1911 Front Sight roll pin

Koda94 · August 26, 2020, 12:33 AM

Original Springfield Loaded factory front sight roll pin drilled crooked... because of this I cant install the new front sight I want.

Whats the best solution?

I also need a new roll pin, can anyone tell me what size it is?

Scorch · August 26, 2020, 12:58 AM

You don't need a roll pin to hold a front sight in place. Just buy a front sight with the proper dovetail and fit it tightly. The roll pin is a fix for sloppy tolerances and sloppy mass production. Several gunmakers do this: front sight is loose in the dovetail, so put a roll pin in to hold it in place.

About as good as the manufacturers who LocTite their sights in place. Have you ever tried to adjust handgun sights that are LocTited in place?

Koda94 · August 26, 2020, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorch

You don't need a roll pin to hold a front sight in place. Just buy a front sight with the proper dovetail and fit it tightly. The roll pin is a fix for sloppy tolerances and sloppy mass production. Several gunmakers do this: front sight is loose in the dovetail, so put a roll pin in to hold it in place.

About as good as the manufacturers who LocTite their sights in place. Have you ever tried to adjust handgun sights that are LocTited in place?

If I have to I will take it to a smith but I'm hoping to avoid handfitting. I'm comfortable inserting roll pins.

dahermit · August 26, 2020, 09:00 AM

You may want to try here: https://www.harborfreight.com/120-pi...ugg_q=roll+pin

**Aguila Blanca** · August 26, 2020, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koda94

Original Springfield Loaded factory front sight roll pin drilled crooked... because of this I cant install the new front sight I want.

Whats the best solution?

Weld up the original hole using TIG welds from the top and the underside. Re-mill the upper and lower surfaces, then drill a new hole that's straight.

ocharry · August 26, 2020, 10:52 AM

think i would call Springfield and see what they say,,,,they just might want it back to fit a new slide ,,,worth a call,,,,if they do want it back,,,you could have some other stuff done on their shipping dime,,,maybe pin the ejector,,,some are glued in,,,maybe a trigger job,,,who knows they may even put the sight you want on for free

my .02

ocharry

Clemson · August 26, 2020, 01:17 PM

Size is 1/16. You may have to shorten whatever you come up with to fit. As long as the sight is centered in the dovetail, the cockeyed hole is not going to hurt anything.

dahermit · August 26, 2020, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

Weld up the original hole using TIG welds from the top and the underside. Re-mill the upper and lower surfaces, then drill a new hole that's straight.

Welding would most certainly require a re-blue job. Does he really want to go that route when they may be cheaper alternatives (like ignore/leave the hole alone, locktite the new sight into posistion).

**Unclenick** · August 26, 2020, 06:59 PM

I'm out of date. None of my Springfields have roll pins. Just the funny halfway between square post hole.

Koda94 · August 27, 2020, 12:20 AM

Stainless slide so no need to worry about rebluing. Any new sight is going to have the hole drilled perpendicular so it will never line up with the slanted hole in the frame and thus will never be secure unless I order an oversized sight that requires hand fitting. All I wanted was a night sight up front.

A quick rant is its really frustrating how such a simple task as drilling a straight hole is screwed up on a gun that costs almost a grand to buy is inexcusable, and this isnt the first expensive 1911 Ive had basic manufacturing defects on. What is it about 1911s they need to charge so much when machining technology is at its finest since the guns invention over 100yrs ago?

I should probably call Springfield to give them a chance to rectify this first, I dred the idea of fitting a new slide (Ive actually gone thru that warranty repair with another 1911 and it didnt end well...) or sending the gun in via mail over a simple sight replacement. Theres just no way to properly fix this privately thru a local smith that wont cost me way more than the trouble of some new sights. I think weld the hole and redrill is the only option and thats not gonna be cheap.

**44 AMP** · August 27, 2020, 01:28 AM

I'm even more out of date, my Government Model has the front sight staked, just like the GI 1911A1s.

No dovetail

No pin

No need...

Scorch · August 29, 2020, 07:25 PM

I already told you, get the proper size sight and fit it tight. No need for the roll pin. Buy a Trijicon or Novak or Ameriglo and put it in tight. Springfield and Ed Brown and Kimber make their front sights undersized so they can pin them.

August 26, 2020, 12:58 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	You don't need a roll pin to hold a front sight in place. Just buy a front sight with the proper dovetail and fit it tightly. The roll pin is a fix for sloppy tolerances and sloppy mass production. Several gunmakers do this: front sight is loose in the dovetail, so put a roll pin in to hold it in place. About as good as the manufacturers who LocTite their sights in place. Have you ever tried to adjust handgun sights that are LocTited in place? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 26, 2020, 10:52 AM	#6
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 687	think i would call Springfield and see what they say,,,,they just might want it back to fit a new slide ,,,worth a call,,,,if they do want it back,,,you could have some other stuff done on their shipping dime,,,maybe pin the ejector,,,some are glued in,,,maybe a trigger job,,,who knows they may even put the sight you want on for free my .02 ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

August 26, 2020, 01:17 PM	#7
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Size is 1/16. You may have to shorten whatever you come up with to fit. As long as the sight is centered in the dovetail, the cockeyed hole is not going to hurt anything. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

August 26, 2020, 06:59 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I'm out of date. None of my Springfields have roll pins. Just the funny halfway between square post hole. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 27, 2020, 12:20 AM	#10
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,295	Stainless slide so no need to worry about rebluing. Any new sight is going to have the hole drilled perpendicular so it will never line up with the slanted hole in the frame and thus will never be secure unless I order an oversized sight that requires hand fitting. All I wanted was a night sight up front. A quick rant is its really frustrating how such a simple task as drilling a straight hole is screwed up on a gun that costs almost a grand to buy is inexcusable, and this isnt the first expensive 1911 Ive had basic manufacturing defects on. What is it about 1911s they need to charge so much when machining technology is at its finest since the guns invention over 100yrs ago? I should probably call Springfield to give them a chance to rectify this first, I dred the idea of fitting a new slide (Ive actually gone thru that warranty repair with another 1911 and it didnt end well...) or sending the gun in via mail over a simple sight replacement. Theres just no way to properly fix this privately thru a local smith that wont cost me way more than the trouble of some new sights. I think weld the hole and redrill is the only option and thats not gonna be cheap. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

August 26, 2020, 09:00 AM	#4
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	You may want to try here: https://www.harborfreight.com/120-pi...ugg_q=roll+pin

August 27, 2020, 01:28 AM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	I'm even more out of date, my Government Model has the front sight staked, just like the GI 1911A1s. No dovetail No pin No need... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 29, 2020, 07:25 PM	#12
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I already told you, get the proper size sight and fit it tight. No need for the roll pin. Buy a Trijicon or Novak or Ameriglo and put it in tight. Springfield and Ed Brown and Kimber make their front sights undersized so they can pin them. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services