Changing Sights on BHP Mk II

Tom68 · November 20, 2017, 07:38 PM

I have a surplus Mk II that is a real sow's ear and I want to upgrade the sights (the rear sight literally looks as if it were used as a hammer at some point).

The rear sight appears to have been dovetailed into the slide, although it's difficult to tell if it can be pushed out successfully. The dovetail doesn't appear to be damaged though. The front sight appears to be machined as part of the slide; the top of the slide was machined away leaving only the Mk II rib and front sight? it sure doesn't appear to be staked in--no indications from inside the slide.

presuming I can get the rear sight removed successfully, and cut a new dovetail to accept an aftermarket sight... what implications do I have regarding the front sight? right now, the pistol shoots very near POA, but if I replaced only the rear sight, I would stand a very good chance of not properly aligning with the front sight and messing up a relatively good thing.

I am not a gunsmith, I'm just looking for suggestions for how to address getting this work done. I suppose one COA would be to machine away the front sight and cut a dovetail for a new blade? one more thing, I intend to do this as part of a refinishing job--nothing fancy, just a matte black to replace the Hershey's bar finish of which about 70% remains. thoughts?

Old Stony · November 21, 2017, 03:57 AM

Removing the rear sight should not be a big problem, and the dovetail should not present a problem for you to install a new sight. There are lots of options as far as rear sights, and if you decide to have a dovetail cut for the front, there will be a lot of options there too. If you go to the website for Dawson's Precision sights, you can see some of the options they offer. If your front sight is serviceable, you can have Dawson's provide you with a rear sight in the same height as your current rear and you're in business.

Tom68 · November 23, 2017, 10:23 AM

I really would prefer a set, which means an exact match or removing the front altogether. The latter seems like it would be pretty labor intensive.... And expensive, no?

T. O'Heir · November 23, 2017, 02:12 PM

Assorted smithies(Cylinder and Slide, Freedom Gunworks Inc., et al) have been doing it for eons. Requires a dovetail cut for the front.
Freedom Gunworks wants $30 to cut the dovetail plus the cost of the sight. So it's not as horribly expensive as you'd think.

November 20, 2017, 07:38 PM	#1
Tom68 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 349	Changing Sights on BHP Mk II I have a surplus Mk II that is a real sow's ear and I want to upgrade the sights (the rear sight literally looks as if it were used as a hammer at some point). The rear sight appears to have been dovetailed into the slide, although it's difficult to tell if it can be pushed out successfully. The dovetail doesn't appear to be damaged though. The front sight appears to be machined as part of the slide; the top of the slide was machined away leaving only the Mk II rib and front sight? it sure doesn't appear to be staked in--no indications from inside the slide. presuming I can get the rear sight removed successfully, and cut a new dovetail to accept an aftermarket sight... what implications do I have regarding the front sight? right now, the pistol shoots very near POA, but if I replaced only the rear sight, I would stand a very good chance of not properly aligning with the front sight and messing up a relatively good thing. I am not a gunsmith, I'm just looking for suggestions for how to address getting this work done. I suppose one COA would be to machine away the front sight and cut a dovetail for a new blade? one more thing, I intend to do this as part of a refinishing job--nothing fancy, just a matte black to replace the Hershey's bar finish of which about 70% remains. thoughts?

November 23, 2017, 02:12 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Assorted smithies(Cylinder and Slide, Freedom Gunworks Inc., et al) have been doing it for eons. Requires a dovetail cut for the front. Freedom Gunworks wants $30 to cut the dovetail plus the cost of the sight. So it's not as horribly expensive as you'd think. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 21, 2017, 03:57 AM	#2
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Removing the rear sight should not be a big problem, and the dovetail should not present a problem for you to install a new sight. There are lots of options as far as rear sights, and if you decide to have a dovetail cut for the front, there will be a lot of options there too. If you go to the website for Dawson's Precision sights, you can see some of the options they offer. If your front sight is serviceable, you can have Dawson's provide you with a rear sight in the same height as your current rear and you're in business.

November 23, 2017, 10:23 AM	#3
Tom68 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 349	I really would prefer a set, which means an exact match or removing the front altogether. The latter seems like it would be pretty labor intensive.... And expensive, no?