I've been working on a 'Schuetzen style' .22 rifle built on a Stevens 'Favorite' action with a full octagon barrel.  The front sight dovetail is way too big for any sight I've tried...must be 3/4".  Silver solder a piece into the dovetail, do the same instead to the sight? any thoughts on this.  BTW, the barrel is a 1915 Stevens, as I recall, had to shorten the chamber end a bit and rechamber by a small amount.  Bill

Gents,

I've always followed the first rule of gunsmithing when repairing an altered mess.  Concentrate on the cheapest, easiest to replace, or most messed up part first.  My first impression would make the front sight my first choice, just in case all goes awry.  However, all that usually proves to be nothing more than a great theory.

In this case, with as big a gap as you indicate, that may dictate installing a front or rear filler block filed into the shape of a parallelogram that precisely matches one side of the existing dovetail for near invisible fit.  You may have to actually file the already oversize dovetail a bit to get a uniform surface to work with.  Retain the filler with a single very small #2 or 3 countersunk screw and Loctite.  Make the filler a bit bigger than needed and then file the installed filler block to fit the sight and contour of the barrel.  Careful workmanship and finish touchup should yield a nearly invisible and very functional repair.  Depending on the filler screw location and the type of sight, it may even be possible to completely hide the screw when the sight is driven in place.

The filler could also be soft soldered into place, but it will be nearly impossible to hide the solder filled gap.

Hayface

Nice work on that, Marlinguy

Neat fix for a nasty problem. Will put it in my book. Give your friend a Gold Star.
Chuck

I need a friend like that!