Rear sight, Marlin XT-22

SCOUT5

November 08, 2016 13:17

Experts,

I bought one of these for a Christmas gift for a grandson and picked it up last night. Today I unboxed it and noticed the rear sight was off to the right. It didn't appear to be drift off center that much. On further inspection there is lateral play in the rear sight The play is in the dovetail fitting. I don't know it the dove tail is cut a little to big or the sight to small. The rear of the sight will move laterally fairly easily about a 1/4"

I can call Marlin tomorrow. But I am wondering if anyone has a cure, new after market sights (maybe with a set screw), punch and anvil to spread the base of the site, etc.

I don't really want to ship it back in and hope to get it back in time for Christmas. If I can fix this that's best, or I may get him another brand rifle, keep this one for myself and scope it.

Thanks

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  toad67

  November 08, 2016 14:14

  IIRC, the rear sight should be a standard 3/8" dovetail. Measure the new sight to see if it is undersized, or if the dovetail was cut too large. If it's a bad sight, then Marlin would probably send you a new one. If the slot is too big then there a few different options.

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  charliemeyer007

  November 08, 2016 14:33

  If you like the rifle go buy a second rifle as the gift. Merry Christmas. Lots of ways to fix the issue once you figure out what is wrong. I'm not a big Ruger fan but a takedown 10-22 might be a good choice.
  
  added I know that CCI CB Longs will feed in a 10-22, they will not cycle the action, but are very accurate and nearly silent. I have a brick of WW Super Speed shorts from the 50's I think. Dad had a mint octagon barrel gallery Winchester model 90 in 22 Short from the 20's or 30's. I have 1906 that we modified - came as cut down pistol. We put Rem 513 barrel on it - shoot good and I like the exposed hammer. I dearly love the 121 Remington. I started shooting it and the model 12 in the early 60's. I just love the all milled parts.

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  rufe-snow

  November 08, 2016 15:55

  Easiest way to tighten a loose dovetail fit, is with a small center punch. The flat mating surface on the bottom of the dovetail, and corresponding surface of the bottom of the sight. Are very carefully hit at a 30 degree angle with the center punch using a light hammer.
  
  The purpose is to raise a burr, on the flat surfaces. Be careful, and do this on a trial and error basis. To much on either surface, might cause binding of the sight in the dovetail.

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  kidthatsirish

  November 08, 2016 16:35

  Or you could order the Williams firesight for an upgrade...about 35 bucks, look good, adjustable and great in low light as well (case he ever has to Dispatch a possum or such)
  
  Good gift for the young man though!

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  SCOUT5

  November 09, 2016 07:52

  I appreciates everyone's responses, thank you.
  
  I drifted the sight out and used a set of dial mics on it. The sight was .360 (small) and the dove tail was .375 (as it should be). Thank you Toad67.
  
  After seeing the dovetail wasn't the problem I looked up a set of Williams sights and decided if I ruined the original sight I would order a set, if I needed them. Thanks KTI. So having a back up plan I used some hand tools an old vacuum cleaner belt a hammer and makeshift punches on the dovetail fitting of the sight. Drifted it back in and it was tight and I think it's good to go. Thanks RS.
  
  Charlie, I bought the rifle because it is a tube feed magazine model and is supposed to also handle shorts and longs as well as LR. If it does I may very well buy myself one. I've always used a combo of .22 ammo in my different uses for a .22 rifle, shorts, cb's of different lengths, long rife. Couple that with aging eyes and I have been thinking of a set up just like this, I currently use a Winchester 67A for most of my .22. work and I don't want to bugger it up mounting a scope, so something new is due. I do have a semi-auto though.
  
  Thanks Experts.

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