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03-01-2017, 08:21 PM
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Idea for making a fixed front sight replaceable (warning: potentially insane)
I've been looking at ways to do a fiber-optic sight on a revolver with a fixed front ramp for a while and I think I might have found a way that hasn't been attempted yet. Unfortunately, this, like every other solution, requires permanent modifications to the firearm.
If anyone's seen a Ruger LCR front sight, it's essentially a "cap" that fits over a small nub on the front of the barrel and gets pinned in place:
Here's what the LCR looks like with its sight removed (not mine):
Now obviously I still need to do a lot of measuring, but it seems that you could cut and file the front ramp to replicate that "nub" and slide the new sight over it. After lots and lots of careful fitting, of course! Probably not a good idea for fixed rear sight guns since I don't know how high or low the new sight will be but it should work for adjustable sight guns.
Anyhow, just throwing it out there. Let me know if anyone's tried it or something similar. If only Weigand still made their front sight kit...
Last edited by matteekay; 03-01-2017 at 08:22 PM.
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03-01-2017, 11:17 PM
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I believe Bowen was gonna make the Weigand front site base. They should have some by now. Good luck and show us the final results. Larry
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03-01-2017, 11:29 PM
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Not necessarily an insane idea (as I have experimented with sight ideas myself) but certainly something that should be kept to lower value guns - just in case it doesn't work out like you think!
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03-02-2017, 01:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jebus35745
I believe Bowen was gonna make the Weigand front site base. They should have some by now. Good luck and show us the final results. Larry
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Right you are. It looks like they finally have some, too.
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03-02-2017, 08:58 AM
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Actually I kind of like the idea. I have a mill and getting the front sight made into that configuration would be easy with a mill.
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03-02-2017, 09:19 AM
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I had a couple bucks in PayPal so I ordered a LCR HiViz front sight. I figure it's at least worth looking at measurements.
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03-02-2017, 09:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver
Actually I kind of like the idea. I have a mill and getting the front sight made into that configuration would be easy with a mill.
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A good man with a file can do the modification too, though a lot slower.
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03-02-2017, 10:10 AM
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Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problems with files. Use them a lot myself. Lots of real precision can be accomplished by someone good with a file.
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03-02-2017, 10:12 AM
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Nothing wrong with that idea. Not as fast a change as the Weigand but I'm not sure that's really necessary. I have a Weigand front and one of his target rear blades on my Model 66. I didn't realize he had shut down, but last time I was looking at his website it did appear he was out of a few items and I kind of expected that was going to happen. I bought a spare for my next project but good to know Bowen picked it up.
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03-02-2017, 11:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwolde
Nothing wrong with that idea. Not as fast a change as the Weigand but I'm not sure that's really necessary. I have a Weigand front and one of his target rear blades on my Model 66. I didn't realize he had shut down, but last time I was looking at his website it did appear he was out of a few items and I kind of expected that was going to happen. I bought a spare for my next project but good to know Bowen picked it up.
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It looks like the Weigand kit is more meant for guns that aren't starting with adjustable sights, right? Otherwise you'd have to mill that entire "platform" off of the barrel to replace it with the Weigand base.
I definitely think the LCR is do-able by a guy who's good with a file. I'm not good, but I do have files, lol. Luckily K-frame barrels abound if something goes horrendously wrong. I'll post up some findings and measurements once the sight arrives.
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03-02-2017, 12:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matteekay
It looks like the Weigand kit is more meant for guns that aren't starting with adjustable sights, right? Otherwise you'd have to mill that entire "platform" off of the barrel to replace it with the Weigand base.
I definitely think the LCR is do-able by a guy who's good with a file. I'm not good, but I do have files, lol. Luckily K-frame barrels abound if something goes horrendously wrong. I'll post up some findings and measurements once the sight arrives.
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They are intended for adjustable sight guns as far as I know. My smith milled off my entire front sight and cut a groove for the Weigand base.
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03-02-2017, 12:09 PM
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We have a local gunsmith machinist who mills the cast (forged?) in blade from the base on the barrel then cuts the slot and pinhole for a pinned on blade, of which there are infinite choices.
Can't tell it from factory.
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03-02-2017, 02:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TAROMAN
We have a local gunsmith machinist who mills the cast (forged?) in blade from the base on the barrel then cuts the slot and pinhole for a pinned on blade, of which there are infinite choices.
Can't tell it from factory.
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I've had it done that way too and it works well, but it gets a tad more involved changing the blade out. They come un-drilled so every blade has to be drilled to match each individual gun. Not really something that was meant to be swapped in and out over and over. Can be done, but a bit more problematic as pins get loose and you have to replace them or play "find my front sight in the weeds".
I like the Weigand base on Magnum revolvers, because I don't know how many times I've run out of adjustment with some load. When you move from a 200 gr .38 spl to a 110 gr .357 there's a huge change in the point of impact, you often run out of adjustment at the extremes.
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03-02-2017, 02:50 PM
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Take some small pieces of thin brass, stainless or copper and fit them around the existing sight and secure them with tape. That way if you slip of something like that the areas you don't want marked up are protected.
If there is enough metal in the base you could tap it for small allen screws and run one in from each side so the locked against each other and make a sight change out easier.
What I would like to find is a source for S&W grooved ramps for when I cut down barrels. If I cut it short enough I can salve the old sight, but, if you cut it where a forged ramp is you loose that ramp.
