Change a HP to adjustable sights?

Gwinnydapooh · November 11, 1999, 10:40 PM

Can anyone tell me what it might set me back to add adjustable sights to a Browning HP or Arcus 94 with fixed ones? I assume there's some machining of the slide required, then the actual installation, then refinishing. I have some knowledge of metalworking from making knives. I guess what I'm asking is what aftermarket sights work well, can I do this myself, if not what kind of expense should I expect?

Oh yeah, and in your opinions--is it worth it? This would be a house gun but also used for fun at the range.

------------------
Don

"Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children"
--Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

Grayfox · November 11, 1999, 11:00 PM

There are several companies that make a replacement adjustable sight that will fit in the HP standard sight cut. Pacmyer, MMC and Meprolight come to mind. The problem is that most of them (I'm not sure about MMC) are large bulky affairs that stick out like a cinder block. For a target pistol this is fine, but I wouldn't want them on a carry gun.

George Stringer · November 12, 1999, 12:22 AM

Don, I would recommend the Millet Custom Combat Low Profile. ($55.00) The slide has to be machined but it's probably the best of the bunch. As Grayfox said, just about everybody and their brother makes a sight for the HP. The MMC's are nice also. George

George Stringer · November 12, 1999, 12:24 AM

Don, the price I put in the prior post was the retail for that sight alone. I would expect you would have to pay $60-$80 for the installation. I think the MMC's will just fit the dovetail and there might be a couple of other "no gunsmithing" types as well. George

swehrman · November 12, 1999, 10:58 PM

I have the MMC rear adjustable sight on my Hi-Power and you definately need to machine the slide in order for it to fit. I sent my slide to MMC and they did the machining for an additional $50 dollars.

-- Scott

Gwinnydapooh · November 12, 1999, 11:19 PM

In the Mec-Gar sight thread in this forum, someone posted a place that sells Mec-Gar adjustables for $35--are these things good enough to justify saving $20, or am I better off spending it? Remember, carry is illegal in my state--this gun will be in a safe or at the range.

------------------
Don

"Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children"
--Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

HS · November 14, 1999, 09:18 AM

Don, with the Mec-Gar you'll be saving more like $70 to $120 depending on what sight & how much milling is required.
The Mec-Gar fits the ORIGINAL dovetail.

------------------
"The Gun from Down Under !"
http://www.para1911fanclub.w3.to/
E-mail [email protected]
Alternate E-mail
[email protected]

Gwinnydapooh · November 14, 1999, 11:23 AM

Thanks, HS and Grayfox, that makes sense. Again, how do you guys know this stuff? Pretty cool.

Can I install a Mec-Gar, MMC or similar sight designed for the original dovetail myself without too much danger of ruining anything? It doesn't look too complicated but nothing does until you're too far into it to stop.

------------------
Don

"Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children"
--Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

swehrman · November 14, 1999, 04:59 PM

You should be able to just tap out the current sight, and then tap in the new one. If you're worried about messing up the finish, take it to a smith. Most I've gone to would do it for $5.00, if that.

-- Scott

STUMPTHINKER · November 17, 1999, 12:58 AM

REMOVE SLIDE FROM FRAME AND REMOVE BBL. WRAP ABOUT SIX LAYERS OF NEWSPAPER OR A PEICE OF LEATHER ONTO SLIDE AND PLACE IN VICE JUST SNUG ENOUGH TO HOLD IT. TOO MUCH PRESSURE MIGHT CAUSE SLIDE WALLS TO BEND. NOW, WITH YOU LOOKING AT IT FROM A REARWARD POSISTON, TAP OUT OLD SIGHT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT USING A FLAT NOSE PUNCH AND SMALL PEEN HAMMER. CLEAN OUT YOUR DOVETAIL CUT AND PLACE A LITTLE OIL ON IT. INSTALL YOUR NEW SIGHT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT , THIS TIME USING A WOODEN DOWL CUT ABOUT 3"LONG INSTEAD OF THE METAL PUNCH SO IT DOES'NT SCAR YOUR FINNISH. AFTER YOU CENTER IT, MAKE YOUR FINAL ADJ"S AT THE RANGE WITH THE AMMO YOUR GOING TO KEEP USING. HOPE THIS HELPS.

