dove tail

[Brownie]

Is there someone I can send a barrel to to have a rear sight dove tail put in

 

[64Springer]

Williams Gun Sight Company.

williamsgunsight.com

Used them many times over the years.

70 bucks to cut a dovetail.

 

[Rifleman1776]

It is not a big project. You can do it yerself.

 

[64Springer]

It is not a big project. You can do it yerself.

With respect, no one can jump right in and cut a proper dovetail.

I've cut many dovetails by hand, and I still have to stop and think and get my bearings.

If this is a onetime deal, having it done professionally is the way to go.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

It is not a big project. You can do it yerself.

Its really not that challenging. Initially intimidating yes, but a hack saw and dove tail file do great work. A filing guide is also available but not necessary.

 

[64Springer]

It's not challenging for people who have the proper eye-hand coordination.

I've known shooters who couldn't tell the difference between a micrometer and a pickaxe.

And they didn't own any hand tools either.

 

[user 34300]

Be very carful with modern gunsmiths cutting dovetails in MLs. The average AR15 assembler will not have the skills needed to do a decent job. MLs use a much shallower dovetail than modern guns. Be sure and provide the sight you intend to use. Be very specific that you do not want it staked in place or peening the barrel used to tighten the fit. Both look terrible and have no place in quality work. To my eye messed up dovetails are an eyesore. I would not buy a rifle that had the sights staked.

Doing a precise job efficiently requires a milling machine. I have done many dovetails over the years. The eyeball and three corner file method is a huge pain. It also required precision measuring equipment for depth and angles. The chance of getting the sight cockeyed is very high. IT requires skill and patience.

I do it on the mill with a straight cutter followed by a 60* cutter. Once to depth and within a few thousands of width I then and only then pick up a safe side 3-corner file. Even on the mill there is a steep learning curve. The difference between a proper fit and a bad job is less than 0.001".

 

[Ed C.]

It's not challenging for people who have the proper eye-hand coordination.

I've known shooters who couldn't tell the difference between a micrometer and a pickaxe.

And they didn't own any hand tools either.

Definitely depends on your skill level and proper tools.. I've fit sights to existing dovetails. I wouldn't want to cut one from scratch on anything I valued.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

70 bucks plus shipping = affordable. Oops = expensive.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

It's not challenging for people who have the proper eye-hand coordination.

I've known shooters who couldn't tell the difference between a micrometer and a pickaxe.

And they didn't own any hand tools either.

But....you shoot with them???

 

[VAN]

This is the method I have always used found in an old booklet. I first practiced on a square stock metal rod found in the metal bin at a Lowes or Home Depot. After a few practice dovetail cuts in that I got it down pretty good. I did not stake the sights though just the bottom lugs.

 

[M. De Land]

Is there someone I can send a barrel to to have a rear sight dove tail put in

Any machine shop can do it for you very quickly. I always cut mine on a mill with a dovetail cutting tool as they will always be sharper and more precise than can be made by hand filing.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

It's not challenging for people who have the proper eye-hand coordination.

I've known shooters who couldn't tell the difference between a micrometer and a pickaxe.

And they didn't own any hand tools either.

I've known a few of those myself. That's why I never took them hunting with me.

Dovetails are not hard. The OP can tell in a little while if he can do the job if he tries it on some scrap metal or a piece of square stock from a machine shop. The post from Van above shows how it's done.