Doogledog
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Has anyone ever staked a front sight on a 1911? Do I need a narrow tenon or a wide one? I'm replacing the sights on a Springfield GI model champion.
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Staking a front sight on a 1911
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Hunter0924
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The tenon size will be dictated by the cut in the slide.
There is a sight staking tool but I have staked a few with a quality punch (though it is a little harder and takes a little more time.)
You can call Springfield and ask them the tenon dimensions or pull your old sight and measure it.
I would guess it would be a large tenon but that is just a guess.
There is a sight staking tool but I have staked a few with a quality punch (though it is a little harder and takes a little more time.)
You can call Springfield and ask them the tenon dimensions or pull your old sight and measure it.
I would guess it would be a large tenon but that is just a guess.
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Doogledog
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I measured the slot and got approx. .080". The sights I'm looking at say the narrow tenon is .055" and the wide is .125". Is it better to get one with more metal than I need?
crankshop1000
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Get the right one for the cut in your slide.It's either wide or narrow.
Per Blindhogg Custom Gunsworks / C. Williams:
"The narrow tennon is .82 wide, and the wide tennon is the width of the front sight, at .125. Most of the more modern guns will use the wide tennon..."
http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/stakedfs.html (good instructions on staking)
But, I believe all Springers use a medium tennon; best to call SA about yours.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=22485&st=King Hardball Sights&s=
From Brownells: King's 1911 Fixed Hardball Sights - "Sets are available with .058” (1.47mm) narrow width tenon (N/T), .082” (2.08mm) medium width tenon (M/T) to fit Springfield Armory slides or .125” (3.18mm) wide width tenon (W/T)."
Hope this helps.
"The narrow tennon is .82 wide, and the wide tennon is the width of the front sight, at .125. Most of the more modern guns will use the wide tennon..."
http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/stakedfs.html (good instructions on staking)
But, I believe all Springers use a medium tennon; best to call SA about yours.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=22485&st=King Hardball Sights&s=
From Brownells: King's 1911 Fixed Hardball Sights - "Sets are available with .058” (1.47mm) narrow width tenon (N/T), .082” (2.08mm) medium width tenon (M/T) to fit Springfield Armory slides or .125” (3.18mm) wide width tenon (W/T)."
Hope this helps.
usp_fan
Member
Springers do use a medium tenon. In most cases the best course of action is to buy the sight you want in the large tenon and file evenly on each side to get the right size. It's easy and goes pretty quick. As far as staking. If you don't have the tool, there are many substitutes. My favorite is the GI AR barrel tool. If you look at it and a staking tool you should be able to see how to make it work.
AK103K
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Are you replacing it with the standard GI type sight?
If not, do yourself a favor, and have the slide dovetailed. I've never had an original GI staked in front sight come off, but I've had a number of staked on replacements come off. One didnt make it past the first mag fired through the gun after it came back.
If not, do yourself a favor, and have the slide dovetailed. I've never had an original GI staked in front sight come off, but I've had a number of staked on replacements come off. One didnt make it past the first mag fired through the gun after it came back.
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Doogledog
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Thanks everybody.
I started this project a couple of weeks ago and I've already replaced the trigger group the hammer and the grip safety. The sights I want to use are Trijicon. So far I feel like I've done a pretty good job with everything. I live in a fairly rural area and I do not know of any competent gunsmiths here, so I'm learning as I go and would like to do as much of the work as possible myself. Patience is one of my least virtues, unfortunately.
I started this project a couple of weeks ago and I've already replaced the trigger group the hammer and the grip safety. The sights I want to use are Trijicon. So far I feel like I've done a pretty good job with everything. I live in a fairly rural area and I do not know of any competent gunsmiths here, so I'm learning as I go and would like to do as much of the work as possible myself. Patience is one of my least virtues, unfortunately.
highorder
Member
be warned, the Trijicon sights are supposed to be staked on with a dedicated tool, so you dont shatter the H3 vials with all the battering.
If you want Trijicon sights, I would send them my slide.
YMMV
If you want Trijicon sights, I would send them my slide.
YMMV
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Doogledog
Member
Yea, I've already discovered the thing about the tool that's needed. Brownells sells a sight staker and a seperate night sight installation base. I've already ordered them both.
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