LocTite for 1911 Rear Sight?

Reptile · Aug 16, 2017

I have a Kensight rear sight on my 1911. It has no set screw and appears to have been secured initially with red Loctite, but I'm not sure which one.. It has had fewer than 200 rounds through it. At the range last week it started drifting left with each shot.

Any recommendations for locking it down?

Magnumite · Aug 16, 2017

If it is adjustable the set screw may be under the sight blade carrier. If it is no set screw then the sight trunion is too small or the dovetail in the slide is cut too large. More than red loctite should be securing the sight.
If a new pistol a warranty trip is in order. If someone installed it for you, see them.

Reptile · Aug 17, 2017

Magnumite said:
If it is adjustable the set screw may be under the sight blade carrier. If it is no set screw then the sight trunion is too small or the dovetail in the slide is cut too large. More than red loctite should be securing the sight.
If a new pistol a warranty trip is in order. If someone installed it for you, see them.

Once the sight worked loose, I could slide it out to the left or the right easily. Inside the dovetail there is a red residue that I assume is LocTite. I agree that the dovetail is too large and/or the trunion is too small.

It is a new firearm modified by the custom shop that imports them. This isn't the only sloppy work they did on this one, so this will be the third trip back to them, all related to the custom work, not the basic firearm. In fairness to them, the trigger job was outstanding, the flared mag well was a work of art, and the barrel crowning was impressive. But the Bubba who did the sights and polished the feed ramp needs some serious training and a lot more experience.

Magnumite · Aug 17, 2017

Hope it turns out okay. Sounds like you had a nice package put together.

Pinecone · Aug 17, 2017

The usual way to fix this is, if it is VERY loose, to use a prick punch of raise some dimples to tighten it.

Then, or only, peen the dovetail edge into the sight base to lock it in place.

Any of the IP gunsmiths should be able to do this quickly.

I had an early ParaOrdnance, where they milled the slot too big, and then epoxied the rear sight in place. It broke loose and fell out during a USPSA match.

Magnumite · Aug 17, 2017

That's a bummer...
There are also "rescue" sights available in a few styles. But the OP commissioned a service and it wasn't correctly performed.
OP, does the bottom or trunion sides look like those places were filed?

Silverlode · Aug 17, 2017

I have removed a dovetailed rear sight, drilled it, tapped it and put in a set screw. A bit of a hassle, but it worked. Less hassle than sending to factory in my opinion.

Reptile · Aug 17, 2017

The custom shop called me today to clarify the nature of the problem. They are going to "make it good". They confirmed that the sight was secured with a set screw and LocTite, so the screw must be under the sight blade carrier and not easily accessible.

inkd · Aug 17, 2017

Reptile said:
The custom shop called me today to clarify the nature of the problem. They are going to "make it good". They confirmed that the sight was secured with a set screw and LocTite, so the screw must be under the sight blade carrier and not easily accessible.

I'm betting they forgot the set screw. You can screw out the elevation screw and flip the carrier up and see if it's there. Just be careful of the wee springs in there.

Reptile · Aug 17, 2017

inkd said:
I'm betting they forgot the set screw. You can screw out the elevation screw and flip the carrier up and see if it's there. Just be careful of the wee springs in there.

Thanks. I'll do that in the bathroom where an errant spring can be found if it gets away. First I'll close the toilet lid and the sink and tub drains.

BradMacc82 · Aug 17, 2017

Do it with the slide inside a gallon sized zip-loc bag, limits how far springs/detents can go flying off to.

Reptile · Aug 17, 2017

BradMacc82 said:
Do it with the slide inside a gallon sized zip-loc bag, limits how far springs/detents can go flying off to.

Pure genius! :thumbsup:

BradMacc82 · Aug 17, 2017

Also a great trick when assembling AR lowers, w/out the buffer tube in place.

byf43 · Aug 18, 2017

I've worked on more than one loose sight, and peening the slide and/or the rear sight is the LAST thing I'd tell anyone to do. (Unless they've successfully done it, several times!)

You can easily SHIM the bottom of the rear sight dovetail, using either shim stock (Brownell's) or by cutting a very small piece of feeler gauge that you place in the bottom of the dovetail, then using a BRASS punch or sight installation tool, put the rear sight back in place.

You'd be surprised at what .002" feeler gauge will tighten up.

IF you're going to disassemble the sight from the slide, clean out that adhesive (Locktite) and when you re-install, do NOT use Red Locktite. Red is permanent (supposedly.)

I'd recommend "Green" Locktite. It's more or less permanent, but, you don't need "heat" to remove, like you do with "Red".

LocTite for 1911 Rear Sight?

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