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Dovetails & sights

litetrigger
I have wondered if the dovetail for a sight is the same on one side as the other. ie 3/8" and does the sight have a tapper. Then what side do you start with? thanks
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4 comments

Date Votes
  • charliemeyer007
    Usually there is a slight taper. As far as I know there is no standard to the direction. Looking at the weapon in the shooting position I usually try the right to left tapping in a new sight or left to right tapping out a sight first.

    Dovetails for like a magazine tube on a rim fire are often cut with an end mill and are radiused so you turn the eye into the dovetail not driven in from the sides.

    A safe triangular file with only one cutting edge is the tool of choice for normal dovetails. IIRC the 1911 uses a different angle than the normal ones.

    http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/files/60-standard-slot-sight-base-files-prod698.aspx

    http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/files/65-1911-auto-type-slot-sight-base-files-prod27310.aspx
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  • navc130
    It is my understanding that most factory cut dovetails were cut with a slight taper; the wider cut on the right side, looking down the barrel from the rear. This was to ease insertion. So, to insert a sight drive R to L. to remove drive L to R.
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  • Bert H.
    Winchester dovetail slots were cut with a taper, and the sights went in from right to left with the muzzle pointed away (down-range).
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  • Kenneth Stuart
    To loosen a dovetail sight, I always think tap "Left" to "Loosen". It also helps to soak the dovetail groove and sight base with penetrating oil. Tapping them in is a lot easier, measure the sight and groove width with a caliper to determine which side of the groove to start the sight from, clean the groove and sight base with a brass brush, orient the sight, and tap it in. If you can't remember which side of the grove the sight came out off, this happens a lot more than you think it would, you can usually determine which side of the groove the sight starts easier from. If the sight stops and wont budge, tap it out, clean the groove and sight base again and try it tapping at the same side or start at the other side. Always use non-marring punches too.
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