traditions kentucky sight installation

[monty98]

Hello all, this is my first post and want to say thanks for the forum. I have a question about he traditions kentucky pistol i am building. I have test fitted everything but the sights. i have tried to fit them, but the sights seem to be larger than the slots in the barrel. I do have them positioned in the right direction. I would like to know if there are any tricks of the trade before i force them in place. Also looking for the right way to replace a barrel on a 1858 brass army from pietta.
Thanks Monty

[Rifleman1776]

Last first. Replacing the barrel is probably not worth the effort. What is wrong with current barrel?
Installing sights in a dovetail slot can be time consuming but not difficult. Take a small triangle file and grind off the teeth on one side. Make that side smooth. It is your 'safe' side. Using the safe side down file the undercut until the sight slides into place. A little overhang is not fatal. If you don't like, just grind until it is smaller than the top flat. When the sight is in place use a punch to gently peen one of the overcuts down onto the sight so it won't get knocked out of place. You might want to save this step until you have sighted in the gun. Enjoy.

[monty98]

I will work on the file trick nice idea. The barrel was split on one side. I have already got the new barrel from dixie. I believe it split due to not having the ball compacted all the way down. I had 25gr fffg pyrodex and a .451 ball when it happened. Any criticism is welcome as i am fairly new to the bp seen.
Thanks Monty