[J Sanders]

My father has one of these with the front sight machined onto the slide.
I've decided to get the tools from Brownells to change front staked on sights.
What would be the best way to convert this commander to a staked on type front sight? Something that will work with a replacement back sight that will use the factory dovetail.
I don't have a milling machine.
How would you locate the hole, for the front sight,the part that goes through the slide to be staked on?

 

[Rosco Benson]

That pistol's front sight is staked in place. The front sight is plated the same colr as the slide, but it is not integrally machined with it. C. "Blindhogg" Williams has an excellent on-line article on staking front sights at http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/stakedfs.html

When ordering a sight set, keep in mind that your older Colt will have the so-called "narrow tenon" froint sight. King's Gun Works makes several sight sets that would work well. Brownells sells 'em http://www.brownells.com

If this were my project, I would go with the King/Tappan sights....for nostalgia's sake.

Rosco

 

[J Sanders]

Thank you Rosco, you were right the front sight is not part of the slide just finished the same.
Blindhogs sight is a meca of info for wan-a-be pistol tinkerers.
JS