Hey guys. I installed sights a few days ago and got in two range sessions, about 200 rounds. I installed the front and rear sights using a nylon tool i made and pushed from the base of the sights, not the blade. Tool didn't slip. I filed down the front sight so it pushed in about 1/3 of the way. If the sight manufacturer will warranty out the sight (said it was steel, looks like pot metal) do i have to go back and sand the base/file the dovetail or since it's cheaper metal, am i OK to just shove it in there? It files REALLY easy. Do i risk a chance of damaging the sight if i pick up a set of brass punches (i know it will go in hard) or should i go back through the process and sand down the base? Is 1/3 of the way proper (sight manufacturer says to do so but i have heard people say they walk out after a bit). I'm new to "smithing" (if you could call what i'm doing that) but trying to ask a million questions and learn. The rear one went in nice and does not feel like the pot metal on the front one, so i have a feeling it will last. I was changing out the little fiber optic insert and upon pushing it back in the front blade fell off of the base and fell forward of the firing line. The R.O. called me later in the day to tell me he found it due to the F.O. (i wanted in case warranty needed it). I'm in shock...

So according to the company this has happened before, but from other various reasons besides "just cracking". The sight is made to be unfitted and pushed directly into the dovetail, the metal they use is soft enough to deform as it does in but supposed to be strong enough to not break. We'll see how it does second go.

What I would do on a deal like that is to file it for a close slip fit and put it in with red or green Loctite. It will be there till you drive it back out.

I bought nylon punches for this time around. File the dovetail? A video they made said sand so it fits 1/3 the way. Rep on phone says pound it right in, that's how it's designed.

Apparently rep on phone is neither a gunsmith or a craftsman.

I will take your advice. Now, is it 1/3 the sight or 1/3 the slide dovetail? I took it as sight dovetail and not slide.

I would use a small triangle file on the sight dovetail (not the gun dovetail) and file it so it will just fit all the way in with finger pressure. If you get it started, then drive it in it will just shave off the soft sight material and be a loose fit. Once it fits, clean both dovetails with solvent. Use a Q-tip so you don't get solvent on the fiber. Let the solvent evaporate and put Loctite on both dovetails and install. Get the sight centered, then let it sit for a day. Clean off excess Loctite with a cloth and/or Q-tips.

For a normal steel sight, you would file the sight dovetail to be the same as the original sight, then a slight taper on one side to get it started and drive it in with a brass punch. It should be a light press fit. You can measure the original sight at the small part of the dovetail, then make the new sight the same measurement. Work it down in increments, checking the fit often so you don't go undersize.

The back one I put some penetrating oil on a paper towel and wiped a layer into the slide dovetail. Put a drop of loctite in the set screw and tightened it down. I was planning to do the same for the front, minus the set screw of course. Is that acceptable? I know I can get a tight but not overly tight fit on the front one.

If you can get a correct press fit, you probably don't need the Locktite. If it's a slip fit, use enough Loctite to fill all spaces, then wipe off the extra. One drop probably won't be enough.

I will try for the best possible fit. But may i ask, when they say 1/3, 1/2 way in pressed by finger, does that mean 1/3 of the base of the sight or 1/3 of the dovetail in the slide? that's what i've been wondering since day 1 lol

I'm not sure locktite will hold it with the penetrating oil there.

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Certified NRA rifle instructor

I'm not going to fill in the voids with loctite, i'm going to try for a tight fitment. I'm just wondering if the penetrating oil was a bad idea or if it's not a big deal. I'm learning as i go... i put it in so nothing galled.

For a little peace of mind I went back in And degreased both the sight and slide and cleaned the set screw threads and put new loctite in. Hopefully that's enough to keep it still. Its dead center by both feeler gauges as was suggested to me as well as my digital caliper. Hoping the front sight goes well. I have 120 grit emry cloth as was suggested in the hi viz video. Just need to find something flat to put it on. I'll degrease the sight and dovetail before installing the front one as well. Sound like a plan?

Sounds fine. As far as the sight going 1/3 or 1/2 way by hand, you only want it to get started, maybe 1/10 inch or so, then the rest of the way should be the press fit.

That's how the sight I put in originally was. It pressed in maybe 1/6 the way into the slide and the rest was tight, but it moved.