User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 2/25/2018 9:18:56 AM EDT
[#1]
I had files and a stone when I had to fit a front sight that was a few degrees off on the dovetail. I learned quickly the stone would only polish the metal, the files would remove it.
Brass bars in the vice jaws were perfect for this too. Just get a couple files. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/25/2018 3:20:38 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I had files and a stone when I had to fit a front sight that was a few degrees off on the dovetail. I learned quickly the stone would only polish the metal, the files would remove it. Brass bars in the vice jaws were perfect for this too. Just get a couple files. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/25/2018 8:03:20 PM EDT
[#3]
Almost any sight, front or rear will need to be fitted to the dovetail snugly.
Make your adjustment to the bottom flat. A piece of 220 grit automotive sandpaper taped on a glass block or knife sharpening stone works fine. Even pressure, oil, and check your progress frequently. My experience with Trijicon sights is to check after stroke. The Trijicon sights won't need much material removed before you can push them in safely. They must be snug/tight or you will have a different problem. And blue loctite is your friend on any sight install. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/26/2018 2:54:16 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Are there different types with different roughness or are they all the same? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I had files and a stone when I had to fit a front sight that was a few degrees off on the dovetail. I learned quickly the stone would only polish the metal, the files would remove it. Brass bars in the vice jaws were perfect for this too. Just get a couple files. Stones often go by the generic 'ceramic' name and are mostly rather fine (higher grit numbers). Files go from Bastard to Smooth. Nicholson has a 'Guide to Filing' floating around in PDF format. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/26/2018 4:49:28 PM EDT
[#5]
Thank you everyone for the replies. I've always liked doing my own maintenance on firearms so this is definitely a project I want to attempt.
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Almost any sight, front or rear will need to be fitted to the dovetail snugly. Make your adjustment to the bottom flat. A piece of 220 grit automotive sandpaper taped on a glass block or knife sharpening stone works fine. Even pressure, oil, and check your progress frequently. My experience with Trijicon sights is to check after stroke. The Trijicon sights won't need much material removed before you can push them in safely. They must be snug/tight or you will have a different problem. And blue loctite is your friend on any sight install. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/27/2018 7:58:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Would something like this do the trick?
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6686-6-Inch-Mill-File/dp/B000NPT7A6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519775616&sr=8-6&keywords=file
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2018 11:25:26 AM EDT
[#7]
For a one off job, these would do it:
https://m.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/files/12-piece-precision-needle-file-set-4614.html |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2018 2:17:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Would something like this do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6686-6-Inch-Mill-File/dp/B000NPT7A6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519775616&sr=8-6&keywords=file
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61PCZQ4P5sL._SL1500_.jpg |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2018 3:47:28 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Pillar (nn taper) files are usually preferred. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Would something like this do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6686-6-Inch-Mill-File/dp/B000NPT7A6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519775616&sr=8-6&keywords=file
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61PCZQ4P5sL._SL1500_.jpg 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2018 4:04:42 PM EDT
[#10]
I used a diamond type knife sharpener set from harbor freight. It comes in coarse, medium, and fine. I completely reprofiled a kensight to change a colt dovetail to a smith and Wesson. It took a while, but I had no other options. I have also used them to fit automotive glass that was too wide. These things have really held up for the abuse. LINK
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/1/2018 1:14:51 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Sorry, man. You're speaking Greek to me. Is the file I posted considered a pillar file? What is an "nn" taper? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Would something like this do the trick? https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6686-6-Inch-Mill-File/dp/B000NPT7A6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519775616&sr=8-6&keywords=file
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61PCZQ4P5sL._SL1500_.jpg is a typo for NO. As in NO taper. That is a tapered file. A pillar file is straight on all sides. Even if one side is round. The diameter of the side does not change. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/2/2018 9:53:57 PM EDT
[#12]
Well, one rear sight ruined.
Not surprised. I expected I would fuck it up. I wonder if Trijicon will let me buy just the rear sight and send them my slide for install? I’ll give them a call Monday and see what they say. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/3/2018 10:00:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, one rear sight ruined.
Not surprised. I expected I would fuck it up. I wonder if Trijicon will let me buy just the rear sight and send them my slide for install? I’ll give them a call Monday and see what they say. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/5/2018 3:14:49 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What happened? 
Long story short: removed too much metal and now the sight just slides freely in the rear sight channel. I started with filing along the base. After a while the sight was still rotating when I pushed it in (I have a MGW sight pusher that I was using) so I looked at the slide. The top of the slide that makes contact with the sight slopes back and that is where I should have been filing the corresponding surface on the sight instead of the base. 
If I had started at the top and left the base alone, it might have worked out. By the time I was done, it was useless. 
Hey whatever. It's just money, right? |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/5/2018 4:14:00 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm not an expert in the process of profiling a sight for install.
Long story short: removed too much metal and now the sight just slides freely in the rear sight channel. I started with filing along the base. After a while the sight was still rotating when I pushed it in (I have a MGW sight pusher that I was using) so I looked at the slide. The top of the slide that makes contact with the sight slopes back and that is where I should have been filing the corresponding surface on the sight instead of the base. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/87517/D1FF0E41-9CC2-4E94-A5E1-C563756AAEB7-472570.jpg If I had started at the top and left the base alone, it might have worked out. By the time I was done, it was useless. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/87517/9FB72FF7-8D45-4840-A58A-69155E98E49E-472571.jpg Hey whatever. It's just money, right? You're not done yet. Flip the sight over on a towel or rubbermaid drawer liner to protect the sight. A vise works well if you have one. Take a center punch and dimple the metal bottom of the sight. 2 or 3 or 4 will work fine. The friction of the dimple will hold the sight+blue loctite. It works! Or, cut some shim material from a feeler gauge. This is what a friend recommended when discussing an old Armscor 1911. That worked too. Help Good advice |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/6/2018 3:01:21 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ah, things happen. You're not done yet. Flip the sight over on a towel or rubbermaid drawer liner to protect the sight. A vise works well if you have one. Take a center punch and dimple the metal bottom of the sight. 2 or 3 or 4 will work fine. The friction of the dimple will hold the sight+blue loctite. It works! Or, cut some shim material from a feeler gauge. This is what a friend recommended when discussing an old Armscor 1911. That worked too. Help Good advice Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: I'm not an expert in the process of profiling a sight for install.
Long story short: removed too much metal and now the sight just slides freely in the rear sight channel. I started with filing along the base. After a while the sight was still rotating when I pushed it in (I have a MGW sight pusher that I was using) so I looked at the slide. The top of the slide that makes contact with the sight slopes back and that is where I should have been filing the corresponding surface on the sight instead of the base. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/87517/D1FF0E41-9CC2-4E94-A5E1-C563756AAEB7-472570.jpg If I had started at the top and left the base alone, it might have worked out. By the time I was done, it was useless. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/87517/9FB72FF7-8D45-4840-A58A-69155E98E49E-472571.jpg Hey whatever. It's just money, right? You're not done yet. Flip the sight over on a towel or rubbermaid drawer liner to protect the sight. A vise works well if you have one. Take a center punch and dimple the metal bottom of the sight. 2 or 3 or 4 will work fine. The friction of the dimple will hold the sight+blue loctite. It works! Or, cut some shim material from a feeler gauge. This is what a friend recommended when discussing an old Armscor 1911. That worked too. Help Good advice There is plenty of room for some UNF (or UNFF) set screws there. Straight down through the sight to hit the bottom of the dovetail. File any point on the setscrews flat. It will have plenty of clamping force and not create a dimple in the metal. Pointed (even cup point) will limit the ability to re-position the sight. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
