Factory red ramp inserts

[Louie]

I have a pinned barrel model 63 4" that I am going to be selling. The factory plastic red ramp is loose in the dovetail. I used to have the epoxy kits with the hardener and all and the orange pigment to mold and then file to shape a replacement. I no longer have that stuff and to buy it just to do one sight is pricey. Do any of you have a solution to repair or replace this plastic front sight that you have used and it worked?

Any help is appreciated..

 

[VM]

I have made them out of jb weld and then used nail polish or testers {model kit} paint. It worked great and looked good.

 

[dfariswheel]

One option is to inject some Super Glue under the insert and press it down into position.

You can make an excellent insert with epoxy glue and red Testor's Model paint (solvent type).

Use a solvent like Acetone or lacquer thinner to degrease the sight.

Make up two "dams" from small, flat pieces of metal or plastic.

Apply a coat of wax to the faces of the dams, then clamp them to the sides of the sight blade with a small pair of Vise-Grips to form a mold around the dovetail.
The wax prevents the epoxy from sticking to the "dams".

Mix up some epoxy glue, something that has a longer working time than the 5 minute stuff. The 1 to 2 hour type is ideal.

After mixing the glue, put a SMALL drop of Testor's solvent base model paint in the glue and mix it thoroughly.
You need only a small amount, and the less you use the stronger the insert will be. If you use too much the insert will be weak and crumbly.
Experiment to find the right mix. Use just enough to color the glue properly.

Use a toothpick or small screwdriver to put a drop of the epoxy-paint mix in the dovetail.
You want exactly enough to fill the cut to the top of the sight, level with it but no higher.

Brace the sight, (or the whole gun if it's on the barrel) so the top of the sight is level.
This will allow the epoxy to settle level and not run out.

After the leftover epoxy is like a hard rubber, remove the mold and use a brass or plastic "knife" to clean up any excess epoxy.
Allow to fully cure for 24 hours in a warm place, and you're good to go.

An additional step you can do for an even more durable insert is to put S&W holes in the dovetail.
S&W does, or did drill two small holes in the bottom of the dovetail in the sight.
When filling the dovetail with the epoxy-paint mix, use a needle or toothpick to pack epoxy into the shallow holes.
These form "locks" that prevent the insert from coming loose or moving sideways out of the blade.

This home method works just as well as the commercial sets, and is considerably cheaper.
It's not really all that hard to do this with a little practice, and you can save some money.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I used the super glue method on one of my 29's, and it has held up to full power recoil with no problem.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

There's a white epoxy called PC-11 that you can pick up a good hardware store, add a pigment such as Testors to the color of your choice..
Clamp a couple of strips of plastic, metal or wood next to the sight to make a dam & use a release agent such as car wax & fill it up & dress it down with a file afterwards.. There's also kits from Midway & Brownells that are specific for this..
Here's a small video that Larry Potterfield has on YouTube that shows how to cut a slot & dovetail & he uses the resin & pigments to create a insert in a sight that doesn't have one..
YouTube - Gunsmith - Install red ramp front sight in S&W revolver

 

[Louie]

Thanks for the input folks. I am very familiar with the kits from Brownells. I have done dozens of them including cutting the dovetails and molding them, as I said in my original post. I was looking for an alternative to buying a kit to do dozens of them, in order to repair one, since I am no longer in the gun repair business. The epoxy colored with Testors and the super glue are both good ideas and what I was looking for. An alternative to buying the kit from Brownells that someone has used and has worked.

Thanks

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Your Welcome Louie..
Thanks for all the knowledge you shared with me in the past Sir!!
Gary/Hk

 

[ViperR]

Hey Louie,
Give us the ifo about the sale of your 63. I have a neighbor who just loves my 34-1 and this might be his new find. Thanks!
vipe

 

[retired2006]

Just wanted to chime in, I too have used the front sight insert kits over the years, and when I ran out of the liquid hardener, I found that I could still use the powder from the kit, then mix it with super glue, and it worked just fine !
I used the runny super glue, not the gel.

 

[ken158]

I have seen some that were cut and formed from a toothbrush handle that looked excellent and you get a choice of colors!