[ether]

Hey Boge, I've posted this here before, but I learned this trick from Colt.

Take a pointed center punch similar to this one...there are most certainly better ones...just an example:

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Remove the sight. Grab a big, heavy hammer. Set the slide on a solid but rag-buffered surface (something like the flat rear "anvil" part of a large vice). Arrange the punch in the center of the dovetail, and then whack the crap out of it. And test and repeat until you've raised up enough metal from the divot to where you can securely drive the sight back in with a flat punch

 

[ether]

Just saying, its always good practice to work on the part of lessor value. Beating on the slide like that instead of peening the sharp edges of the dovetail on the sight would not normally be expected.

All I can tell you is that's how Colt managed to secure the rear sight to my 1991A1. I've done that on a couple of Springfield rear sights since, and it's worked for me. I'd prefer friction over glue any day, but do what works for you

 

[ether]

As I stated in the 1st post, it has already been staked and per my experiences staking is usually just a temporary solution.

The method I'm trying (maybe failing) to describe isn't exactly "staking". What I'm suggesting is that you use a sharp center punch to raise up enough metal underneath the sight that it creates enough upward force of friction in order to keep the sight in place once you drive it back in.

If you do it right, no one will ever know until they remove the sight.

 

[ether]

"Cratering" may be visually more applicable a term.

Then you force the sight to ride up over the crater.

There you go! Yep..."divot"..."crater"...whatever words help But you're displacing enough metal in the crater that it rises up to create pressure/friction on the sight when you drive it back into the dovetail.

It's a little trial-and-error, but it's a pretty simple procedure.

 

[ether]

Someone mentioned silver solder a minute ago. Once and done. So you have to spend a couple of bucks. How long do you want to fool with this thing ??? Mike.

The method I described is invisible once the the sight is back in place. I'm better with a hammer and punch than I am with solder or glue. I tend to make a mess

 

[ether]

We get it. No need to tell us yet again.

I'm not going to tell you again But even a set screw probably won't hold as long and fast as good old-fashioned dovetail friction.

What would be hilarious is if you sent your slide back to have it repaired, and the factory did exactly what I recommended.

I'm not trying to be mean or mess with you, but you have to admit that would be ironic

 

[ether]

Like stippling under the fs

Yeah, that could work, too...just more labor/cost. I guess it depends on the slide that you're looking to "crater".

At the time, it wasn't anything for Colt to put a single, centered crater in my 1991A1 slide dovetail...because they were still in production, and it was the cheapest 1911 they offered.

But that crater still worked when I replaced the original sight with a King's sight, without me having to do anything but drive out the old sight and drive in the new one.

It's a cheap, easy, simple solution...but it might not be the best solution for every pistol.