Thompson Auto Ordinance keeps throwing its front sight

[Land_Owner]

My Thompson just won't hold on to the front sight.  I paid a gun smith last year to install one.  The kind with the with a white dot.  He did.  It was loose.  I didn't like him so I didn't go back.

After yesterday's range session the blade front sight is once again missing.  If it was a dove tail I could do it myself.  It is a peened fitting and I am loath to hammer into the barrel shroud to do it myself.

Granted I have to buy another front sight, but do I have any other options?

[mdi]

I just changed sights on my 1911. I have a RIA plane jane 45 ACP and the sights were tiny. I got a set from Numerich and peened the front in place. My findings; Needed to make a jig to hold the slide tight against an anvil (piece of 1/4" steel 1/2" X 3"). The tenon was a few thousandths too wide so I had to file for a tight fit. Cleaned the sight area with brake clean and applied red Locktite to the slide sight hole. I found that a medium hammer, 6 oz. or so with sharp raps on the staking tool worked best. I had to use a 3/32" punch to start the peening and finished with the staking tool (Kings Gun Works). Cleaned the peening with a Dremel and made sure barrel bushing would fit. I made sure the slide/sight were tight against the anvil so it would not push out of the slide when I peened it. I also wrapped the slide , sight and anvil in blue painter's tape to protect from the tools. Worked ok, the front sight is flush w/the slide and no wiggle...

Edit; I din't think it's too much of a job for a gunsmith to put a dovetail in the slide for a front sight, might give that a thought.

[drdougrx]

Hey Land Owner,

I was looking at the AO....fairly inexpensive....except for the front site...do you like it???

[Land_Owner]

Only full sized 1911 I own Doc.  I like it and used to carry it on my person when hunting to protect my hind end in case of Poachers or other "rascals" in the woods.

If I compare it to the Stainless Steel Colt Defender 45 ACP that I have...well, it is no match for the higher quality of the Defender as that is the SWEETEST HAND GUN I HAVE EVER SHOT - but that is another story.

The T-AO was purchased used from a former work associate in '04 at his '88 retail price of $317 (tax incl.), which is CONSIDERABLY LESS than today's price for used.  It had been "well oiled" when I got it and is no worse for the wear I give it.  I had the 3-prong spring replaced to overcome its tendency to double tap.  That was an interesting way to shoot ~5K rounds as it happened frequently. 

I have cycled about 6K rounds through it (this past weekend 350 more).   Mostly my own medium-hard hand loads (200 gr. Rainier Cu-clad RN). 

It is STRONG, accurate (when the front sight is on tightly), and shoots to point of aim (sometimes I am even on target). 

I like to shoot it.  My kids of 14, 19, and 27 do too!

[drdougrx]

Thanks LO,

I was also looking at a SW1911 sub compact pro....very sweet...but at $920...the AO looks kinda good too.  I have quite a few 1911's currently...but there's always room for another!!!

[shvlhead.45]

Land-Owner,

  In the Army TM on the M1911 pistol, there are plans for jigs and other locally manufatured special tools for repairing M1911s.  All easily made by a machine shop.  Special tool for staking front sight, special tool for staking the detent tube for the left side of the receiver, staking tool for the grip inserts...

I don't recall the TM number at this time but can get it later and pass it along.  I plan to have me a set made.

v/r
Shvlhead.45

[williamlayton]

I do not like staked sights---I won't go into that rant.
Looks like the ol boy would have stood by his work---I don't blame you for not using him again.
I really like the Heinie slant pro's.
Blessings

[Land_Owner]

shvlhead...I found that TM here:  http://www.m1911.org/MAINT45B.PDF  and that is one interesting looking riviting tool for staking the front sight to the slide.

Here is a pictorial that is quite good... http://www.realguns.com/archives/165.htm

I will inquire whether my new gunsmith can reset the front sight.

[mdi]

http://www.realguns.com/archives/165.htm

This is much the same method I used. I didn't have a good drill vise so I made a jig to hold the slide. I think my work came out pretty good, even if I do say so myself!   

[Mikey]

Land Owner:  have you thought about something like jb weld, or bedding compound?  The posts on the front sights are not very large and are designed to be staked but the hole the post goes into can easily be 'generous' and would most likely benefit from some 'bedding'.  You could bed the front sight with a bit of JB and I doubt it will go anywhere; same for bedding compound.  just a thought.

[olydraft]

you can buy a front sight staking tool from Brownells

[Land_Owner]

I've thought about buying one, but how many times in a non-gunsmith's life am I going to need that tool?  Twice so far, but not much more than that.  Kind of "specializes" that tool and relegates it to a job for the smith...

[shvlhead.45]

Land_Owner,

The TM that you have is the repair manual but the TM 9-1005-211-35P has the drawings used by machine shops to make the special tools and there are more than just the front sight staking tool.  I looked for my disc with the TMs on it but didn't find it, will look again when I have a little more time and will post the pics.

v/r
Shvlhead.45

[Land_Owner]

shvlhead...I Googled that TM and this link http://www.kmike.com/45/tm-9-1005-211-34.pdf took me to the TM on-line.  I just LOVE Table 2.1 IMPROVISED TOOLS.  Now THAT is something you do not see every day.

[shvlhead.45]

Land_Owner,

I'm a bone head and missed table 2.1. Im use to using the 34P manual which had those fixtures/tools in the back of it. 

Those tools work, used them a number of times before the M9 replaced the M1911A1 in the Army.  The I've installed new plunger tubes, front sights, and grip bushings with those "special tools".  When we had a slide go bad, we cut it down and made a "special tool" to straighten the front sight covers on the M2 Machine Guns after one had been dropped.  Can't do any of those cool repairs to the M9 and the M9 receiver wears out before the slide assembly.

v/r
Shvlhead.45