I have a revolver with a fixed sight that has a notch for a red insert. Would it be possible for a gun smith to fill in this notch with metal and grind it out so it looks seamless? Or would it be cheaper to replace the sight entirely?
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Front sight insert for revolver
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The sight is integral with the barrel and unless you are willing to grind it and braze a new one on, there is no replacing it. I suppose you could have it welded (to look solid) and refinished, but it's just not worth the time, money, trouble and effort! The best way is to buy the kit from Brownell's and install a new insert yourself. The insert substance comes in different colors and is easy to do.
Delta Rose
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It be cheaper to melt a toothbrush handle and fill it in.
I recommend using the wifes.
I recommend using the wifes.
45Smashemflat
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dfariswheel
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Fingernail acrylic can be used to cast inserts into the dovetail, and something similar is what gun makers use.
You can also use one hour epoxy and a very small amount of model car paint to color it.
This requires some experimentation...too little and the color is light, too much and the epoxy gets crumbly when cured.
Inserts can be made from solvent proof plastics like toothbrushes, but my favorite is brightly colored cheap screwdriver handles. Many hardware stores have a basket of cheap tools and often you can get good colors for a buck or two.
Making the tiny insert requires some very finicky hand work.
Any gunsmith worth the name can do it for you.
An insert doesn't have to be ref or orange.
Here's one in a S&W sight. I installed a Black insert then carefully ground in a very shallow White oval. From the rear it looks like a round White dot.
With a White bar painted under the rear sight notch I have a nice Von Stavenhagen sight.
When casting or gluing in a solid insert, fill the holes in the bottom of the dovetail. That forms a "lock" to prevent the insert from ever coming loose.
You can also use one hour epoxy and a very small amount of model car paint to color it.
This requires some experimentation...too little and the color is light, too much and the epoxy gets crumbly when cured.
Inserts can be made from solvent proof plastics like toothbrushes, but my favorite is brightly colored cheap screwdriver handles. Many hardware stores have a basket of cheap tools and often you can get good colors for a buck or two.
Making the tiny insert requires some very finicky hand work.
Any gunsmith worth the name can do it for you.
An insert doesn't have to be ref or orange.
Here's one in a S&W sight. I installed a Black insert then carefully ground in a very shallow White oval. From the rear it looks like a round White dot.
With a White bar painted under the rear sight notch I have a nice Von Stavenhagen sight.
When casting or gluing in a solid insert, fill the holes in the bottom of the dovetail. That forms a "lock" to prevent the insert from ever coming loose.
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Here's a Midway video on it.
Access Denied
Not sure why it's denied, it takes you directly to Midwayusa.com gunsmith videos.
Access Denied
Not sure why it's denied, it takes you directly to Midwayusa.com gunsmith videos.
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Welcome! This appears to be a 4" model 19 and the red front sight insert was standard.
I would also vote to replace it. But if the bright color bothers you, make it black.
I would also vote to replace it. But if the bright color bothers you, make it black.
Clean with alcohol. Use two-part epoxy. Color it with Testor’s. Use scotch tape on each side to hold the shape. Carefully file/sand the top flat after it hardens.
Important: Let Testor’s sit open until it has partly dried to a putty-like goo before mixing into epoxy - otherwise it seems to dilute the epoxy and looks strange. Might take a week or so.
Front sight insert homebrew
Not hard to do. And not hard to redo, if need be!
Important: Let Testor’s sit open until it has partly dried to a putty-like goo before mixing into epoxy - otherwise it seems to dilute the epoxy and looks strange. Might take a week or so.
Front sight insert homebrew
Not hard to do. And not hard to redo, if need be!
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