Fixing a Loose Front Sight on a K-22 Masterpiece

[DCWilson]

I recently acquired a Pre-17 (1953, judging from the serial number) that was in nice shape aside from needing a cleaning and -- alas -- some front sight work. The standard K-22 blade rocked a little side to side in its slot.

When I drove out the pin and pulled the blade, I got the impression that the slot sides were not completely parallel. The rib didn't look bowed, so I provisionally attribute the looseness to a sloppy cut at the factory, hard though it may be to accept that obvious a failure of quality control. But the slot was definitely a few mils too wide for the blade.

I cut a tiny strip of aluminum foil that would just wrap the semicircular mounting portion of the sight and pushed it back into the housing. Success! Tight fit. The pin drove through the foil without a complaint, and now everything is snug and immobile.

My only concern right now is chemical interplay between the foil and the steel. I know that iron oxide and powdered aluminum make thermite -- the classic "rust and dust" bomb -- but in the absence of oxygen it seems to me this ought to be a safe association.

So say you all? If there is any chance of fostering corrosion or a sudden heat surge with this combination, I'll pull the blade again and shim with something safer that I hope others may suggest.

 

[tomcatt51]

Get some 290 Loctite. It wicks in and once cured will leave the front blade nice and tight.

 

[davemercer]

Get some 290 Loctite. It wicks in and once cured will leave the front blade nice and tight.

Loctite is wonderful stuff. As an example the rear sight of ashley big dot sights for glocks are fitted loose in dovetail with large gap at bottom. They use red loctite to fill in and hold in place.

And loctite does a neat job. And excess will not harden and just wipes off.

 

[Sebago Son]

Aluminum and Steel....

Theoretically there is cross deposition of electrons in this joint type. However, I see Carbon and Stainless Steel fasteners used in Architectural Aluminum applications all the time.

Some of these joints are even structural.... The ASTM / ASME say you aren't supposed to do it, but it's done. I've never seen a Curtain Wall or Skylight collapse and kill people because of it....

I think you have more to worry about from a Martian Invasion than if your K-22 is going to turn to dust because you used an aluminum shim in the front sight....

 

[tomcatt51]

I think you have more to worry about from a Martian Invasion than if your K-22 is going to turn to dust because you used an aluminum shim in the front sight....

But aluminum foil does repel the Martian Death Rays.

 

[cgt4570]

Another option would be to fill the hole in with high tensile strength silver solder, then re-drill the pin hole that's been 'wallered' out.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Locktite is a solution, another is to remove the blade, then peen the bottom of the blade to widen it and then place it back in. If done correctly the peening won't show.

When working on guns you always modify the "cheaper" part.

 

[tomcatt51]

Locktite is a solution, another is to remove the blade, then peen the bottom of the blade to widen it and then place it back in.

Easy to say, harder to do in practice and have it not wiggle. A drop of 290 Loctite on each side of the blade takes care of it. Pick your poison.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

How you peen the sight: Lay the sight down on the table. Then lay a harden rod on the side and bottom edge of the sight. Then you tap down slightly to deform it. Continue this over the entire surface. As you tap, metal is forced not only outwards but down. As you place it back in the sight will be noticeably tighter (thicker) and slightly taller.

I do this to the removable front sights or dovetail sights on pistols.

I agree locktite is quicker and easier to do. Just showing another way that's all.