[Coop de Ville]

Happy Fourth all, and thanks for the help.

I have an S-A milspec taht has had the front sight restaked once already and seems ok now. It had come loose after about the first 500 rounds. I like the milspec sights because I want to keep the gun as original as possible.

I have been told repeatedly to replace the front sight with a dovetail one. Does anyone make a dovetail front sight that would work with the milspec rear sight?

Also, what would dovetailing the front sight in cost?

Thanks and regards,

-Coop

 

[dfariswheel]

There is no real need to install a dovetail front sight. The reason sights come loose is improper staking. You see this mostly on non-factory sights installed by people who really don't know how to do it right.

If it comes loose again, send it to the factory, they'll get it done right.

For a good discussion of how to do this RIGHT, get a copy of Jerry Kunhausen's book on gunsmithing the 1911. Any owner of a 1911 should have this. It's full of good info.

 

[Mike Benedict]

I have had many factory staked front sights come off. I would just as soon not bother with them. So I just have them replaced with a dove tailed sight. About $25 plus the sight. You can get what ever height you want from Brownells.

 

[Coop de Ville]

Mike Benedict,

Do they plug or weld the stake hole when they install a dovetail? It seems that there would be some missing material in the slide where the staked sight used to be...

-Coop

 

[mike357]

the dovetails i have done, i have just broken the front sight off and cut the dove tail slot. there is usually a small slot left over but it is covered with the new front sight.