Making rifle sights

[agaboric]

I was just wondering about how you would go about making rifle sights from scratch. I have a CVA hawken that is my only shooter right now and it has adjustable sights on it and honestly I do not want to buy sights for it. It is not that I am cheap (Iam) but I want to learn how to make stuff. I am new to bp shooting and I really want to learn how to make and build rifles but I thought this could be a fun project. I am new like I said so my tool list is small which also matches my funds right now to.

As a side note are there any books or resources that are a must have for aspiring gun builder such as myself?
Thanks,
Andy

[beleg2]

Wellcome!

Making your own sights is very interesting but you need to know what design you want.
Search for "sights" here and you will see some options.
As for books I love Alexander book: "The Gunsmith of Grenville County - Building the American Longrifle"


This thread is very interesting:
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=9176.0

hope this helps.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Wm. Buchele covers how to make sights in his Recreating the American Longrifle, a book that has been around for a long time, and is still one of the best sources for new builders.

[Stophel]

I usually hacksaw them out of a suitably sized piece of junk mild steel.  Sometimes I take a thinner piece, and forge up the sight blade by bending it over...then it's file, file, file. 

[Mike Brooks]

A hacksaw and a file will about cover it.

[Roger Fisher]

Wm. Buchele covers how to make sights in his Recreating the American Longrifle, a book that has been around for a long time, and is still one of the best sources for new builders.

I use ol Bill's "light trap" rear sight on my rifles....Takes me hrs and hrs with ahacksaw, small square, drill, files etc to make one.  

[Acer Saccharum]

I use ol Bill's "light trap" rear sight on my rifles....

so THAT'S your secret Roger!

Hacksaw, files, vise.

Also look in the Tutorials, there are several vises to hold sights while working on them.

Tom

[Pete G.]

I use a short piece of mild steel angle from Lowe's. Most of the forming is already done.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Roger, do you use the square drill to make square holes?  Can you buy rectangular drills to cut the slots in barrel keys?

[California Kid]

I want the rectangular drill! Sounds handy for slots!!!

[Roger Fisher]

Roger, do you use the square drill to make square holes?  Can you buy rectangular drills to cut the slots in barrel keys?

Well now I'm usually swiming up stream so I may as well try to get square pegs into round holes.  Too thick headed to go with the flow..

Ok so I fixed it!  Forgot one little comma and you guys zero'd in on that,, picky picky!

[Don Getz]

Roger....I caught that one too...."a square drill?"    @!*%, you're older than I thought.   As for making sights, a milling machine works wonders when you come to doing this.    Occassionally I will get one from Allen Martin, he has a friend that mills some out for him.   On the other hand, you can make them using a hacksaw and files.   It also speeds things up
when you know how to file..............Don

[Captchee]

when you know how to file..............Don

 words of wisdom right there

[Ephraim]

I use 1\2'' inch. key stock cut it out with a hack saw drill your shader before you cut it out just drill part way you will see as you go.
Ephraim

[agaboric]

When you speak of "mild steel" does that mean that it is easy to work? Or is that a industry name or will any piece of steel do, that is not hardened or tempered obvisusly. Like I said I am pretty green as far as rifle building goes so I guess I should order that book you guys speak of and go from there.
Thanks,
Andy

[Roger Fisher]

When you speak of "mild steel" does that mean that it is easy to work? Or is that a industry name or will any piece of steel do, that is not hardened or tempered obvisusly. Like I said I am pretty green as far as rifle building goes so I guess I should order that book you guys speak of and go from there.
Thanks,
Andy

Well, a machine shop I have not!  So, I used the jaws from and old pipe wrench not hardened of course...

[brokenflint]

Agaboric,  Generally it is easier to work, is on the lower carbon scale, so it doesn't harden very well, eg doesn't make very good blades.  Example would be A-36 the type of steel used in concrete reinforcing bars.

[P.W.Berkuta]

Here is a link that may help you understand some basic metal properties ---http://www.mcmaster.com/#metals/=6564l7
Or do a search on Hot Rolled Steel, Cold Roll Steel, High Carbon Steel - etc.  Good Luck.

[northmn]

Mild steel is low carbon unhardened steel.  I ahve made rear sights but often buy them as my time is not worth the small cost of the sight, but again it can depend upon what one is trying to accomplish.  Front sights are easier and make most of them.

DP

[smylee grouch]

You can make about 10 or more out of a foot long section of hot rolled 1/2" steel.  All the books mentioned so far will guide you where you have to go. Good luck, and if it dont look right throw it and make another.   Gary

[Swampwalker]

Ya they're pretty easy to hacksaw out of a piece of mild steel, just think about your cut sequence, so that you have something to grip while you're sawing!