installing a dovetailed sight

[Davo]

I have no experience using a dovetail joints. Recently I bought an aftermarket front sight and sight base, and I cant get them to mate. I am pretty sure they are the right size. Ive done a light polishing to the "male" joint, but still no luck. I have tried both a nylon punch and a small c-clamp, but no luck. Any suggestions?

 

[gamachinist]

Hello Davo,
There are about three commonly encountered angles on dovetails.
Often the bases will be just a little larger than the slot also,requiring a sight base file of the correct angle.

What kind of gun are you working on and what brand sights are you using?

 

[Davo]

This is a sight modification to a ruger 22/45 target model. The sight and base are from marble. I am upgrading the sights per this article...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/sight_improvements.htm

The rear sight mod went fine, but the front one has me stumped.