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Author Topic: Re-staking front sight SSA - Update...  (Read 773 times)

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Offline Jagguy

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Re-staking front sight SSA - Update...
« on: August 08, 2010, 01:45:37 PM »
The front sight on my nickle Uberti SSA is loose. Is getting it tightened up something most any good smith can do? The finish is worn enough that I don't really care if it gets marked up a little in the process.
Thanks for any advice.
-greg
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Offline saddlebum

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2010, 06:17:49 PM »
I doubt that it is staked on. I lost the front sight on my blued Uberti because it was not soldered on good. Mine got a little loose and I kept shooting. Then it flew off with the recoil and was never seen again. Gunsmith had to solder on a new one and re-blue the barrel. He didn't do too good a job of it either. You might want to talk to a smith before you lose it. Maybe he can figure out a way to save it without having to refinish your barrel. Sorry for the bad news.   :(
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" FIREARMS STAND NEXT IN IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. THEY ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S LIBERTY TEETH AND KEYSTONE UNDER INDEPENDENCE."       George Washington

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Offline 44 Man

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2010, 04:00:46 PM »
This is not a good situation.  I'm afraid that re-soldering the sight in will permanently discolor the nickle plating.  I think the only real solution is to send the gun back to Uberti and have them give you a quote on the work.  I may be a lot cheaper to screw in a new nickled barrel with sight attached.  Hopefully they'll just go ahead and fix it out of the goodness of their hearts.  Good luck to you.  44 Man
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2010, 04:11:41 PM »
What about using a heavy duty epoxy like JB Weld?  Never tried it, but I got a feeling it might work..

Larry
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Offline Jagguy

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2010, 09:37:50 AM »
Well, that's a bummer. Thanks for the info. Since this is a Mitchell import it looks like Uberti won't touch it.
I think I will try some Tix jewelers solder, it flows at a low enough temp that I doubt it will damage the nickle (much?) My luck with adhesives on firearms hasn't been good where heat is concerned.
Thanks again, -greg
 
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2010, 06:58:51 AM »
Try repeated degreasing (spray, like Brake Clean would be good), then blow dry and heat lightly with a propane torch (or even on the kitchen stove) to cook out any residue. Build up a tape, or such, 'dam' around the sight and sqeeze in some HD Locktite. Let it sit for days, then sop up whats left with tissue and let it sit a few more days. It may draw the Locktite in and set up to hold it.
You can always get more 'aggressive' later.
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Offline Jagguy

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2010, 09:30:32 AM »
Wanted to report. The Tix solder and flux arrived yesterday.
Today I removed the cylinder and chucked the frame in the vice (padded of course).
I cleaned the unplated area of the front sight and the groove in the barrel with a stainless mini wire wheel from my Dremel tool. I fluxed them both with the Tix flux and put them together centered in the groove. That leaves a small space in front and back of the sight blade.
Because of the nickle plate I really didn't want to heat it with a flame so I tried heating it with my electric heat gun. Took my time getting it up to temperature. Hit the spaces with a stick of solder and it flowed in beautifully. Filled the slot to just overflow and let it cool down.
Cleaned it up with some 0000 steel wool and looks like it never came off. Sight is very tight. I haven't fired it yet but as hot as the barrel was to get the solder to flow I'm pretty sure I won't get it that hot by shooting it.
Took about 10 minutes from start to finish and no damage at all to the nickle finish.
Thought I would share.
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Offline saddlebum

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA - Update...
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2010, 09:49:20 AM »
Thanks for the update. I hope it holds good for you. That's a trick that could come in handy in the future. If I had known that trick before I took mine to the gunsmith, I would have tried it. Good job!!
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" FIREARMS STAND NEXT IN IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. THEY ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S LIBERTY TEETH AND KEYSTONE UNDER INDEPENDENCE."       George Washington

“OUR CONSTITUTION WAS MADE ONLY FOR A MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE. IT IS WHOLLY INADEQUATE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY OTHER."           John Adams

Offline 44 Man

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Re: Re-staking front sight SSA - Update...
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2010, 12:31:29 PM »
Glad to hear it worked for you!  (And you saved a hundred dollars or more!)  You did good!  44 Man
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