31 wells fargo sight

[Highknob]

I have a CVA 31 wells fargo style revolver. It shoots way to high for the sight. Does the front sight screw in or is it pressed? I need to make a new on much higher.

[Lefty Dude]

I would find some one who is handy with a Tig-welder and have that person lay a bead on top of the sight. Then adjust as necessary with a file, dress the sides and contour to suit your style. I have done this to several revolvers that needed the fix.
Usually an 1/8" bead of weld will do the trick.

[Highknob]

Thanks for the reply. I'll see if I can locate someone to weld it for me. I thought if it was treaded in I could replace it with a brass screw and file it to suit.

[Lefty Dude]

That sight may be pressed in, not sure.

[Coffinmaker]

Your front sight is a "pin" .... right??  Your going to be amazed at how much front sight your going to need to get it down even close to point of aim. 
The "pin" or Bead front sight is pressed in and then staked.  You may well be able to get a grip on it with a ViceGrip with a piece of shim stock between the pliers and the barrel surface to prevent scratching/galling.

Coffinmaker

[Blair]

My understanding is that all original front sights of this type, as well as the reproductions were threaded.

Many are very low profile and are therefore difficult to get a pin vise to grip them.

Shotgun gunsmiths might be a good place to check for removing the old sight, and replace it with a bead like/type front sight that is taller.
Keep in mind, a taller front sight makes it easier to be damaged.
Just a suggestion on my part.
My best,
Blair

[Lefty Dude]

Place black electrical tape or such around the barrel behind the sight. This will prevent marring the barrel as you work. I would try a pair of Diagonal side cutter pliers, using them as a wedge to lift the sight out of the barrel. putting just enough pressure on the pliers to not cut thru the pinned sight. Lifting up as you squeeze the handles.

Worst case; if the sight is cut off or breaks. Drill it out and now you can do the replacement.

[Gabriel Law]

I bought a .32 S & W conversion cylinder for my  Uberti 31 Wells Fargo, and the little brass 'shotgun' style front sight shot way too high.  So I simply filed out a front sight out of mild steel, and soft soldered it to the barrel, after filing off the old sight.  I removed only the sight and enough of the blue for the new sight.  I made it to high, and then filed it down to give me a 25 yd. point blank sight.  the rear hammer notch too needed work, since the pistol shot to one side by a titch, so used an abrasive wheel on a Dremel to cut the notch deeper, and move it to the side a bit.  Worked perfectly.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have an 1862 Police that shoots very high. The barrel seems VERY thin.

My idea is to get one of the tall fusil front sights from TOTW. (Not done it yet!)

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/874/3

[Gabriel Law]

I've done this with a lot of my revolvers, whose front sight is way too low to be practical.  I think the design has two advantages at least for the era.  First, you simple aim at a man's belt buckle to hit him in the centre of mass, and second, the sights of a 1860 Army are tack on at about 100 yds.  In all the cases I made the make-over, I filed out a new blade with a significant base, and soft soldered them to the surface of the barrel.  Your idea has much merit, Sir Charles.

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho the fire,

Is the velocity close to the 'original velocity for the gun?  Guns shoot high with low velocity rounds and low with higher velocities.  Could be a factor here.

DD-MDA