Last edited by steelslaver; 03-02-2017 at 02:56 PM.
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03-02-2017, 07:40 PM
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Please measure and post the measurements of the nub if you can so we don't have to buy a Ruger revolver.
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03-02-2017, 07:55 PM
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That, I can promise. I'll see if I have the stomach to start cutting...
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03-06-2017, 08:25 PM
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Okay, I have the LCR sight now. Here are the measurements; please note that these are approximations as I'm measuring the sight and not a LCR. Also, my calipers are from Harbor Freight, so there's that.
Sight: HiViz LCR2010-R Fiber Optic front LCR sight
"Pocket" Dimensions:
.319 Long
.103 Wide
.134 Deep (tall)
Distance from the front of the sight to the start of the pocket: .120
Sight base width: .245
Sight base length: .845
---
There's definitely enough meat on the front to make this fit. My front ramp measures at about .13 wide. It's going to sit maybe an eighth of an inch lower than the top of the current ramp; I *think* there's enough adjustment for it to be viable. I've already ordered the Weigand base as a backup so I might just have to give it a whirl.
Last edited by matteekay; 03-06-2017 at 08:26 PM.
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03-06-2017, 08:26 PM
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Y'know, looking at it, you guys with the goofy-*** partridge fronts may actually have an easier time fitting this.
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03-07-2017, 09:39 PM
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03-12-2017, 03:20 AM
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03-12-2017, 07:06 AM
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Good job! That really came out looking nice.
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03-12-2017, 10:53 AM
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Nice work! Thanks for sharing.
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03-12-2017, 11:22 AM
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All credit goes to my friend that did the milling. I mostly watched and tried not to touch anything, lol.
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03-12-2017, 12:35 PM
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Nice work. I like it.
Charlie
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03-12-2017, 01:26 PM
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Good job. Mill made it a lot easier than a file didn't it? Mills are very high on the list of handy dandies.
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03-12-2017, 01:36 PM
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Do you want to do my M14-4???
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03-13-2017, 03:44 PM
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well great work...i like it...thank u for sharing it...God Bless,John
u have a good friend too...
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03-13-2017, 04:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jringo8769
well great work...i like it...thank u for sharing it...God Bless,John
u have a good friend too...
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The best! Thank you.
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03-13-2017, 04:13 PM
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well i love to see anyone thinking out of the box and making something work...this is what inspires us all with our adventures....God Bless,John
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03-13-2017, 04:23 PM
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The neat thing would be for someone to figure out how to modify for the quick change sights like the ones on the 627 Pro one others. Or maybe like the Ruger front.
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03-13-2017, 04:31 PM
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Well, there's the Weigand/Bowen DX base that takes those, though you have to lop off a lot of metal. The other option is to mill the ramp off, cut a channel in the "platform" on the front of the gun, and pin the sight in that. It's been done, but it would be a lot more work if you wanted to incorporate the spring and plunger.
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03-13-2017, 04:37 PM
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hey i did not realize this as well...with that mod u did...i bet u could add the other front ramp available if u decide to get rid of the fiber optics too...
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03-13-2017, 04:47 PM
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Yup, anything that fits on a LCR will now hypothetically fit. I know there are XS Big Dots and a few other options out there.
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03-13-2017, 04:48 PM
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Perhaps the simplest, if you have access to a mill, is to mill off the front blade and cut a dovetail in the ramp. That's probably what I'll do if I ever have the need to change front sights on a revolver.
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03-13-2017, 07:48 PM
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How does your POA and POI match up now?
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03-13-2017, 08:33 PM
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I've only checked it with a boresighter, but very, very low. I've raised the rear almost as far as it can go and that got it level. I have a .160 blade on the way and that should help. POI will have to wait until that gets here and I finish doing the action tuning.
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03-13-2017, 09:20 PM
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Nice idea and work. Your work is 180 off from mine. I'm about
to mill fronts off two 25-5s and cut key slot to install Patridge
blades. Going to do maiden voyage on a 19 for practice, before
taking the plunge on the 25s.
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03-13-2017, 09:31 PM
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Definitely a bunch of ways to skin a cat. In the end, they all (hopefully) have the same results!
...naked cats, I think?
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03-13-2017, 09:40 PM
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DRM50,,
I wouldn't attempt to tell you what to do, but my first thought when reading your post was this: If ya got two 25's and only one 19, why not practice on the 25 that you smile at the least and save that fine old 19? You gotta realize that I am very attached to 19's. I like 25's as well, but ... well, that's just what I thought so I posted this here. I sorta suspect you ain't fixin' to mess up on which ever one you start on, but no doubt you'll learn some things and get some experience with the first one. I wish you the best of luck with the jobs ( cause I figure you are gonna do all three of 'em if the first one works out OK!). Let us know how it goes!!
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04-12-2017, 06:24 PM
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Quick update on this:
The POI and POA are way off after the mod (no surprise). I initially installed a .160" blade and that was hitting 4" high at ten yards with the sight bottomed out. I'm currently picking up one of each size (.106", .126", .146") and I'll report back on what works best.
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04-19-2017, 11:46 AM
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Follow-up to my follow-up: with a .146" blade, bottomed rear sight, and center hold, POI is about half an inch high at ten yards. This is perfect for me to use for IDPA since I tend to pull a little low in action shooting. I can always use a 6 o'clock hold for precision shots.
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