Colt 1860 replica foresight

[DuncanSA]

Having shortened the barrel and loading lever of a Colt 1860 Army replica, I now need to cut the the recess at the end of the barrel to replace the foresight.

Any suggestions? I have a medium equipped workshop (more oriented to wood than metal). I would like to do the job myself rather than go the easy "take it to a gunsmith"route.

 

[rcmodel]

Did you get the old sight out of the barrel stub?
If so, take a look at the slot in the barrel stub.

It may be a semicircle cut with the sight soldered in.

I believe you could do it free-hand with a properly sized Dremel cut-off wheel if you are very careful, and very good!

I'd use High-Force 44, or Stay-Bright silver-solder to put it back in.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=709&title=HI-FORCE 44? SOLDER

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFS75&P=FR

As for re-using the old sight?
You might need to make a new higher one with the shorter barrel. Then file it down to sight in when you get it shooting again.
Recoil will pull the gun up sooner with the shorter barrel.
How that will translate into POI on target with an 1860, I can't say.

rcmodel

 

[DuncanSA]

Thanks RC
I got the foresight out of the stub. It seems to have simply been press fitted into a cut-out obviously made with a circular tool. I have thought about using a Dremel but am a bit "chicken" to do it freehand - one slip equals a ruined barrel! I am looking at the possibility of using a Dremel in a drill-press stand.

Another possibility is to make a round foresight, as used in Remington replicas, which is press fitted into a round hole, but I would prefer to stick to the classical shape Colt sight.

I plan to make the new sight higher to lower POI - as with all Colt replicas, this pistol shot high to start with.

 

[Jim K]

If your shop is up to drilling a conical hole, you can use a sight like the 1851 Navy and install it like the factory did.

Just drill a hole and finish with a flat end drill. Then drop a piece of brass wire into the hole and use an arbor press with a reverse cone shaped punch to press the brass in and shape it at the same time.

Jim

 

[DuncanSA]

Thanks Jim
I've been thinking along this line, but would prefer the sloped 1860 Army foresight.

 

[44-henry]

I've seen some original 1860's that have had dovetailed sights installed on them after they were shortened. Properly done, this would be a good option.

 

[Jim K]

Cutting that semi-circular cut with a Dremel tool is possible. It is also possible to really screw up the barrel. Replacing the front sight is usually a job for a gunsmith with a milling machine, or at least a cutter in a rigid drill press.

Jim

 

[Onmilo]

3/32" or 5/32" arbor mounted shell wheel on a horizontal mill will do the cut.
Measure the sight width, they vary a little bit and the measurement will be more precise in millimeters than inch since the Italians use metric dimensions.
If you have a vertical mill, a 3.32" or 5/32" end mill will work fine.
Determine your depth and make a straight cut to length.
Flatten the radius on the sight and tin with silver solder, tin the cut too.
Press fit and solder the sight in place.