Crack in Front Sight Dovetail Slot

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mrh477

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Looks like someone probably tried to hammer in a sight insert without sanding/filing it down adequately. I can't imagine this is a particularly uncommon mistake. But I'm honestly at a loss as for how to fix it. Would some type of solder be adequate? Is there any way to fix this without damaging the bluing? Or should I just leave it as is and be very careful installing a new sight insert?

Thanks,
Matt
 
If you try and push another sight in there as is, the crack will lengthen over time.
I can't think of or know of any treatment but solder for your application.
 
IDK where you are but THIS: http://jmfmicroweld.com/ is the way to fix it.
This guy I taught to micro-weld and is a friend.

Look for something like this near you.
Deposit so small you can file it out easily and finish with a stone.

Won't even hurt the blue except where the actual weld bead is.

THIS IS HOW TO FIX IT. ;)
 
Pretty strange way to have a front sight installed being in line with the bore centerline. Recoil will always want to spit it out of the dovetail. I would think the least expensive and best permanent fix would be to have one of your machinist friends or gunsmith mill that dovetail off and cut a new dovetail the normal manner (perpendicular to the bore) then install a taller front sight blade to compensate. Where are you located?
 
Big7 said:
IDK where you are but THIS: http://jmfmicroweld.com/ is the way to fix it.
This guy I taught to micro-weld and is a friend.

Look for something like this near you.
Deposit so small you can file it out easily and finish with a stone.

Won't even hurt the blue except where the actual weld bead is.

THIS IS HOW TO FIX IT. ;)
Click to expand...
Have you tried it? Just curious. With JB Weld type, will it adhere to blueing?
 
kcofohio said:
Have you tried it? Just curious.
Click to expand...
Pretty good guess that he has as he indicated that he actually taught the guy he linked to at the website.

kcofohio said:
With JB Weld type, will it adhere to blueing?
Click to expand...
JB Weld is not the answer to this problem. You would not be accomplishing anything by putting it on the blued surfaces anyway. It would need to fill the crack and be clamped to squeeze the crack back together to bring it back into dimensional tolerance. That would squeeze out too much of the JB Weld.

Proper fix is either to have it correctly welded by someone who can micro TIG or laser weld or to machine away the dovetail, cut a new transverse dovetail, and install a taller front sight. I would do the latter as it will eliminate the welding and transverse dovetail sights are readily available in many different heights.
 
BBBBill has it right on the fix but depending on where you are, might be difficult to find a true craftsman.

Depending on how it was originally installed and whether it is a collectible, maybe easier and cheaper to just replace the front sight mount with a new aftermarket one if it is buggered. Try Brownells online catalog for some ideas. Major issue is to get one that enables you to get the same height as the old one (assuming it shot true to sights anyway).
 
Thanks for all the looks and replies, everyone.

I was unfamiliar with micro or laser welding before but I looked into it this morning. I haven't found anyone near me (south central Kansas) yet who does it but it certainly looks like the best solution. Small welds can be touched up easily with cold blue, and someday this rifle needs to be reblued anyway. Since I already have a sight insert I was really hoping I wouldn't have to replace anything. Ya, maybe it isn't as secure as a dovetail that's perpendicular to the length of the barrel, but I've had rifles with front sights like this before and I feel fine about them. If the sight insert is fitted carefully and tightly it won't go anywhere. If you're really concerned a little dab of red loctite or something similar will make the insert very difficult to remove.
 
BBBBill seems to have the correct solution. HOWEVER, you never said what the rifle actually is. An oldie, something recent, something imported, or what?
 
beag_nut said:
BBBBill seems to have the correct solution. HOWEVER, you never said what the rifle actually is. An oldie, something recent, something imported, or what?
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Ah, my bad. It's an old Mauser 98 guild rifle. Waffen Honold was the gunmaker/house that made it. It isn't a pre-war rifle so it isn't an insanely valuable collector's item that would lose value if modified. I picked it up for a good price because it needs some work, and hopefully it will become my go-to hunting rifle. Assuming it shoots accurately enough, that is. The barrel does have some pitting in it so it may not. Either way, it's a work of art to me as well as a fun project.
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Blue68f100 said:
Is there enough metal to remove the top ( dovetail base up) and recut the dovetail? Then install a custom from sight the correct height.
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There definitely is but I figured welding the crack would be a cheaper/easier option. Plus I wouldn't have to go to the trouble of finding a new sight insert.
 
Concur with BBBBill. Weld it, recut with dovetail cutter and then reblue.
 
Mill down sight recut dovetail reblue install taller sight. No guarantee that if crack is welded that it won't split again when you try to install new front sight.
 
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The crack was likely caused by something striking the side of the front sight. Properly welded with a correctly fitted sight, it is not likely to crack again. There are many thousands of that type sight giving good service.
 
243winxb said:
Would the sight insert have room for a screw that screws into the sight base? Then use acraglas from Brownells for the front.View attachment 775027
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Yep, sure does. That is my plan actually. I've used red loctite in the past on sights like this with good results but then getting the sight insert out is a pain. So with this one I'm just gonna drill and tap for a little set screw.
 
Big7 said:
IDK where you are but THIS: http://jmfmicroweld.com/ is the way to fix it.
This guy I taught to micro-weld and is a friend.

Look for something like this near you.
Deposit so small you can file it out easily and finish with a stone.

Won't even hurt the blue except where the actual weld bead is.

THIS IS HOW TO FIX IT. ;)
Click to expand...

id go the micro tig route looks alot easier to clean up and reshape, but if no access then go the route of tig weld and refinish you can try cold blue to touch up that area, will not be a 100% match but beats refinishing the whole rifle.
 
 
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