Front sight install guidance?

Ben Jefferson

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Just replaced the sights on a new 1911 and the front sight dovetail seemed quite loose!

In fact I could force the front sight blade fully from L to R, or R to L without exceptional force on my fingers. Is this exceedingly odd, or not that unusual?

Right now I have installed it with RED Loc-Tite, centered it and allowed it to dry.

Is this a concern long time?

Call the Mfgr?

Call Springfield Armory?

What say the wiser than I?
 
Definitely not normal and I don’t think loctite will help much since it sounds like the gap might be a little too big (compared to threads).

I don’t think SA will do anything since this is the result of an aftermarket part.

Sorry I don’t have a solution other than buying a new sight that requires filing to fit.
 
You can take the front sight and place it upside down between the jaws of a vise and peck the base lightly a couple of times with a small ball peen hammer and punch to tighten the fit.
 
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You can take the front sight and place it upside down between the jaws of a vise and peck the base lightly a couple of times with a small ball peen hammer and punch to tighten the fit.

So, to be clear lowspeed, you are referring to slightly flexing the lower plate of the sight to create an arch effectively increasing the size relative to the dovetail?

That makes sense!
 
This has nothing to do with a 1911 but I had a similar experience with a Truglo front sight on a Shield. Installed it and after shooting a few magazines and reloading, there was no front sight to be found. o_O

This was at a CFF meet and shoot a couple years ago and the amazing @eddie0225 dug around until he found it in the tall grass. Truglo sent me a new one with no discussion. It seems that, if the tolerances stack (dovetail at the max, maybe sight at the minimum), this often happens.
 
Order some green Locktite 620 in the smallest tube from Dawson’s. They’ll mail it for like four bucks. Do what low speed said, then clean the sight and slide with q tips and alcohol, shake up the locktite, apply, push in the sight and let it sit for 24-48 hours.
 
So, to be clear lowspeed, you are referring to slightly flexing the lower plate of the sight to create an arch effectively increasing the size relative to the dovetail?

That makes sense!
Exactly! It doesn't take much, so you can sneak up on a snug fit.
 
I will get some green. Thank you for your responses and experiences.

I just spoke to the sight's mfgr and he explained his thoughts that the major gun manufacturers are pressing the sights in hydraulically and this can open the dovetail by 0.001 or so. It wouldn't take much!

Anyway, they told me to let it ride and he would get another set in the mail to me. Can't argue with customer service.

It is XS Sights.
 
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BTW, thanks for the help folks! Just because I was a JarHead I was not a weapons mechanic. Beyond a 50 caliber or a GAU I only touched the damn things to qualify. I fixed and flew helicopters!
 
You can take the front sight and place it upside down between the jaws of a vise and peck the base lightly a couple of times with a small ball peen hammer and punch to tighten the fit.
This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Order some green Locktite 620 in the smallest tube from Dawson’s. They’ll mail it for like four bucks. Do what low speed said, then clean the sight and slide with q tips and alcohol, shake up the locktite, apply, push in the sight and let it sit for 24-48 hours.
This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Also, take a Brass hammer and tap vigorously on the Top of the dovetail Slightly peening in the edges Before doing the two above things. That should Snug it up. Also, use your punch to rough up the floor of the dovetail.
 
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So, to be clear lowspeed, you are referring to slightly flexing the lower plate of the sight to create an arch effectively increasing the size relative to the dovetail?

That makes sense!
Put a few very small dimples on the base of the site to increase the height
 
Is silver solder an answer here or does that ruin the finish?


Funny you mention this Catfish. I was, and still am, considering melting a drop of solder on my SS table and then peeling it off and placing it under the front seat while installing.

I just fired a couple hundred rounds and it's hangin in there!
 
Funny you mention this Catfish. I was, and still am, considering melting a drop of solder on my SS table and then peeling it off and placing it under the front seat while installing.

I just fired a couple hundred rounds and it's hangin in there!
The trouble with silver solder is that an all steel 1911 slide is a huge heat sink. I tried to silver solder a front sight in to replace an old staked sight. I couldn’t get the hole hot enough for anything to stick.

I realize my example is somewhat apples and potatoes.

And that’s what she said etc, etc...
 
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The trouble with silver solder is that an all steel 1911 slide is a huge heat sink. I tried to silver solder a front sight in to replace an old staked sight. I couldn’t get the hole hot enough for anything to stick.

I realize my example is somewhat apples and potatoes.

And that’s what she said etc, etc...

I was thinking more to act as a shim to bring the sight up and add pressure to the dovetails.

You're right about the heat tranfer. Kind of like trying to solder a 2" shutoff valve with a propane bottle.
 
You can cut a strip of aluminum the shape of the base and slide it in with the front sight. It works.
 
Aluminum and steel are not compatible long term, use brass or stainless shim stock if you can.

if you flip the sight over and create dimples along the edges with a punch you’re not creating an arch, you’re spreading the metal out. This is called peening. You’re getting a new sight anyway, so maybe give it a try with this one.
 
I've got strips of BEER cans involved in several of my weapons
Buying a case of beer just to use one can seems excessive!! What a waste.

Honestly, I'd buy the correct sight and forgive myself for buying the wrong size. Hope the suggestions work though.

Interestingly, Les Baer used to install the front sight by drilling a hole down thru the sight. He would then line it up in the dove tail. Then he would drill thru that hole slightly into the slide. Then he would installed a short roll pin all the way into the hole in the slide. Mine is done that way. Easy to drill out the roll pin and reinstall if need be but it isn't ever going to move otherwise.
 
What happened to a lick or two with a hammer? If that makes you nervous place a punch on the surface to be pounded and then frail away, works for me.
 
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