November 11, 1999, 10:40 PM	#1
Gwinnydapooh Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 978	Can anyone tell me what it might set me back to add adjustable sights to a Browning HP or Arcus 94 with fixed ones? I assume there's some machining of the slide required, then the actual installation, then refinishing. I have some knowledge of metalworking from making knives. I guess what I'm asking is what aftermarket sights work well, can I do this myself, if not what kind of expense should I expect? Oh yeah, and in your opinions--is it worth it? This would be a house gun but also used for fun at the range. ------------------ Don "Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children" --Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

November 11, 1999, 11:00 PM	#2
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	There are several companies that make a replacement adjustable sight that will fit in the HP standard sight cut. Pacmyer, MMC and Meprolight come to mind. The problem is that most of them (I'm not sure about MMC) are large bulky affairs that stick out like a cinder block. For a target pistol this is fine, but I wouldn't want them on a carry gun.

November 12, 1999, 12:22 AM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Don, I would recommend the Millet Custom Combat Low Profile. ($55.00) The slide has to be machined but it's probably the best of the bunch. As Grayfox said, just about everybody and their brother makes a sight for the HP. The MMC's are nice also. George

November 12, 1999, 12:24 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Don, the price I put in the prior post was the retail for that sight alone. I would expect you would have to pay $60-$80 for the installation. I think the MMC's will just fit the dovetail and there might be a couple of other "no gunsmithing" types as well. George

November 12, 1999, 10:58 PM	#5
swehrman Member Join Date: October 10, 1998 Location: Kalispell, MT. USA Posts: 26	I have the MMC rear adjustable sight on my Hi-Power and you definately need to machine the slide in order for it to fit. I sent my slide to MMC and they did the machining for an additional $50 dollars. -- Scott

November 12, 1999, 11:19 PM	#6
Gwinnydapooh Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 978	In the Mec-Gar sight thread in this forum, someone posted a place that sells Mec-Gar adjustables for $35--are these things good enough to justify saving $20, or am I better off spending it? Remember, carry is illegal in my state--this gun will be in a safe or at the range. ------------------ Don "Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children" --Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

November 14, 1999, 09:18 AM	#7
HS Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: Brisbane.....Australia Posts: 1,258	Don, with the Mec-Gar you'll be saving more like $70 to $120 depending on what sight & how much milling is required. The Mec-Gar fits the ORIGINAL dovetail. ------------------ "The Gun from Down Under !" http://www.para1911fanclub.w3.to/ E-mail [email protected] Alternate E-mail [email protected]

November 14, 1999, 11:23 AM	#8
Gwinnydapooh Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 978	Thanks, HS and Grayfox, that makes sense. Again, how do you guys know this stuff? Pretty cool. Can I install a Mec-Gar, MMC or similar sight designed for the original dovetail myself without too much danger of ruining anything? It doesn't look too complicated but nothing does until you're too far into it to stop. ------------------ Don "Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children" --Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron

November 14, 1999, 04:59 PM	#9
swehrman Member Join Date: October 10, 1998 Location: Kalispell, MT. USA Posts: 26	You should be able to just tap out the current sight, and then tap in the new one. If you're worried about messing up the finish, take it to a smith. Most I've gone to would do it for $5.00, if that. -- Scott

November 17, 1999, 12:58 AM	#10
STUMPTHINKER Junior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: HUTSONVILLE ILLINOIS USA Posts: 10	REMOVE SLIDE FROM FRAME AND REMOVE BBL. WRAP ABOUT SIX LAYERS OF NEWSPAPER OR A PEICE OF LEATHER ONTO SLIDE AND PLACE IN VICE JUST SNUG ENOUGH TO HOLD IT. TOO MUCH PRESSURE MIGHT CAUSE SLIDE WALLS TO BEND. NOW, WITH YOU LOOKING AT IT FROM A REARWARD POSISTON, TAP OUT OLD SIGHT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT USING A FLAT NOSE PUNCH AND SMALL PEEN HAMMER. CLEAN OUT YOUR DOVETAIL CUT AND PLACE A LITTLE OIL ON IT. INSTALL YOUR NEW SIGHT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT , THIS TIME USING A WOODEN DOWL CUT ABOUT 3"LONG INSTEAD OF THE METAL PUNCH SO IT DOES'NT SCAR YOUR FINNISH. AFTER YOU CENTER IT, MAKE YOUR FINAL ADJ"S AT THE RANGE WITH THE AMMO YOUR GOING TO KEEP USING. HOPE THIS HELPS.