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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Building Double Rifles & Gunsmithing

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gungadoug
.333 member

Reged: 13/08/12
Posts: 285
Loc: NM

floppy sight leaves
#231357 - 20/06/13 10:58 AM

I have a 300 Sherwood, Martini action, and a Bland 303 double, both of which have folding rear sight leaves. They are not spring loaded, and flop up with just an inversion of the rifle. The pins have been replaced, and that worked for the first couple of times, but now they flop! These are very simple types, with 2 leaves per pin, one with a center bearing, the next with two bearing tubes outside the first.

Any advise on how to fix the floppies would be appreciated!! Possibly squeeze the base at the pin hole? Fill it full of rubber cement? I'm kinda out of ideas, so help would be good, before I do fill it up with rubber!
Thanks, Doug

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: gungadoug]
#231360 - 20/06/13 12:03 PM

Doug- the liquid rubber - ie: tape in a can or for coating tool handles might work if you can get it inside, somehow. It should be resilient enough to become a sort of compressible pressure bearing - for some time, perhaps?
I think that would be preferable to centre punching the pin pivots.
Maybe that will give you some other ideas?

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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aromakr
.375 member

Reged: 20/04/11
Posts: 849
Loc: Hamilton, Montana

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: DarylS]
#231387 - 21/06/13 12:19 AM

Doug:
I think what has probably happened is over years of use the pivot hole in the sight blade has worn, but the base has not, because there is no movement of the pin in the base. When the pin was replaced it is tight in the base but the hole in the blade is still enlarged. I would drill out both the base and sight leaf to the next size larger pin. Use a drill that is about 1/2 a thousand under the pin size.
Probably the easiest fix is as Daryl suggested and punch the pivots with a center punch.
Bob

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gungadoug
.333 member

Reged: 13/08/12
Posts: 285
Loc: NM

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: aromakr]
#231406 - 21/06/13 05:49 AM

OK, the sight leaves have been fit to the new pins, and as said that didn't last. Also the pins fit to the base. So- punch the pivots-- let's see if I can illustrate?
I--II--I on the first sight leaf base, do: I--''--I, with the '' being the punch points?

And, for second sight, I-I--I-I, to I-'--'-I, does this make sense??
Thanks, Doug

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aromakr
.375 member

Reged: 20/04/11
Posts: 849
Loc: Hamilton, Montana

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: gungadoug]
#231408 - 21/06/13 07:22 AM

Doug:
If the previous fix only lasted for a couple of times as you say, then either the replacement pins were too soft or not large enough in diameter. A tight fit of the pin in the pivot holes should last for years, its not something that requires smooth movement. They should be tight enough to require a bit of effort to move them into position.
As to punching the pivot, you need to locate what is too loose. If its the leaf punch it, if the axel is too loose in the base then punch them. if all are loose punch them all. If all are too loose then the axel is too small, as alluded to in the above paragraph and I would replace the axel instead of messing with punching, which will slightly deform the sight.
Bob

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Marrakai
.416 member

Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3591
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: aromakr]
#231418 - 21/06/13 12:02 PM

I have a little light-weight WP Jones rook rifle that does this, leaves stand up with recoil and if not noticed, second shot qoes way high!
I just put a smear of grease onto the flat beneath the leaf and pressed it down. Works for many trips to the range, then very easily replaced.

Sorry, I always seem to be guilty of applying the KISS principle.....

Too bad if you want them to stay up, though....

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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2152hq
.300 member

Reged: 20/05/12
Posts: 126
Loc: USA

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: Marrakai]
#231422 - 21/06/13 12:50 PM

Gently squeeze the assembly together with the sight leaves & pin in place.
You have to put friction on the leaves from the sides to keep them in position,,a light press fit into the base itself.
Sometimes it easier to do w/o the leaves & pins in place,,but it's also very easy to go too far this way.

It's still not the best system and will again wear and get loose as they are pivoted back and forth. But it will last much longer than a tight fitting pivot pin.

Maybe if you magnetize the whole thing the leaves will stay put in the down position. Doesn't do much for long range work though..

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gungadoug
.333 member

Reged: 13/08/12
Posts: 285
Loc: NM

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: 2152hq]
#231453 - 22/06/13 07:09 AM

Thanks, all!! All viable ideas. I think the pins were replaced with drill rod, so maybe the leaves themselves are soft?? I like the grease idea! Seems the consensus is that things will eventually loosen up again without a spring, so think the thick axle grease is a good idea, worth a try! Nothing to lose.
Hmm- magnetize? I guess I would have to hold under when using steel solids, since they would be sucked up to the top of the bore--- joking of course!

Thanks, Doug

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gungadoug
.333 member

Reged: 13/08/12
Posts: 285
Loc: NM

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: gungadoug]
#231490 - 23/06/13 10:45 AM

Well, did the punch thing, seemed to work. Likely these blades will very seldom be moved, punched from the lower side, so not visible with the blades down. I think 400 yd could be a stretch even for the mighty 300 Sherwood!
Thanks for advise, Doug

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: floppy sight leaves [Re: gungadoug]
#231491 - 23/06/13 12:29 PM

Glad it worked, Doug.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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