tight 1911 rear sight

[STxRynn]

Bought a nice 1991 Compact, but the rear sight is too far to the left. I tried moving it, took it back to the gun shop, and they pounded on it. Sounded like they were using a sledge and a piece of railroad iron. Made me wince every time I heard it. No movement at all. Then said it'd be 8 weeks before they could do what was needed.

I've tried warming the slide, and putting the rear sight on ice, then working on it. Took it loose and soaked it in some "Fabulous BLASTER, PB penetrating catalyst (as seen on TV) for a month. I now have a nice MGW sight pusher, but the rear sight is STILL stuck in the left side of the dovetail.

Any way short of a Bridgeport to get this moved over to center it up? New ideas are welcome (that don't involve AP ammo and a 30.06).

Thanks in advance....de....Rynn

 

[yomama]

Tried freezing it???? Helped me once. That's the only advice I can give.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, I have never used a milling machine, but I understand it has been done. It does work.

Jim

 

[Dick1911]

How did you try warming it? Carefull use of a propane torch on the slide under the sight may work. Many times when you apply heat it won't always break free until it cools.

For penetrating oil, Kroil, http://www.kanolabs.com/, is the best I've ever seen. I've had it loosen things that I thought only a grinder would take care of.

Good Luck!

 

[STxRynn]

1911 sight

I warmed it in the oven. Not too hot, set it on 150, pretty warm to the touch. Thought about using dry ice to shrink the sight down. only had regular ice.

I'll look for some kroil, but the PB stuff is really amazing. Got a free can, so why not try? poured it on while it was warm, and still no movement. I'll try cooling the whole slide this weekend, but man, this is almost comical.

do they press these things in with hydraulics or what?

I have an old sight I was thinking of using as a swage, but no good way to grip it whilst motivating it.

Thanks for the input guys...de....Rynn

 

[RogersPrecision]

I have only had one that would not budge.
I needed to use the Bridgeport Persuader on it!

 

[rcmodel]

I'd guess it is either galled in place from a too tight fit to begin with, or glued in with Lock-Tight.

(If it happens to be an adjustable sight, or even some non-adjustable ones, it may have an Allen lock-screw under the elevation movable part. Find it & loosen it.)

Galled = Try supporting the slide in a heavy bench vise with smooth-face jaw protectors. Apply penetrating oil liberally, and tap the sight lightly several times to get oil worked down into the dove-tail.
Then use a heavy brass punch and hammer to whack it over.
It will move!

Lock-Tight = Heat the slide & sight base up with a Propane Torch quickly until the Lock-Tight smokes.
Then use the brass punch & hammer to whack it over.
It will move!


rcmodel

 

[willp58]

I've run into this numerous times. I put the frame in a padded vise and with Optivisors, I saw the rear sight in two...being very careful to run the blade horizontally so as not to cut the frame.

Try the heat but I dont' like heat on a frame.

 

[STxRynn]

sight sawing

Okay, that sounds promising. I have held back heating it up. I don't like spot heating with a torch. I'll give the saw a chance.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Jim Watson]

My FLG had to mill one out of a Communist Chinese copy as Chuck Rogers shows. It was not a job for the faint of heart, and would be a very ticklish operation with a hand held saw or grinder.

 

[rcmodel]

We are not talking about red hot, or even close to hot enough to have any effect on the steel temper or bluing.

LocTite will release at about 200 degrees and smoke completely out at under 300. (They do make a high-heat grade LocTite for automotive use, but nobody uses it on guns.)

I suggested a propane torch in an earlier post, because that is easy to apply to just the sight area of the slide.
But you could just as well use an electric heat gun, or your wifes hair dryer!

It won't hurt a thing.


rcmodel

 

[Spartacus451]

RogersPrecision, I like the profile on that rear sight. Who makes it?

 

[Whirlwind06]

I would cut it off. Both my RIA's rear sights where impossible to remove. I just cut them off. I was replacing them anyways with Kings sights.

 

[Walkalong]

I like the profile on that rear sight. Who makes it?

Looks like a Kimber. Maybe Rogers Precision will tell us.

 

[olyeller]

seriously,? Ill be suprised if its not one of his own designs.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree with Walkalong, looks like a Kimber.
Why would he make his own sight so tight as to have to be cut off?