I have tried off and on for a couple of months now to remove the front sight on my 686. So far all I have accomplished is to break off a small piece of punch in the hole on one side. Going from the other side, I have apparently crushed the pin sa few thousandths, but haven't moved anything. In short, I have a mess on my hands. I have just about come to the conclusion that I am going to have to drill out the pin. The smallest drill bit I have been able to locate is .060 in diameter. I also have a new pin that came with a Millet sight that measures .060.
I don't know whether to try to use the oversize stuff or to order a .055 drill and some .055 pins from somewhere like Brownells.
Also, my drill press is a pretty big one. The chuck will hold at least a 5/8" bit. Not sure it will grab a bit less than a sixteenth, if it will even hold one that small. The drill press has an adjustable vise on the table, but again, it's probably too big to get the barrel in. Short version, I'll probably have to drill it by hand.
I talked to one gunsmith who said he could fix it. He had no idea what it would cost and has about 80 guns waiting to be worked on.
If I do decide to try to drill it out, what sort of fit should the roll pin have? Is it an interference fit? If so, how much? I'd like to be able to swap front sights without too much hassle, but of course I don't want the sight falling out on its own either.
I don't know whether to try to use the oversize stuff or to order a .055 drill and some .055 pins from somewhere like Brownells.
Also, my drill press is a pretty big one. The chuck will hold at least a 5/8" bit. Not sure it will grab a bit less than a sixteenth, if it will even hold one that small. The drill press has an adjustable vise on the table, but again, it's probably too big to get the barrel in. Short version, I'll probably have to drill it by hand.
I talked to one gunsmith who said he could fix it. He had no idea what it would cost and has about 80 guns waiting to be worked on.
If I do decide to try to drill it out, what sort of fit should the roll pin have? Is it an interference fit? If so, how much? I'd like to be able to swap front sights without too much hassle, but of course I don't want the sight falling out on its own either.
