Dovetail slot

[mustanggt]

I just got a Stevens 44 in 22lr. It has a very nice old Lyman tang sight and the original buckhorn sight needed to be removed to allow use of the Lyman. I love this rifle and it is very accurate. I have several 3/8" blanks but it is smaller than that and can't seem to find any size but 3/8. The best I can come up with is 9/32" but maybe a 1/4? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[GregLaROCHE]

You should be able to find the appropriate size, which is best. Where are you looking? Maybe go to an experienced gunsmith (hard to find these days) and he may have access to more sources, than you do. Otherwise, there’s always a little bit of black epoxy paste, but get good quality and not five minute set up.

[pietro]

.

IME, a lot of those older rifles had skinny dovetails, and could likewise not locate a new sight for sale that would fit, so I ended up reducing the size of a new sight's male mouting dovetail to fit. (aka: gunsmithing ;) )

Before you do it, though, make sure you start with a sight the correct height to achieve zero.

.

[mustanggt]

Thanks for the replies. I will try filing down the blanks that I have to fill the slot.

[pietro]

I wouldn't try to file 1/4" off a sight dovetail because it might take until Thanksgiving Day... ;_

I would suggest you mark the top of your slot filler blank with the width of the barrel/female dovetail's bottom + .10"; grinding the blank to the mark before filing the ground end of the blank to fit with a triangular file.

.

[mustanggt]

Well I did manage to file it down to size and it didn't take very long. What takes time for me is I need to sneak up on it so I don't take off one too many file strokes. Happens to me too much. Thanks

[skeettx]

Same as a 1911 rear sight?

[mustanggt]

I don't know if it is a 1911 dovetail slot size.

[pietro]

Well I did manage to file it down to size and it didn't take very long.


Good on you ! ( I luvit, when a plan comes together)