Front Sight base

[A Scanlan]

I have been asked to help a fellow gun club member do a little "reconditioning" on a TRADITIONS Pennsylvania rifle.  The front sight blade is broken so we are looking to replace the front sight.  The base of the original is about 1/8th thick (.136).  Looking at ToTW none of those offered have a base that thick.  Looking for EASY solutions using a thinner base.  Shim???

Thanks.

[Steeltrap]

I've used these TOTW "Oversized" Blade front sights in the past. The nice part is that you can easily file\sand\polish them to fit just about any front dovetail cut.  This may work for you

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/874/1/fs-fg-39-b

[FlintFan]

That one has an oversized blade.  If you need an oversized base, look at their part number FS-PA-39-B.

With a little modification that one should work based on your dimensions.

[A Scanlan]

Yes, easy to mis read "over sized" as to the blade or the base.  I need the oversized base.  And part # FS-PA-39-B says it is has a depth of .125.  Being brass the length and width can be filed to fit but it still looks like the base is not quite thick enough....do we "shim it"?

[JPK]

Re-attracting the blade to the existing base would seem the easiest solution.

[A Scanlan]

The blade is missing.

[Hatchet-Jack]

The options I see are:

• Get the TOW sight with the .125 base. Put several dimples in the base (and maybe also the bbl) to make it thicker/close the gap.
• Solder a piece of sheet brass on the sight to shim it. File it to the right thickness.
• Or make a sight by hand.

I think I would just make a sight with some scrap metal laying around the shop.

[whetrock]

If you have the original base and if it fits as it should, then it seems to me that the best solution would be to make a new blade and attach it to the original base, or have someone on here help you do that.
Send me a PM if you want help.

[A Scanlan]

PM sent.

[recurve]

https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p873/Kentucky_Rifle_Front_Sight_-_P283.html

this may fit cva and traditions parts are very similar

[A Scanlan]

That sure looks like a similar base but they don't give measurement that I could see.  HOWEVER, I just recently realized that while the thickness is as stated, the dovetail is only about .080.  This changes things.

[David R. Pennington]

Make one that fits. I make all my sights from scratch.

[rich pierce]

If you need a piece of brass for the base I can send you a piece 0.090” thick.

[MuskratMike]

Marbles makes front sights and some have a white dot, some have a brass dot on the front some I believe are all brass. This is one I put on a Hawken that had a damaged front sight, shows up real good with my old bad eyes using a peep sight. If I recall they have different base sizes and heights of sight. Sorry for the poor quality photos, camera on phone just didn't want to focus that close.

[A Scanlan]

Found one on line for $5 that should work with a bit of filing.  Let me see how that goes for now.  Many thanks to all who offered advice and help.

Since the owner will be shooting in some friendly competition with me I'm  wondering if I can make some careful adjustments....if ya know what I mean.