Setting fixes sights

[Ted W. Coombs]

In the past, when setting my fixes sights on my flinter, to keep them from moving I,ve taken a metel punch and taped the edge of the sight base and dove tail. Has anyone got a favorit or better way to set your sights to keep them in place? Thanks :bow: Teton Ted

 

[runnin lead]

In most cases just dimpling the bottom of the sights with a centerpunch will tighten the sights fit enough , if it gets it too tight just file it down a little & try again .
any centerpunching on the barrel dovetail should be saved as a last resort as it causes disfigurement.(JMO)
Also looking down the barrel, from the right in, to the right out.

Jim

 

[Ted W. Coombs]

Thanks Jim, Good idea. Would it work ok if I dimpeled the bottom of the dove tail on the barrel? Thanks Teton

 

[ohio ramrod]

Another thing you might try is to tap a hole in the site base at an angle and then use a set screw to tighten the sight. This does not distort the dovetail, can be covered with beeswax to conceal, and can be lossened again if desired.It is not origional but is effective and convienant.

 

[runnin lead]

Dimpling the bottom of the dove tail would work but if at all posible you would want to leave the barrel alone and do anything you can to the sight to tighten things up to where your sight would be tight but still moveable with a good brass punch.
I have read that even the machining of dovetails in to a barrel for sights & underlugs causes metal displacement resulting in ever so slight a restriction that it reduces accuracy.

 

[jimmy82]

Teton: the name for that technique is "staking" or so the army says. I've staked all my barrel lugs on the barrel dovetails and I staked my rear sight on my .50 with no loss of accuracy. I boogered the rear sight dovetail on my .45 and had to solder it in. My front sight posts have all been so snug to begin with that I haven't done anything to any of them.