Front site screw inside the bore??

[cidirkona]

Ok, I just bought a shotgun (and yes, I read the TFL thread about buying one) and somehow completely missed that the front site screw sticks into the barrel about 1mm... I tried searching for a thread that might have the answer, but never found one.

How can I fix this?!?

Thanks!

-Colin

 

[dfariswheel]

Basically, the same way gunsmith's fit new sights.

After the sight is in place, the shank will protrude into the bore.

Using a Dremel tool and a fine stone, VERY carefully grind the shank down ALMOST flush with the bore.
Be careful to NOT actually mark the bore, so no slipping allowed.

After you've got it close, use a rubber polishing tip to take it the rest of the way.
After you've got it flush, either polish out the entire bore with steel wool on a rod to blend everything to a fine finish, or use finer polishing tips in the Dremel.

To polish the entire bore, use 0000 steel wool wrapped around a used bore brush, or make up a split dowel.
Chuck in a drill and run at medium speed, keeping the polishing head constantly moving.

In the old days before Dremel tools or Flex-shafts, gunsmith's wrapped fine sand cloth around a split wood dowel rod and either polished the protruding shank down by hand, or if they had it, a drill.

 

[Rupestris]

What make/model shotgun did you buy?
Some of the less expensive shotguns have a pressed in front bead. I assume it isn't a budget minded shot gun as most come with a vent rib barrel as well.
I'll also assume that the SG you bought has a fixed choke. Otherwise a sight screw going into the barrel would not allow a choke tube to be installed/removed.
If the front bead/sight screw can be unscrewed, simply take it out and remove a small amount with a bench sander and replace using some lock-tite.
Otherwise, use a small, fine file to knock down the protrusion inside the bbl.

If bought from a reputable dealer, you can take it back and explain to them thst no firearm should have a obstruction of the barrel. See if they'll replace the shotgun or barrel.

Congrats on the new shotty! Keep us posted.

cs

EDIT - wheel beat me to the punch. Quicker on the "submit" button I guess.

 

[cidirkona]

Hmm, seems I missed some fairly important information in there... sorry about that.

It's a mossberg 500a with a 20" barrel. The guy I bought it from said that he installed the buttpad (just a slip on with a hole cut for the rear stud), the heatsheild, front stud and hi-viz-ish front sight.

I would love to shoot slugs out of this guy, but don't really feel like blowing it apart in my hands... I'll try grinding it down later tonight with my dremel and polishing it up a bit. I don't have any pictures of the bore and the problem yet, but I'll take some. I'll keep you guys informed.

Thanks for the info too, I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy a new barrel!

-Colin