The Basics About Changing Rifle Sights, Please

M

montelores

New member
Can someone give me an explanation about how to change front and rear dovetailed sights on a rifle? I have read other threads about specific pistols and revolvers, but I'd like to hear from someone with rifle experience.

I think that I understand the basic premise, but some more specifics would be appreciated. Please don't assume that I know anything about this.

Thanks,

Monty
 
Typically, they drive OUT from Left to Right (with gun barrel pointing away from you) and drive IN from Right to Left. Use a brass rod with some electrical tape on end to avoid marring sight or gun. Brace barrel solidly, place brass rod against sight, and tap with hammer. Note: Some sights are installed VERY TIGHTLY! Geared sight pushers are available from Brownells which work better but are a little pricey for one time use.
 
The bases are *usually* held on with 6-48 screws as well. Once you've removed a base, you can fill the holes with 6-48 plug screws available from Brownells.

Various sight heights (both front and rear) are available as well. Have a look through Brownells and Midways catalogs for a style you might like depending on your anticipated use. For a short range woods gun, look for a light colored large front sight. For range use a crisp black sight picture might be better for you.

I made a 1/4 square sight pusher out of brass, and used a small hammer to drive the sights. The brass will leave a mark that can be easily removed with a rag wetted with break-Free.

I had one of the threaded sight pushers and it was great, by the way.
 
If you hammer/driftpin a sight blade that's mounted in a ramp, be sure to support the ramp instead of the barrel - or the ramp could get itself departed from the barrel. ;)

The pin from a common household interior door hinge makes a great drift pin - I've used one for over 30 years w/o any issues.

.
 
If a non-marring drift punch is desired, don't use a hinge pin. Some of the old ones were brass, but all the newer ones are brass-plated steel.

Jim
 
Great information; thank you all.

About that "out from left to right and in from right to left" business; are the dovetails in the barrel not square? That is, are the front and rear of the dovetails wider on the right than on the left (not parallel)?

I'll most likely stick with a rear type that has the same "set-back" from the dovetail, so as to retain the same sight radius. Unless, of course, anyone has any other ideas to share. I'd like simple open sights, but with a finer "picture", if you will. The existing sights seem rather large and give a crude aim point.

One very nice fellow at our range let me shoot a few rounds with his Winchester 30-30, and the open buckhorn sights had a very small notch in the "V" which corresponded to a small bead on the front sight. It seemed quite precise (for open sights).

Thanks again, and please share your suggestions.

Monty
 
Depending on what rifle this is going on, check out a receiver sight. Williams makes a number of different models. You can leave out the screw in aperture and have a "ghost ring" effect which is really quick and very precise.
 
I believe that I'd like to continue with barrel mounted sights. My eyes definitely don't focus as well at near distances as they previously did. Brownells has a WDOS Williams sight I am considering.

Thanks again -

Monty
 
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