[Wwalstrom]

Remember, this is my first attempt at making a front sight. I had one of the machinists at work show me how to use the mill, and made an extruded "T" shape, and then went to work with my files. It took me a LONG time, and, frankly, I'm not too happy with the quality of my work ... but, I also learned a couple of things that should help me with my next attempt. I also cut the dovetail by hand ... without a jig, I just made a few passes with a file, and took measurements with my caliper.

Let the put-downs fly, but don't be too harsh!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h242/Wwalstrom/1858RemNA-SST/Sight/070203_1858RNASSTFS5.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h242/Wwalstrom/1858RemNA-SST/Sight/070203_1858RNASSTFS3.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h242/Wwalstrom/1858RemNA-SST/Sight/070203_1858RNASSTFS.jpg

[sundance44s]

Nice going on a first one ...You`ll be fileing it down some when you sight it in ...and it`ll look even better when its a little shorter ...it just looks a little tall right now ... i like the brass too . Glad it worked out so well ...and no mail order ...really a nice touch .

[Wwalstrom]

It's not "Way High" ... I measured the old one, which I had hit with the file, and this one is slightly higher that the old one. No offense was meant with REing you in the title, just wanted you to know I worked it out! Also, the pictures make it look much better than it really is ...

[sundance44s]

Ya did make me take notice ...other wise might have missed it ...I cut a front sight dove tail in one of my Pietta Remmies awhile back too ...I do like being to be able to drift it to correct windage ,,,The Ubertis and Euro Remmies come with the front sight dovetailed in ... I liked the larger frame of my Pietta ...and wanted to fix the windage shooting left ...I`ve since filed the dovetail on several rifles ...it does get easyer after the first one .

[Steve499]

I like it, Wwalstrom. You didn't sit around wringing your hands about your pistol's zero being off, you did something about it. I disremember who said it but the saying that only accurate guns are interesting sure describes my view. I can't live with any firearm which doesn't shoot where it's looking. Either it gets fixed or it gets out! If that pistol hits point of aim, that sight is BEAUTIFUL! If it don't, the whole gun's ugly as sin, regardless how the sight looks.

Steve

[Wwalstrom]

Gonna havta wait on finding out how well it shoots with the new sight ... been sub-zero temps around here for a week or so, and its supposed to continue for another week or two.

I was shooting decent (3-6 inch) offhand groups at 15 yards before I lopped the end of the barrel off.

[dpote]

Very cool. I've had the idea to make a front sight for my Remmie for a while now, this post has shown me I can do it...
My idea is to use an Indian Head penny for the sight. I'll post pics when it's done.

Thanks for the inspiration!
Dave

[Steve499]

If we could get Remington Kid back on here, he has an 1858 Remington replica he made a front sight for from an 1858 dime. Way back in the archives, at least 10 months, maybe more, he posted some pictures of it.

Steve

[Wwalstrom]

30 Grains Pyrodex P
Cabelas Wad, soaked in Remington Lube
.451 Round Ball
Remington #10 Percussion Cap
46 Feet

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h242/Wwalstrom/1858RemNA-SST/Targets/070210_1858RNASST-Target.jpg

Shot Saturday Morning ... and it was COLD. Doubtless, she can shoot better, but wearing heavy gloves, and using .451 balls, I think this was pretty good. I actually fired 3 cylinderfuls ... one left handed, one right handed, and one two handed. 5 shots missed the target completely.

I did end up taking down the front sight a bit (.06-.09"), and cleaned it up some.

[LubeckTech]

Do you Normally use .451 bullets?? If so you might experiment with something closer to.454 which is where I have settled for my 1851 piettas but my ruger old army perfers .457. Every gun is different.

[sundance44s]

Darn good shootin for a cold day and free handed ....she is shootin a tad low .

[Wwalstrom]

My preference is .454's, but the Gander Mountain down the road from work is closing it's doors and is clearancing everything. I got 5 boxes of .451's for $2.99 a box. I know they're not the most accurate ... but for that price, I figure it's worth sacrificing a bit of accuracy. Besides, they can always be melted down and recast to a larger size!

[Wwalstrom]

A bit warmer than last weekend, but still cold and windy.

Bumped up the powder charge, and went with a .454 ball. If you notice, I went on a little Cabela's shopping spree. Got a new Remington powder flask, a Ted Cash capper, and a spare cylinder (stainless steel).

46 Feet (15-1/3 yards)
35 Grains Pyrodex "P"
Cabelas .44/.45 Wad
.454 Speer Round Ball
Remington #10 Percussion Cap

I shot two cylinders from a rest, the new one first. The little cluster right above the bull was from the first cylinder. The group opened up considerably on my second cylinder. I used a standard target hold, so, I'm thinking I may have removed a bit too much from the front sight. But, again, I used a heftier powder charge, and If I back up a bit, I may start getting nice clusters in the bull.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h242/Wwalstrom/1858RemNA-SST/Targets/070217_1858RemSST-Target.jpg