Real Sight Problems

[Coop Trawlaine]

Hi again Pards,

Seems that I just can't make it through a week without a question...LOL

I bought a used Marlin 1894  .357/38  and the first time I used it at a match, (bought it same day and did not have a chance to sight in), I found that I was missing the targets (Big Targets) way left.   During the match I ended up sighting in on the upper right hand corner to make a hit.   I tapped the rear sight back to center with a piece of hardwood and the next two matches fired dead on.

Now, I keep my guns in a guncase with waffle foam padding and they do not move around but I found that at the third match I was getting more misses than hits and again the sights had drifted off and I was missing to the left of the target.

How will I make the adjustment in the rear sights so that they remain on center?   Will a drop of locktite (blue) work or am I taking a chance on doing that?

[Arcey]

One of the problems with buying a used rifle.  You never know how it was treated before you found it or what kind of hack worked on it.  If you don't know what to look for, you can have problems.

One of mine was barely used and I knew the original owner.  I was there when he bought it.  The other was brand new.  Both have had the rear sights replaced.  Did the change out myself.  Both have had thousands of rounds thru them since they were resighted.  They hit what I aim them at.  Misses are my fault.

If you're sure it isn't just you missing the targets and equally at a loss as to what to do to correct the problem, save yourself some grief.  Take it to someone who knows what they're doing and pay for the skills they have that you don't.

If a rear sight is sloppy enough in the dovetail to get easily knocked out of line the slot needs to be tightened.  That is easily done with a center punch and a hammer.  Again, if you lack the confidence or skills to do it yourself, take it to someone who knows what they're doing.

[Whiskey Hayes]

Howdy Coop

I have corrected the problem you are describing by using the penetrating loktite, it is the green.  The sight can be removed at a later date without heating but will require some sharp taps of a hammer with a brass punch.

Whiskey Hayes

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[Coop Trawlaine]

Hey Fellas,

Thanks a bunch for the help.  Yeah that is what the problem is," a loose dovetail"  because when I just tap it lightly with a hardwood dowel I can see it move big time.  For now I am going to try the locktite route and then if it continues to drift, going for new rear sights done by gunsmith.   Being retired I pinch the pennies tighter than a bull arse in fly season....

[Doc Shapiro]

You could also peen down the edges of the dovetail when the sight is in place, or even put a shim under it and reinstall the sight.  Either works well.

Doc

[Hemlock Mike]

Some replacement rear sights have pressed or folded metal for the dovetail.  If you can move the rear sight back and forth with finger pressure, maybe a little locktite will help or some mechanical persuasion on the sight dovetail will help.  I've had sights like this.

Mike

[The Arapaho Kid]

You might try cutting up a Coke can and cutting a little shim out of that.  I had a front sight problem like that on my Colt Lightning.  That's what I did.  A little shim under the sight, slide/tap it into place with a brass hammer, or brass punch.  Make sure you cut your shim just a little smaller than your base plate on the sight so it doesn't show.

[Coop Trawlaine]

Thanks Kid,

That gives me another avenue to try.....sounds easier, too.

[Coop Trawlaine]

Mike,

Thanks for your input as well, I wasn't ignoring you........ Just getting caught up,,,,been doing a lot of writing and editing the past few days and missed a couple of the posts but read them now.   Thanks again to all you pards for chiming in.

[Ozarks Ranger]

Doc's right set your site where ya want it and use a brass hammer or punch an give the dovetail a rap or if your sure thats where ya want it center punch the dovetail and site at the same time . A light tap will dimple the edge and if ya ever change the siight again the dimple wii let yo do this with a drift punch,  and will hold during normal shooting
Snake Eyes

[Hemlock Mike]

A little addition to what A.Kid said about the coke can.  Sometimes a single piece of PAPER
works really good.

Mike