1851 Navy front sight?

[happybrew]

I'd like to replace the front sight on my 1851 Navy revolver, but I can't quite figure out how to remove it. Any suggestions? It's a Pietta from Traditions. Thanks in advance!

happybrew

 

[Imaginos]

Don't

Most of the front sights on Colt type revolvers are press fitted into a hole on the barrel. The originals were factory regulated to hit at 50-75 yards. Who knows what the replicas are regulated for?

Unless you plan to cut out a dovetail and insert some form of blade, I would not try to remove/replace the little bead. Instead, I would get a triangle file and SLOWLY deepen and widen the rear sight notch on the hammer nose. This will allow you to adjust the windage and elevation at the same time to a specific load you plan to use.

Think about it. Replacing a screwed up hammer will cost a lot less than replacing a damaged barrel.

Go to sixgunner.com and search the black powder category for posts by "MCump". That is Mike Cumpston and he has some excellent posts about how to modify the hammer. He also takes some exceptionally good photos of the finished work.

 

[happybrew]

Actually, it's because somehow the front sight got bumped on something and bent. I bent it back, but now it has marks on it, and I'd really just rather replace it. Dixie Gun Works has a replacement, but I can't figure out how it comes out.

If it's press fitted, and I suspect now it is, that gives me a start. That means it won't unscrew.

happybrew

 

[Chawbaccer]

My old Euroarms had the front sight screwed in. Of course it fell out one day while shooting and a new one was fabricated and installed with Lock-tite.

 

[Imaginos]

Call Traditions

In that case, call Traditions and ask how it is attached.
I have always found them to be very helpful regarding their products.

 

[Old Fuff]

By far the best way is to have a gunsmith mill a small dovetail and replace the front sight with a higher one. The kind used in original military Mauser rifles works well, and are usually inexpensive. You can drive the sight in the dovetail to correct for windage, and if necessary file it down to correct for elevation. Incidentally, this was often done on the original guns during the 19th century, but they used sights intended for muzzle loading rifles. If you want to do the same Dixie Gun Works has a selection of sights.