How is the Pietta 1858 front post sight attached?

[curtism1234]

I have a 1858 from Pietta and the front sight is slightly crooked.

Is it possible to take a pair of pliers and slightly twist it back straight?

[darrell8937]

I have a 1858 Pietta that the front sight is off center. I can't believe Pietta shipped it. have leared to compensate. bought from Cabelas. I am sure the would have made it right! But never bothered! I might look into this! Perhaps opening the rear sight might make it shoot to Point of Aim.

[curtism1234]

I had such a hassle when I bought these guns from Cabelas (not their service though)

1. Mail order Walker wouldn't cock right
2. So I went to the store and bought a 1858 target - got it home and the sights wouldn't ajust to the POA
3. Got the 1858 - brought it home and saw the sights were crooked. Shot way left
4. They had to order another 1858 - that one wouldn't mechanically work so I didn't even bring it home

So I still have the original 1858  I'm going to try to twist the front post.
If that breaks off, I'm just going to have it dovetailed.

thanks

[Flint]

When (not if) a Pietta front sight falls off I replace it with an Uberti dovetail front sight.  If you have a gunsmith install the sight, he needs a 74 degree cutter. (Brownell's part number 080-000-272).

[NickSS]

Flint where do you get the uberti front sight from?

[Timmer]

Wrote to Pietta and was told that the front sight is indeed screwed on/in. I haven't removed it yet but I did file the frame on the right side to open up the rear notch sight. At least that way I could shoot to point of aim with round balls.

[Flint]

Uberti front sight is available from VTIgunparts.com.

[Smokin_Gun]

I believe the 1858 Pietta sites are soldered in...maybe some are threaded. But barrels heated and stud or threads are silver soldered in, or should be.  If heated the bluing will have to be touched up with a hot blue or Perma instant blue like Casey's. If that post blade site is cocked chances are it's a post site and soldered, rather than cross threaded.
Only one way to find out...

SG

[.50cal]

My first 1858 was soldered in and was not straight..... I tried straighten it with plyers it broke off before it moved. I cut a dove tail with files an a dremel tool then made a front sight from 3/16 key stock from a parts store,files, dremel and bench grinder.