gonoles_1980
Member
I was shooting at the range yesterday, the front sight came off my gun, couldn't find it, so I probably need a replacement. Is this something I can do myself. Not sure locktite would hold the sight in place.
Repairing Front Sight Bisley Vaquero 357 5.5" barrel.
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Kp321
Member
Install the new sight with LockTite Black Max adhesive, available from Brownells, and stake it with a sharp chisel.
Varminterror
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Epoxy may hold it well enough. Send it back to Ruger and they'll put one back on, the right way, for free.
Blued model, or stainless? A GOOD smith should be able to silver solder the sight blade in place, of course, assuming they have a fixture for sighting revolvers, but you'll see a greater cost for rebluing if your revolver is blue. Equally, if you're willing to produce a fixture, and run silver solder, you could do it yourself. Again - this isn't great if your revolver is not stainless, since you're stuck rebluing.
Blued model, or stainless? A GOOD smith should be able to silver solder the sight blade in place, of course, assuming they have a fixture for sighting revolvers, but you'll see a greater cost for rebluing if your revolver is blue. Equally, if you're willing to produce a fixture, and run silver solder, you could do it yourself. Again - this isn't great if your revolver is not stainless, since you're stuck rebluing.
BBBBill
Member
I've had very good success using Brownell's High Force 44 silver bearing solder for replacing wayward front sights. The heat is much less than regular silver solder and you can sometimes avoid rebluing. As always, the key is proper prep. As noted above, the best solution is a trip to the mother ship. Ruger will do it for $0.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I would send it back to Ruger. Or, if paying get a different sight you like more.
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gonoles_1980
Member
I bought it from Bud's Gun Shop in Tennessee, have a lifetime warranty with them. The gun is 18 months old, it's the same one in my sig picture, stainless steel. Unfortunately my gunsmith retired 
. Went ahead and submitted a ticket with Bud's, I'll see what they want me to do. If it is still under the Ruger warranty they'll have me send it there. It's a shame, the sight is a $7 part. It's my favorite gun to shoot, had to be without it. Oh well. Thanks guys.
. Went ahead and submitted a ticket with Bud's, I'll see what they want me to do. If it is still under the Ruger warranty they'll have me send it there. It's a shame, the sight is a $7 part. It's my favorite gun to shoot, had to be without it. Oh well. Thanks guys.
Varminterror
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Why mess with a gunshop lifetime guarantee, when Ruger has a lifetime satisfaction promise, and the best reputation for customer service and satisfaction in the business? I've never understood why guys add a middle man...
Blue68f100
Member
Contact Ruger they should send you a shipping label for free back to them for repair. No money out of your pocket this way.
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gonoles_1980
Member
Good Question about the middleman, not sure why, it was $38. I'll keep that in mind in the future. Last time I sent a gun to Ruger it did cost me $25 shipping. Thanks guys, I will ship the gun back. Surprised the sight came off. I was trying a new load of Power Pistol using a ladder load of 7.7 to 8.1 grains with a 158 grain copper plated bullet. Was a little flashy and seem to make the barrel hotter than the old AA #5 load I had been using.
Coyote3855
Member
I have no direct experience with Ruger Customer Service, but they might send you a pre-paid shipping label so it doesn't cost you to send it in. Call them and ask.
Varminterror
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Generally, if a guy asks for it, and the service request is obviously "warranty type" work, rather than customer desires or customer damages, Ruger will send a shipping label, so you don't end up out of pocket for anything. Guys use middlemen, and I have had folks prefer to send through me many times over the years, even though I didn't do anything they couldn't have done themselves, but I've never understood why.
Front sights fall off; it's rare, but it happens. Whether it's caused by repeated impact hitting a perfectly soldered sight, or poor soldering by insufficient flux, insufficient solder, or insufficient heat, it does happen. Ship it back to the mother ship and mama Ruger will take care of it. I have a power custom front sight fixture, torches, and years of experience with silver soldering so I've done my own when I've shortened barrels or broken front sights - most folks don't.
Front sights fall off; it's rare, but it happens. Whether it's caused by repeated impact hitting a perfectly soldered sight, or poor soldering by insufficient flux, insufficient solder, or insufficient heat, it does happen. Ship it back to the mother ship and mama Ruger will take care of it. I have a power custom front sight fixture, torches, and years of experience with silver soldering so I've done my own when I've shortened barrels or broken front sights - most folks don't.
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gonoles_1980
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Update: Sorry, I've been busy and haven't gotten on in a while. Bud's Gun Store replied that Ruger will do the repairs. If they do, let them know and they will refund the cost of my warranty with them. I didn't even ask. I just got an RMA number from Ruger today, and will be shipping it back as soon as I get a brown box of the right size. All fairly easy. I will miss the gun while it's out . Not that I don't have several other guns to shoot at the range.
. Not that I don't have several other guns to shoot at the range.
FROGO207
Member
Kinda like sending a child to summer camp the first time.
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gonoles_1980
Member
Yeah, but when the kids go to summer camp and come back, you remember why you sent them
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gonoles_1980
Member
Have to give Kudos all the way around, Ruger repaired the sight, and I have my gun back. Bud's gun shop are refunding the warranty on the gun, just like they said they would. I am a happy camper, except I haven't been to the range all Christmas break.
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