Broke off front site

[rcm]

Shooting last night at the range, emptied a mag and went for an tactical re-load brought my weapon back up and realized my front site was missing.

I am assuming that I had broken it during holstering at some point and it finally went during our excersize.

Can I fix this myself with a new site or should I head for a smith? They were 32 year old MMC sites btw. I did not see them on thier website but, did ask about the possibilies of finding a similar site.

Opinions.

I do have a great book at home about stripping and rebuiding the Colt 1911 which should be helpful.

Thanks.

[auto45]

I've done 3-4 sights so it's not hard. ;)

On the other hand, it's not for the "faint of heart" if you have a prestine gun.

Because, the short version, you fit the sight tenon to the slide, secure the slide in a vise, put the staking tool in, which you have to buy, and pound the tool with a hammer which crushes the tenon fairly flat. Then the dremel to smooth out the tenon in the slide. Securing the slide properly and keeping the front sight even and supported while you pound is very important. I use loc-tite also. So, if you not careful, you could scratch the slide, hit it with a hammer or "buzz it" with a dremel. Again, it's not hard, but I wouldn't bother if you are only doing one.

A gunsmith would charge around $30 I believe. Probably around $60 for a dovetail sight.

[ADP3]

Since your sights are a replacement set already, check out a Novak's Dovetail set up. You only need to send in the slide and his turn around is FAST. My last slide was only out of my hands 75 hours.
Best Regards,
ADP3

[John]

I didn't know that MMC was in the business for so long!! I thought they came out after Novak's and I am sure Novak is not in the business for 30 years. Am I wrong?

[dakota1911]

I have an MMC site from the 70's. It is an ajustible rear unit made for the (then) standard front sight on a Gov or Commander.

[John]

Can someone post a picture of these sights? The only MMC sight I know is the adjustable, Novak-look-alike that they have.

[rcm]

I spoke to the folks at MMC and they actually have the site in stock. They are going to replace it for $25.00.

John, at this point I only have the rear site for you to see...still interested in a picture?

[John]

I guess that is the most interesting, yes please if you can post a picture, I'll appreciate it.

[wgppp]

I shot the front sight off my Commander, had a new one put on (by a gunsmith with LocTite) and shot it off with the second magazine. On the other hand, my CCO with a dovetailed front sight has had no problem. I'm going to have some custom work done to that Commander and it will include a dovetailed front sight.

[John]

A dovetailed sight is more secure and easier if you need to change it later on. But I had stake-on sights on my Colt for years and they never fly away. Maybe the fact that my gunsmith silver-solders them in place has something to do with this. Loctite alone is not going to work, if the stake on job is not done properly.

[flyhalf]

What's a "staked" sight? One that can't be moved (adjusted)? I have a 91A1 S80, is that a staked sight?

[John]

It's a sight which is staked on the slide. The sight has a tenon at its bottom, which goes through the slide and then the tenon is smashed to create a small, flat surface, which is supposed to keep the sight on the slide. Your pistol most probably has such a front sight.

[Herb Clark]

When installing sights, I use "sleeve" locite on the dovetails, which is green and thinner than the blue or red which is used for threads.

[John]

That's what happens when you have ... too many options! I guess it's time for me to drive to the other end of the city and find that Loctite importer, the cost of gas will be more than the product, but I can't be without the proper Loctite for each job, can I? Now Herb, what's the product number please?

[Herb Clark]

John El: "640 Sleeve Retainer". Found, in the states, normally at chain auto parts stores.