How is the front sight on my Pietta 1860 Army attached?

[toolslinger]

So if one successfully cuts a dovetail in the barrel where would you obtain a new taller front sight to install in it. Does someone make one or would y'all fabricate it?

 

[72coupe]

Midwayusa.com has them in the master catalogue.

 

[arcticap]

Some folks have used 1/2 of a coin for a front sight with or without a sight base to fit a dovetail.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=618957&highlight=coin

Or perhaps a tall front sight blank can be adapted to be compatable:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/advanc...395e50e3fda5a142&keywords=front+sight&x=2&y=4

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=front sight

This outfit will make one for you:

http://www.skinnersights.com/front_sights_5.html

 

[toolslinger]

Very nice Arcticap thanks for the links.

 

[chicharrones]

I finally got around to making the replacement front sight for my Pietta 1860. I tried to post about it in this old thread, but there seems to be a cut off time for replying since the thread is apparently too old. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=629508

I used an old steel washer, my Dremel, file, and fine emery cloth to make the new front sight. Since I am inexperienced at soldering on firearms, I am trying out JB Weld for now. The sight got some cold bluing once it was mounted. Since my 1860 was shooting 5" high at 25 yards, I increased the sight height according the the formulas presented in the old thread mentioned above.

I wonder how long this sight will stay on?

 

[NineMilePete]

I just purchased a 3/8" base, tall front sight from Dixie Gunworks. It is a quality constructed unit.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Wow, that looks GREAT! I still haven't done this to mine yet.

I'd imagine if you had a good, clean surface and enough area for the JB Weld to adhere to, it will hold as long or longer than a sight that was brazed on. JB Weld is tough stuff.

 

[chicharrones]

Wow, that looks GREAT!

Thank you, sir!

I'd imagine if you had a good, clean surface and enough area for the JB Weld to adhere to, it will hold as long or longer than a sight that was brazed on. JB Weld is tough stuff.

I did use my Dremel to grind little divots on the side of the front sight base (the curved part). I also scraped grooves in the curved cut out in the barrel. I have found that brake cleaner works great of removing fine films of oil for bluing, so I used that before using the JB Weld, too.

Time will tell if that is enough.

 

[chicharrones]

I just purchased a 3/8" base, tall front sight from Dixie Gunworks. It is a quality constructed unit.

I'd like to see your results when you get it mounted.

 

[St8LineGunsmith]

chicarrones your sight looks good if you sweated it on with some good solder it should stay put.

Your screen name makes me want some fried pork skin snacks

 

[chicharrones]

Mmmmm. Pork skins.

 

[BCRider]

One really does not need to buy a safety edge file. They are easily made by simply running one face over a coarse sharpening stone or lightly over a grinding wheel or sander of some sort to produce the safety face.

Taper style files are the ones generally sold in most regular hardware and tool stores. But if you can find a proper metal working tools outlet or mail order from some outfit such as Enco or KBC tools you can get a supply of pillar pattern files. These are all non tapered and work a lot better with any sort of jig you would care to employ.