Author Topic: Ruger BH Front Sight - Gunsmithing (Read 785 times)

Doctor Sam · « **on:** June 22, 2004, 04:39:08 AM »

After several letters and a few phone calls I have obtained a new higher front sight from Ruger that will allow me to continue to use a 300g bullet and perhaps get the POI near the POA.

The new one has a hole in the base that I assume is a guide to soldering it on.

You gunsmiths out there help me out: how does this go on? Can an amateur silver solder this on or do I need a pro with a torch?

Many thanks.

Doctor Sam

KSR · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2004, 03:04:25 AM »

If you overheat the barrel you can ruin the bore, take it to a good smith
or send it to Ruger.

Malamute · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:27:13 AM »

The hole is for a small locating pin. Yes, it's best to have someone experienced in silver soldering to reduce the chance of overheating the bore.

Steve P · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2004, 10:05:56 AM »

What?

Did you get a whole sight? or a sight blade?

The single six and mark I & II sights have a screw hole in them. They are screwed onto the barrel. Screw hole is in the top of the base behind the blade.

Most blackhawk sights are one piece and are soldered on.

Most super blackhawk sights are two piece. Base is soldered onto the barrel. Blades are held in place with a roll pin thru the side of the base, thru the blade, and into the opposite side of the base.

What did you have? What did you get?

Better clarify or take to gunsmith.

Steve

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2004, 10:39:10 AM »

I received the whole sight. One piece, same as the original but with a much higher front blade.

Steve P · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2004, 09:23:53 AM »

If it were mine, I would get it to a competent pistolsmith like Pisco http://www.piscogunsmithing.com/ or send it to Ruger to install.

Steve

PA-Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2004, 10:22:31 AM »

Sonds like you have to punch out the current blade and install the new one using the same push pin.

macbullet · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2004, 02:22:19 PM »

45LC-Man · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2004, 12:27:54 PM »

If your gun is stainless all you have to do is drive out the old pin and pull the old sight blade out. Then insert the new sight and drill a hole the same size as the hole in the sight base. I did the same thing on my Blackhawk and it went flawlessly. If I can do it then anybody can. If it doesn't work all you have lost is a sight blank and Ruger has a warehouse full of brand new ones. As a friend of mine says to me quite often when faced with similar dilemas.............."take the bull by the horns".

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2004, 05:32:19 AM »

Thanks for all your replies, Gentlemen. The gun is blued. The sight is one piece, no roll pin. It does have a hole in the base.

I fail to understand how the heat from a propane torch that will melt silver solder would ruin a barrel. What would a 'smith use?
Someone educate me: I'm willing to learn.

Ruger wants a bunch of money for this job. :roll: In addition to the sight work they want to reblue the gun and charge for that. I think a few dabs of cold blue will suffice for this shooter
Doctor Sam

macbullet · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:06:06 PM »

45LC-Man · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2004, 01:16:57 AM »

If you don't mind saying so just how much did Ruger quote you on the job and how much of that price was the re-bluing? I have seen their re-bluing in the past and it is first rate. You won't be able to tell it from a new revolver.

Doctor Sam · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2004, 06:50:12 AM »

It was a phone conversation some time ago and I don't remember which charge was for what. All together, it approached about $85.00 which way more than I wanted to pay. The new sight was $11.25 and the rest was for installation and reblue.

doghouse95 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2004, 09:09:53 PM »

I believe that $85 is cheap. You will never get the blueing to look right by using any of the cold blueing products.
If you had sent it to ruger, or any other good smith, then you would know that you are going to have a handgun that looks as good as new.
That will not happen with cold blueing.

jar-wv · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2004, 03:52:51 AM »

One other thought. If you have any aftermarket parts in the gun, such as spring kits or whatever, take them out and replace with the originals before sending it to Ruger, as they will take them out and put in original equipment.

jar