Front sight dovetail cants left... Any easy fix?

[ChrisATX]

See pics. Results in groups several inches right at 100 yards. Obviously I can use the windage on the ladder to compensate, but I'd prefer to have the front post dead center.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/12605755825_9cdefb14ca_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/12605752375_22cff1ebcd_c.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/12606205274_8e6498eb1f_c.jpg

[dave]

I can not see the cant, must be very slight. Can sight be tapped over in dovetail enough? Or tap blade to right? Or just buy a new sight?

[chuckindenver]

id bet the barrel is over indexed...

[ChrisATX]

I'll take a look at the witness marks when I get home today.

[Kurt]

Chris, are you talking about the front sight stud slightly twisted to the right in the base? Ie, the left rear overhanging, the right front flush?

Kurt

[ChrisATX]

Chris, are you talking about the front sight stud slightly twisted to the right in the base? Ie, the left rear overhanging, the right front flush?

Kurt

Exactly.

[Kurt]

I'd try replacing the sight stud first and hopefully that's the problem. I would suspect the hole in the stud or sleeve is off just a hair and this can be checked by removing the screw an seeing if the stud lines up without it.

Kurt

[ChrisATX]

I'd try replacing the sight stud first and hopefully that's the problem. I would suspect the hole in the stud or sleeve is off just a hair and this can be checked by removing the screw an seeing if the stud lines up without it.

Kurt

Thanks, Kurt. Any good videos or guides for changing the sight stud? It seems straightforward to back the screw out, but I've worked on pistols long enough to know that seeming straightforward can mean dangerous.

Also, looking carefully now, the blade is bent in the same direction as the cant. It screams that someone banged it on something.

[bombdog]

i've got the oposite problem. my garand is under indexed, canted to the right and shoots left.
i think your sight post looks slightly bent as well though.
i need to have alice's barrel reindexed. Guess i need to accuire a barrel and reciever wrench.
bombdog, out!!!!!!!!

[Weasel]

Looks like someone has been banging on the front left side of the sight base. Also looks like the sleeve might not be original to the BBL or has been removed at some time and replaced.

[Kurt]

Chris, Pretty simple, remove the screw and tap out left to right. I use a 1/4" wood dowel. I did have one similar to yours that was twisted about the same. I took it out, put it in vice with steel washers on both sides to protect it and clamped it. I then did the same thing with a vice grips and steel washers and twisted the stud. I put it back on and it was fine. I the hole in mine was ok as it lined up and didn't recant it. It certainly can't hurt to try that.

Kurt

[PeteDavis]

Check the indexing. In extreme cases the extractor won't even close. A front sight at less than 12 o' clock would be a sign. It is doubtful the barrel splines are off. The Greeks did a lot of gunsmithing, mis-indexed barrels, short chambers, etc. It's pretty easy to shim an over indexed barrel with a fine brass shim but takes the vise and wrenches to do it.