend for filing the sight dovetail? Also, is it better to file evenly across the bottom of the sight or on one angled side of the sight?

I appreciate any advice. First time mounting any sort of iron sights so forgive my ignorance.
 
A special file is made just for that, and I recommend a jig to keep it in line. I'm pretty sure both are available from Brownells.
 
You are correct in filing the sight base not the barrel. The cast sights you buy are cast slightly oversized and are meant to be filed or sanded to fit. If it was mine I would remove metal from the bottom of the sight (very small amount at a time) try it and when it starts into the dovetail about 1/4 of the way I would drive it in the rest of the way for a tight fit.
Depending on how much metal you need to remove I would first use a 220 grit abrasive paper on a FLAT piece of MDF, or flat glass and start rubbing the base of the sight on the abrasive until you get it to slide 1/4 of the way into the dovetail. You might need to "break" the sharp corners of the sight base to get the sight to enter the dovetail. You can also use an abrasive stone such as used for sharpening knives but make sure the stone is flat not dished out from sharpening a lot of knives. Using a fine file would be my last choice. You will be surprised at how little metal is needed to be removed for a tight fit.
P.S. use a brass drift to install the sight base into the dovetail so that you don't deform the sight base and bugger it up. Good Luck!
 
ZUG said:
You are correct in filing the sight base not the barrel. The cast sights you buy are cast slightly oversized and are meant to be filed or sanded to fit. If it was mine I would remove metal from the bottom of the sight (very small amount at a time) try it and when it starts into the dovetail about 1/4 of the way I would drive it in the rest of the way for a tight fit.
Depending on how much metal you need to remove I would first use a 220 grit abrasive paper on a FLAT piece of MDF, or flat glass and start rubbing the base of the sight on the abrasive until you get it to slide 1/4 of the way into the dovetail. You might need to "break" the sharp corners of the sight base to get the sight to enter the dovetail. You can also use an abrasive stone such as used for sharpening knives but make sure the stone is flat not dished out from sharpening a lot of knives. Using a fine file would be my last choice. You will be surprised at how little metal is needed to be removed for a tight fit.
P.S. use a brass drift to install the sight base into the dovetail so that you don't deform the sight base and bugger it up. Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Much appreciated! I have some fine sandpaper and a flat counter. I have been using brass drifts so all set there. Once I can get it 1/4 into the dovetail, do I stop removing material and get the rest of it in just by drifting it?
 
My reply to your question is - yes - BUT you need to get the "feel" on how much force is needed to move the sight. If you need to use a two-pound hammer to move the sight then you need to sand some more and conversely if thumb pressure is all that is needed to move the sight, then you went too far.
 
Aggie1105 said:
Howdy All,

I have a CVA kentucky rifle I got from a family friend. I found some better sights matching the dovetail widths that I want to replace the old sights with. The front sight drifted in fairly easily. The rear sight doesn’t want to go in. I could just barely get it started, but couldnt drift it farther than that. I’m hoping to file the sight ever so slightly to get it to fit. I’ve read from other posts to file the sight not the barrel. What file sizes/types do you recommend for filing the sight dovetail? Also, is it better to file evenly across the bottom of the sight or on one angled side of the sight?

I appreciate any advice. First time mounting any sort of iron sights so forgive my ignorance.
Click to expand...
If your sight starts but you can't get it any farther try a piece of sand paper not coarser than 400 grit and rub the base of the post two strokes and try it if it doesn't go rub it two more strokes try it again! Don't over do it but if it get a little loose use a center punch and lightly tap the base of the dove tail on the rifle in a few places.
 
ZUG said:
My reply to your question is - yes - BUT you need to get the "feel" on how much force is needed to move the sight. If you need to use a two-pound hammer to move the sight then you need to sand some more and conversely if thumb pressure is all that is needed to move the sight, then you went too far.
Click to expand...
Sounds good! Thank you so much for the advice
 
LME said:
If your sight starts but you can't get it any farther try a piece of sand paper not coarser than 400 grit and rub the base of the post two strokes and try it if it doesn't go rub it two more strokes try it again! Don't over do it but if it get a little loose use a center punch and lightly tap the base of the dove tail on the rifle in a few places.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
ZUG said:
My reply to your question is - yes - BUT you need to get the "feel" on how much force is needed to move the sight. If you need to use a two-pound hammer to move the sight then you need to sand some more and conversely if thumb pressure is all that is needed to move the sight, then you went too far.
Click to expand...
The front sight did go in with just some heavy thumb pressure. I might need to shim it or find a way to keep it locked in place
 
I use a small mill file and start with it flat on the bench. I’ve never put one on a muzzleloader but on my BP1886 lever actions I switched the sights out to express sights. 45-70 & 45-90.

I file the bottom of the base of the sight first. Light pressure, run the sight up the file.
I find that by doing the base first, that some will start enough to drive it all the way in.

I wouldn’t file anything else unless necessary. Hold the file in your hand and run the sight up it with the sloped flats in contact with the file. But you probably won’t need to. It’s not rocket science.

If you take off too much, you peen it until secured.
 
I use a 3 sided safe file, meaning one side has no teeth. Don't know if you can buy them, I just remove the teeth from one side with a belt sander, making sure you keep the file cool. I then work the edge of the dovetail with the sight upside down in a vice, with the safe side on the top of the vice. Much easier with the front sight, but can also work for the rear.
 

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