stripped sight threads

[mattd]

i bought a rifle and one of the holes in the barrel for the front sight are stripped. is the right thing to do just to tap it for the next larger thread size and get a new screw?

[RayO]

Brownells has a tap for that purpose.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/taps-dies/taps/brownells-146-48-taps-prod41617.aspx

[mattd]

so i guess it requires a special tap. probably more cost effective to have a professional do it in that case.

[Nobade]

If it doesn't generate too terrible much recoil, you might be able to get by with Loctite "Form a thread" or some sort of good epoxy.Mold release on everything but the hole, put it together, let cure, and clean it up the next day. On low stress parts like that it usually works fine.

-Nobade

[nhrifle]

Brownells has oversize screws for just this purpose