HELP PLEASE! front sight ding repair

C

copter_dad

Inactive
I recently received a Colt Detective Special through the USPS. The front sight suffered a nice ding while in transit. The rest of the gun is in excellent shape. How do I proceed with repair? I am wondering if the sharp edge can be rolled back into position with some careful peening, then some file work and re-coloring. The impact created a nice flat surface and rolled the sharp edge over. The damage is far enough forward that it is not in the sight picture, with the exception of the rolled edge.95% of the damage is on the matte finish part of the sight, not the high luster blue of the muzzle end. I know I can't make it disappear, I just want to make it less noticeable and clear up the sight picture.
 

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looked like post office banged it on something. Did you buy it New ? otherwise, return it and say its defective
 
Sight ding

Unless you are a highly skilled tool maker I would recommend looking for a good !!!! Gunsmith. Otherwise it is going to show. Dan
 
you aren't going to get it where it isn't noticeable and may make it a little worse. It doesn't look like there is any blueing damage but to fix it will result in marring of the blueing. If it were me I would consider 2 ways, 1st would be to take a very small file and just file the side sticking out flush. Second way would be to find a good buddy to hold the pistol with the good side of the front sight on a flat anvil (he is going to have to hold it perfectly flat and firm). You take a small hammer and punch and tap the bad side back flush. you will likely have to clean this up with a file too but should result in less loss of steel.
 
A jewelry restorer could probably do a very clean fix on that. There are techniques for removing dings and restoring the original contour - and they'll often have the skills and tools to do this.
 
Do you have access to a heavy vise? If so, here is an idea that has worked for me. Make two pieces of steel to fit over the vise jaws. (The jaws are checkered, and you want smooth steel.)

Now hold the gun very carefully (or have someone do it) and insert the front sight into the vise. Tighten the vise. With luck, you will squeeze the ding back in without leaving any mark on the sight.

Jim
 
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