Front sight came out...what now?

[Big_Red]

The front sight in my main shooter (3.5.inch 1911) came loose last weekend. I tried to tighten in by applying some medium strength thread locker but that did not work as the sight came loose again today. So now I bought a high strength tread locker hoping that this will make the difference.

What is the best way of applying the thread locker. Should I remove the sight completely, clean the area, apply some thread locker and let it dry for a bit before pushing the sight back in? Or is removing the sight not advised because it may not align correctly on the way back in?

What are your thoughts?

 

[mac1911]

loctite hardens by lack of O2, I believe. how about some expoxy?

 

[icyclefar]

Are we talking about a "drift in" only front sight, or do you have a set screw in addition to lock it in place?

 

[Big_Red]

loctite hardens by lack of O2, I believe. how about some expoxy?

I don't want to apply anything that will cause the sight to become permanently attached to the gun in case I wanted to change it at some point in the future.

 

[Big_Red]

Are we talking about a "drift in" only front sight, or do you have a set screw in addition to lock it in place?

Drift-in only.

 

[icyclefar]

If it were mine, I would try to "warp" the base portion that drifts into the dove tail groove so that when you drift it back in it provides some tension in the fit. If that doe not work, just buy a new front sight.

 

[LoginName]

Other than purchasing a new sight...

take a drift punch and hammer and peen the dovetail portion of the sight (the idea is to displace/move some of the metal), then carefully file the sight a little at a time until it's a snug fit.

 

[M1911]

Take it to a gunsmith.

 

[Gammon]

Turn the sight upside down and place it in a vise so that the base is supported. Then take a punch and disrupt or gouge the base of the sight. This will provide an interference fit in the dovetail. Clean the sight base and dovetail and then apply Loctite primer to both surfaces. Install the front sight and then apply green "wicking" Loctite to the dovetail. The Loctite will penetrate the joint and provide a bond strong enough to hold the sight in place. Removal will require heating with a torch, but is fairly easy to accomplish.

 

[Big_Red]

If it were mine, I would try to "warp" the base portion that drifts into the dove tail groove so that when you drift it back in it provides some tension in the fit. If that doe not work, just buy a new front sight.

Other than purchasing a new sight...

take a drift punch and hammer and peen the dovetail portion of the sight (the idea is to displace/move some of the metal), then carefully file the sight a little at a time until it's a snug fit.

Turn the sight upside down and place it in a vise so that the base is supported. Then take a punch and disrupt or gouge the base of the sight. This will provide an interference fit in the dovetail. Clean the sight base and dovetail and then apply Loctite primer to both surfaces. Install the front sight and then apply green "wicking" Loctite to the dovetail. The Loctite will penetrate the joint and provide a bond strong enough to hold the sight in place. Removal will require heating with a torch, but is fairly easy to accomplish.

I see a common theme of disrupting the base of the sight. That sounds good. I also like the idea of using red and green Loctite. This may just do the trick. Thanks guys.

Take it to a gunsmith.

I really don't want to do that.

 

[M1911]

I really don't want to do that.

Why? Slides and sights are expensive. Gunsmiths do this all the time. David Santurri, Michael LaRocca and Greg Derr could do this in their sleep. The wouldn't charge you much and it would be done right the first time.

 

[gerrycaruso]

Back in the dim and distant past, when I was an Armorer,the US military still used the 1911 .45 as their service pistol. The front sight was staked in place through the slide. If this is the case with yours,you'll need a staking tool to re-install your front sight. It's probably available for short money from Brownells and it's an easy job.If you don't want to do it yourself, then do as others have said and bring it to a gunsmith.

 

[vellnueve]

I second M1911. It'll take them about 5 minutes to do it.

 

[JimB]

new sight

this happened to my sig 226, i tried everything, and Jim at 4 seasons

tried a quick fix (he said a new sight was the best thing)

thats what fixed it.

JimB

 

[Big_Red]

I think I fixed it. I removed the sight and cleaned it along with the dovetail. I then applied a good amount of Permatex Red threadlocker and followed that with some Permatex Green threadlocker. Took the gun to the range today and after 60+ rounds the sight had not moved. I think I am good to go.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Gammon]

I think I fixed it. I removed the sight and cleaned it along with the dovetail. I then applied a good amount of Permatex Red threadlocker and followed that with some Permatex Green threadlocker. Took the gun to the range today and after 60+ rounds the sight had not moved. I think I am good to go.

Thanks everyone!

I have never heard of mixing different types of Loctite. Please keep us posted as to the effectiveness of this repair.