Swapping sights on a Uberti Walker?

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Anyone have a home gunsmithing method for swapping out the front sight on either a Uberti Walker or a Pietta 1860 army?

I'd like to put a taller blank one on and then sight it in by filing down.

I'd rather NOT have to cut a dovetail to get this done...

[St. George]

They're a press-fit, so removal can be a good pair of parallel-jaw pliers and a steady pull (after you've masked the area well, to guard against marring the surface).

Then - all you have to do is find or make a blank and re-insert the tenon - then shape to fit.

Or - you could adjust your loads until you hit upon the 'magic' one that hits to point of aim for you.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Long Johns Wolf]

One additional thought: it appears that Uberti added some glue to the press-fit of the sights during the last couple of years, 2 component stuff like epoxy. Therefore, you may first want to put the barrel into your wife's oven at 200°C for 5 minutes to soften the glue just in case. Removal thereafter wearing heavy gloves (!) should be easy.
Once you have filed your taller sight to the right shape I suggest you also add 2 component glue in addition to the press-fit.
Good luck.
Long Johns Wolf

[Dakota Widowmaker]

LJW-

I like your idea... I will try that. I might lightly "stake" the sight along both sides just a bit as well.

I am going to defarb it after removing the old sight, but, before installing the new one.

[Tubac]

D.W.

What do you use to remove the stampings, a file?

Tubac

[Galloway]

Dakota you might also try putting something under the original sight and epoxying the original back in. Do let us know how it turns out. My biggest concern is getting the original out of the gun and is the reason I havent done it yet. I cant get a good bite on the sight with pliers.

[St. George]

A pair of square-faced parallel-jaw pliers (made by Sargent, I believe) will do the trick.

'De-Farbing' involves 'good' files, and varying grits of Wet-or-Dry sandpaper, followed by a 'good' polish like Simichrome.

STOP FILING/SANDING IMMEDIATELY as soon as the last vestige of lettering disappears.

To do it 'right' requires patience in large doses, as well as a good eye for symmetry.

Don't stake the front sight - it'll detract from the look of the piece.

These weapons were built to be shot accurately with specific loads - figuring that out for your individual revolver, and sticking with it - will save the time and effort of making a front sight.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Galloway]

St. George, I'd be intrested in hearing your C&B loads.

[St. George]

Pretty simple, actually - these are from awhile back.

Out of a 2d Generation 1851 Navy Colt (1971) - .375 Hornady round ball @ 80 grains - w/25 grains of Goex FFFg

Out of a 2d Generation Colt 1860 Army (1978) - .457 Hornady round ball @ 148 grains - w/30 grains of Goex FFFg

These pretty well replicated the 'issue' load, and I found that the sights seemed to be regulated for them - so I never bothered to experiment, since it wasn't needed.

Some years later, I found the exact loads shown in one of Mike Venturino's books - 'Shooting Colt Single Actions' - and he was using 2d Generation Colts, as well.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!