Dovetails the easy way

General firearm discussions that do not fit in our specific firearm-related forums.
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Japhy
Posts: 709
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:19 am

Dovetails the easy way

Post by Japhy »

Having given up on getting my Ruger MKII drilled and tapped for a rail I ordered a dovetail mount for a Holosun 407. Removing the existing dovetailed rear sight was a challenge.
Next task is to install the mount into the dovetail. The instructions say file the base a few strokes at a time until it can be tapped in if you didn’t have a sight mover. I instead opted for a run to the grocery store for 1 lb of dry ice. Dropped the plate on the chunk of dry ice for a few min, picked up with needle nose pliers and just pushed it into position.
Dry ice will cool a 1/2in dovetail from room temp to shrink it by just over .001.
Presto no hammer required! No dings, no dents, no marred finish
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GrapeApe
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Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:26 am

Re: Dovetails the easy way

Post by GrapeApe »

Good idea :!: That does sound easy :idea:
Bet it's going to be a MAJOR pain in the butt if you ever want to remove it though :o
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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Bigslug
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Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:28 am

Re: Dovetails the easy way

Post by Bigslug »

Nicely done!

One of The Great Mysteries of the firearm industry to me is that a bunch of different manufacturers are making replacement sights for Glocks that typically drift right into the dovetail with some moderate force on the wheel of a sight pusher. . .and seemingly everybody else needs measuring, filing, fitting, and sometimes, the BFH.

Why "This is the spec. Build to it." works for the one and is such a challenge for everything else is a great puzzlement.
WWJMBD?

I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: Dovetails the easy way

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Bigslug wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 12:14 pm Nicely done!

One of The Great Mysteries of the firearm industry to me is that a bunch of different manufacturers are making replacement sights for Glocks that typically drift right into the dovetail with some moderate force on the wheel of a sight pusher. . .and seemingly everybody else needs measuring, filing, fitting, and sometimes, the BFH.

Why "This is the spec. Build to it." works for the one and is such a challenge for everything else is a great puzzlement.
To add to that, Saint Gaston uses a 47 degree dovetail instead of 45.
Because, who knows why.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
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jbp-ohio
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Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:55 pm

Re: Dovetails the easy way

Post by jbp-ohio »

Our tool room at work has a freezer just for dry ice. They use it on bearing races and helicoils (they aren't actually helicoils but I can't remember the name because........ brain)
Waipapa13
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Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 5:45 am

Re: Dovetails the easy way

Post by Waipapa13 »

Nothing to add, apart from that I realise why we'll never put a man on the moon.

Our grocery stores don't sell dry ice!

seriously mind blown by that.
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