HELP PLEASE! front sight ding repair

copter_dad · April 10, 2009, 05:55 PM

I recently received a Colt Detective Special through the USPS. The front sight suffered a nice ding while in transit. The rest of the gun is in excellent shape. How do I proceed with repair? I am wondering if the sharp edge can be rolled back into position with some careful peening, then some file work and re-coloring. The impact created a nice flat surface and rolled the sharp edge over. The damage is far enough forward that it is not in the sight picture, with the exception of the rolled edge.95% of the damage is on the matte finish part of the sight, not the high luster blue of the muzzle end. I know I can't make it disappear, I just want to make it less noticeable and clear up the sight picture.

haiyter · April 10, 2009, 06:04 PM

looked like post office banged it on something. Did you buy it New ? otherwise, return it and say its defective

hunter11 · April 10, 2009, 06:21 PM

Unless you are a highly skilled tool maker I would recommend looking for a good !!!! Gunsmith. Otherwise it is going to show. Dan

Scorch · April 10, 2009, 06:47 PM

Yes, it can be peened back into place, but may show a bit.

publius · April 10, 2009, 06:53 PM

you aren't going to get it where it isn't noticeable and may make it a little worse. It doesn't look like there is any blueing damage but to fix it will result in marring of the blueing. If it were me I would consider 2 ways, 1st would be to take a very small file and just file the side sticking out flush. Second way would be to find a good buddy to hold the pistol with the good side of the front sight on a flat anvil (he is going to have to hold it perfectly flat and firm). You take a small hammer and punch and tap the bad side back flush. you will likely have to clean this up with a file too but should result in less loss of steel.

copter_dad · April 10, 2009, 07:08 PM

Publius, that is exactly what I was considering. I didn't know if it was plausible. Have you tried it?

copter_dad · April 10, 2009, 07:09 PM

Publius, sorry, the fix I was considering was the good buddy, hammer fix.

Casimer · April 10, 2009, 07:15 PM

A jewelry restorer could probably do a very clean fix on that. There are techniques for removing dings and restoring the original contour - and they'll often have the skills and tools to do this.

James K · April 10, 2009, 08:32 PM

Do you have access to a heavy vise? If so, here is an idea that has worked for me. Make two pieces of steel to fit over the vise jaws. (The jaws are checkered, and you want smooth steel.)

Now hold the gun very carefully (or have someone do it) and insert the front sight into the vise. Tighten the vise. With luck, you will squeeze the ding back in without leaving any mark on the sight.

Jim

April 10, 2009, 06:21 PM	#3
hunter11 Member Join Date: January 31, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 66	Sight ding Unless you are a highly skilled tool maker I would recommend looking for a good !!!! Gunsmith. Otherwise it is going to show. Dan

April 10, 2009, 06:47 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Yes, it can be peened back into place, but may show a bit. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 10, 2009, 06:04 PM	#2
haiyter Member Join Date: August 30, 2007 Posts: 23	looked like post office banged it on something. Did you buy it New ? otherwise, return it and say its defective

April 10, 2009, 06:53 PM	#5
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	you aren't going to get it where it isn't noticeable and may make it a little worse. It doesn't look like there is any blueing damage but to fix it will result in marring of the blueing. If it were me I would consider 2 ways, 1st would be to take a very small file and just file the side sticking out flush. Second way would be to find a good buddy to hold the pistol with the good side of the front sight on a flat anvil (he is going to have to hold it perfectly flat and firm). You take a small hammer and punch and tap the bad side back flush. you will likely have to clean this up with a file too but should result in less loss of steel.

April 10, 2009, 07:08 PM	#6
copter_dad Junior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Posts: 13	Publius, that is exactly what I was considering. I didn't know if it was plausible. Have you tried it?

April 10, 2009, 07:09 PM	#7
copter_dad Junior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Posts: 13	Publius, sorry, the fix I was considering was the good buddy, hammer fix.

April 10, 2009, 07:15 PM	#8
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	A jewelry restorer could probably do a very clean fix on that. There are techniques for removing dings and restoring the original contour - and they'll often have the skills and tools to do this.

April 10, 2009, 08:32 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Do you have access to a heavy vise? If so, here is an idea that has worked for me. Make two pieces of steel to fit over the vise jaws. (The jaws are checkered, and you want smooth steel.) Now hold the gun very carefully (or have someone do it) and insert the front sight into the vise. Tighten the vise. With luck, you will squeeze the ding back in without leaving any mark on the sight. Jim