Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Hand cut dovetails and SA front sights?

I'm thinkin of trying to file dovetails on a couple guns but as of yet I haven't done any. My gunsmith experience is merely parts swaps and polishing the innards. In my searchin I've seen reference to a dovetail jig that used to be offered by Wheeler but is no longer available. To much variance in barrel diameter apparently. But anyhow, I'd still like to try to file one or two myself so are there any other jigs available for this or am I stuck with free hand?

Next on the list is front sights for a single action guns, specifically a .32 H&R Single Six. Just can't see the sights like I want anymore. If I do dovetail this gun does anyone have a recommendation for a decent looking front sight?


Thanks, CB

When I had a reproduction sharps to cut down to Calvary length,i practiced on some round stock and some hex stock before i cut the one on the rifle.
They make a 3 cornered file that doesn't have teeth on one side for doing it by hand.
Just take your time and practice.

Yes, do practice on mild steel bar stock, the hardware store stuff. You don't need a jig, it's cut and try (who says the dovetail on the sight is cut precisely right anyway). Mine tended to come out oversize the first couple tries. And you can grind unwanted teeth off a common triangle file, just don't overheat the thing.

Is the 32 a fixed or adjustable sighted gun?

Fixed Stainless Birdshead.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm actually gonna be cutting down a barrel on a old .22 and will use the left over to try a couple free hand.

CB

First thought is WHoA!!! Lots of practice and go slow on the final product.

It's really not that hard, most of it is learning how to control the file so it cuts where you want it to cut, and NOT where you don't need to cut any more. The last part is what happened to me, then you get to learn how to adjust for oversize dovetails. Fortunately I was smart enough to mess up on practice pieces.

BTW, the adjusting for oversize practice came in handy when fitting sights on friends' muzzle loaders. Dovetails on the cheaper MLs seem to all be just a little bit different.