Front sight swap

[carguychris]

Howdy all,

I've read some threads on swapping a pinned front sight, and I believe I have a handle on the basic procedure, but I have some quick questions.

1) What tools are required? Here's what I've gathered so far:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Small cup pin punch - size?
<LI>Drill bit - size?
<LI>Hammer - have!

<LI>Anything else?[/list]
2) Is it advisable to attempt this without a drill press?

3) Based on past experience, are the chances of damaging the roll pin high enough to warrant buying a replacement just in case?

Thanks!

 

[carguychris]

Howdy all,

I've read some threads on swapping a pinned front sight, and I believe I have a handle on the basic procedure, but I have some quick questions.

1) What tools are required? Here's what I've gathered so far:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Small cup pin punch - size?
<LI>Drill bit - size?
<LI>Hammer - have!

<LI>Anything else?[/list]
2) Is it advisable to attempt this without a drill press?

3) Based on past experience, are the chances of damaging the roll pin high enough to warrant buying a replacement just in case?

Thanks!

 

[Texas Roots]

I'd sure clamping or otherwiase securing the new sight in place while drilling. It has a tendancy to "jump out" while drilling, so you might end up with the hole in the sight in the wrong place.

You can drill without a drill press if you're brave but I'm not as brave as you are.

Drill bit size is either #54 or #55...I'm sorry, I can't remember exactly which one....others here will be able to nail it down for you.

If you have the correct ROLL PIN PUNCH assuming you're punching out a roll pin, you won't damage the pin.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Carguychris,

I have a lot of experience in changing out the front sight - I did it once, but it came out perfectly! Please be aware that the original front sight will sometimes stick into the slot and will not come out easily. Depending on the finish on your revolver, and how stubborn the front sight is, you may want to have a solvent - or two available such as rubbing alcohol or acetone to squirt down the sides of the front sight. Let it set for a few minutes, and use a PADDED pair of vice grips to see if you can get it to come out (this is what worked for me). You can also use heat, but acetone was close at hand to me, and it worked like a champ. By the way, you will need the #54 drill bit (available at most well stocked hobby stores). I agree with Texas Roots, you should use a drill press for this operation. Work slowly and carefully, and try to drill only half way through one side, and then stop, flip the piece over, and complete drilling on the opposite side. By the way, to keep the replacement front sight blade in place prior to drilling, you may want to insert it into the slot, and then secure it with a few turns of duct tape. As I recall, there is a video on the Midway website that shows you how to do this if you want the step-by-step.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[epj]

I have been trying for a while to change out the front sight on my 686. So far, I haven't been able to budge the roll pin. I have managed to break off a small piece of punch on one side. The biggest problem is I can't find a roll pin punch the right size. 1/16" is about the smallest I can find in any of the cataloges. What is the right size and where can I find one? I am guessing it's going to have to be about .050-.052, but it's also going to have to be made from some pretty good material in order not to bend/break. HELP!!!

 

[625smith]

I changed the pinned sight on my 627. I must agree with Double-O-Dave the old sight can be difficult to remove. I removed the pin with a Brownells cup tip punch #080-620-005AA .050". I fitted the new front sight in the pistol. I used a pin vise with a #54 drill and carefully drilled both sides of the new sight just enough to get the point of the drill into the sight. I then removed the new sight and completed drilling in a drill press. I drilled half way through the sight them flipped the sight over and finished drilling through the sight. Do not get in a hurry and I am sure you will have success. Here is a picture of my 627.

 

[epj]

Even armed with the stock number, I cannot locate that punch. Matter of fact, I couldn't find any punch smaller than 1/16".

 

[tomcatt51]

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=656&st=&s=

 

[epj]

Thanks, I found the cup tip punch. Wonder if it would remove s stubborn roll pin?

 

[tomcatt51]

You want a flat tip punch for the roll pin. The 1/16" Protos I have are turned (polished) down slightly. (Edited)

 

[epj]

So far, all the flat punches i have encountered measure .0625 or thereabouts. Chucked one up in the drill presss and turned it down to about .052-3, and now have a broken piece of it stuck in the pin hole.

 

[tomcatt51]

Originally posted by epj:
So far, all the flat punches i have encountered measure .0625 or thereabouts. Chucked one up in the drill presss and turned it down to about .052-3, and now have a broken piece of it stuck in the pin hole.

I use these: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=2209061&PMT4NO=58396546
They're the only ones I've had hold up if the pins are being stubborn. I had to turn it down slightly.

 

[Texas Roots]

epj, I've heard some 'smiths have to drill out the pins; sometimes it seems that the pins have been installed with a Loctite product and you'll have hell trying to drift out the pin if thats the case.

 

[625smith]

Loctite can be removed with heat. How much heat depends on the type of Loctite. The green pin retaining Loctite typically requires 400°F to break the bond.

 

[tomcatt51]

SuperGlue De-Bonder will release Loctite. An undersize punch or one with a rounded instead of sharp flat face can swell/deform the roll pin making things more difficult. Drilling is sometimes required. I put the solid pins back in. Much nicer.

 

[epj]

Just successfully changed the front sight in my beater Ruger Security Six. They use a 1/16" pin. Whole process took about 20 min. Used a piece of broken drill bit to drift out the pin. Sure wish the S&W were anywhere near as easy.

 

[keppelj]

I changed the sights on my 617. I snapped off a drill the size of the pin and used the shank to drive the pin out. I then used a steel flat ended punch about 1/8" diameter to drive the original sight out, rocking it from front to back until it came out being careful never to contact the barrel itself. If your eye is good you can drill the hole in the new sight going in from each side using an hand drill.