Pinned front sight replacment

USMC1911 · Sep 9, 2009

How hard is it to replace a steaked front sight? Its a lightweight officer series 80. Do I have to dove tail it or can it be redone? Any advice would be great!

Oohrah · Sep 22, 2009

Many years back I bought a 1911A1 that was total toast. The sights were replaced by an old armorer who resides in that great range in the sky. One of the first tasks was the replacement of sights to adjustable. It required a replacement of a higher front sight. The original was peaned in, and I was told that they on occasion would pop off. The replacement sight was both silver sodered and peaned. This was over 40 years ago, and it remains the same even after a few years of a carry while serving as a LEO. Either way will work, but there is no front sight adjustment for this method, but most likely it wouldn't be needed.

gunjunky · Sep 23, 2009

If you get this tool you can do it, or you can drive to Washington and I will do it for you. I guess you could mail it

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=916/Product/1911_AUTO_FRONT_SIGHT_STAKER

Also, I usually use a bit of JB weld or red lok-tite, a little goes a longgg way.

Southridge · Sep 23, 2009

Also when you replace one remove a little material were you are staking to give the sight post a place to hang on.
I use a small ball stone, and also I use locTite Black.

Oohrah · Sep 23, 2009

That was the tool used. Don't know where I came up with terminolgy "Peaning" but I guess it is sort of. Didn't have the Metal Weld then, but Loc Tite was available. Guess it just wasn't thought of!. What ever works I guess. My front sight replacement remains unmoveable. I did have a friend and neighbor who lost a front sight a few months back on a GI 1911A1. So perhaps, this may be a little more common then I thought! Not sure what was done, but it was replaced by a local Smith. I have not seen it, so there is no comment on how it turned out