Hot Tip For Loose Sight Slot

[jerrywh]

 How many times have I heard what shall I do when a builder accidentally files too much from the sight slot and the slot is loose in the dove tail?  Hundreds I guess. The standard fixes are solder in the slot. Punch marks in the barrel, Loktite and so on which never really do a very good job of tightening up the dovetail.  Well here is one  that really works and it will stay as good as if should have originally.  Nobody will ever be able to tell it was ever loose.
   Place the sight blade upside down in between the vise jaws. Don't put too much pressure on the blade so as not to scar it up. Now take a small hammer and pound on the sight base. It is best to use a cross peen hammer so as to spread the sight base in length.  This will thin the base but very slightly. It will also lengthen the base and make it fit tight in the dove tail. Nobody will ever know.   Have fun

[Treebeard]

Thanks for the tip Jerryth. I have used the punch mark technique on a number of occasions with success but will try your suggestion next time. Sounds like a good way to go.

[smart dog]

Thanks for that, Jerry.  I almost certainly will need to give it a try.

dave

[Eric Krewson]

I almost always take one too many file strokes and end up with  loose sight. I started peening the sight bottoms a couple of guns ago, works great.

[Barry Myers]

That is a good tip!  Be careful about pounding too hard on a machinist's vise.  Better to use your post vise.

Barry

[BOB HILL]

Don't hit it that hard, Barry.     Bob

[Long John]

I am reminded that I should listen to those old guys - they know stuff!

Thank you Jerry!

Best Regards,

JMC
John Cholin

[jerrywh]

 Use American made vise.

[smylee grouch]

Thanks Jerry, I had done the solder (thin tin) method before and it worked but I think this would work better.