This should be a easy one for you guys I hope!

[Ace Lungger]

I have a Lyman 17AU front sight, this front sight was made for the American dove tail slot. I want to us it on a ITaly made gun, and they have a little bigger dove tail! Why can I not go get some different size brass shim stock, and shim under it, so it is very tight to drive in? Or do I need to wrap the 3 sides with a thin shim stock to make it fit right?
I would be great full, for any help!!
ACE

[Dirty Brass]

Well, the higher you go, the less grip you'll have on the dovetail walls. I've done some filling with JB Weld on shooters and it held up very good. Not cosmetically perfect though.....

[Coffinmaker]

Once the dovetail is too big.  It is too big.  Your shim stock won't stay under the sight as you try to drive it in.  Once the sight is in the dovetail "too high" there is less metal to grip and retain the sight.  The top edges of the dovetail may well not retain the sight under recoil.

I would personally suggest a different approach/sight choice.  Incidentally, an Italian built rifle ('66, '73 or Henry) have standard 3/8 dovetails, cut a bit loose in some cases.  That is why the Italian front sights have a set screw.

Coffinmaker

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks guys,
I figure I would have to buy the proper one, it goes on a 74. I even thought of silver solder on both sides and filling them down, i just don't thinI can get a even fileing, then it wouldn't sit in the dove tail strait! Thanks For the help!
ACE