Can you tighten dovetail sights without re-installing them?

C0untZer0 · July 4, 2011, 12:41 PM

I have Dawson rear sights and they wiggle about ⅛" The movement just started today.

Is there a way I can lock them down / stop the movement without taking them out & reinstalling them?

Rifleman1776 · July 4, 2011, 01:18 PM

Just tap down the thin edges of the metal on the barrel with any kind of steel instrument. Should take about five seconds.

C0untZer0 · July 4, 2011, 01:32 PM

I should have said - these are Dawson rear sights on a Glock 34.

drail · July 4, 2011, 01:44 PM

You will want to remove the sights to tighten the dovetail. Anything you try to do while the slot is filled is not going to help. One easy way is to take a sharp center punch and kick up a burr (or two) in the bottom of the slot and then reinstall. Alternatively you can drill and tap a hole in the sight and install a set screw if there's room on the sight base.

chack · July 4, 2011, 02:09 PM

you can tighten the rear sight by staking it in place with a center punch impact at the edge. It is not as cosmetically pleasant, but it works and is easy to do at the range after adjusting the sight exactly where you want it.

oneoldsap · July 4, 2011, 04:34 PM

drail is doing it the proper way . Don't put visible marks on a gun , when you domt have too !

July 4, 2011, 12:41 PM	#1
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	Can you tighten dovetail sights without re-installing them? I have Dawson rear sights and they wiggle about ⅛" The movement just started today. Is there a way I can lock them down / stop the movement without taking them out & reinstalling them?

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July 4, 2011, 01:18 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Just tap down the thin edges of the metal on the barrel with any kind of steel instrument. Should take about five seconds.

July 4, 2011, 01:32 PM	#3
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	I should have said - these are Dawson rear sights on a Glock 34.

July 4, 2011, 01:44 PM	#4
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	You will want to remove the sights to tighten the dovetail. Anything you try to do while the slot is filled is not going to help. One easy way is to take a sharp center punch and kick up a burr (or two) in the bottom of the slot and then reinstall. Alternatively you can drill and tap a hole in the sight and install a set screw if there's room on the sight base.

July 4, 2011, 02:09 PM	#5
chack Junior member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Location: dixie Posts: 477	you can tighten the rear sight by staking it in place with a center punch impact at the edge. It is not as cosmetically pleasant, but it works and is easy to do at the range after adjusting the sight exactly where you want it.

July 4, 2011, 04:34 PM	#6
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	drail is doing it the proper way . Don't put visible marks on a gun , when you domt have too !