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Cutting a larger dovetail slot?

FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
I have an old Stevens .22 rifle that originally had a reeiver peep rear sight. In place of a barrel mounted open rear sight,there is a smaller than 3/8 blank. I want to add a barrel mounted sight and 3/8 dovetails are all I can find.
How hard is it to open up the existing dovetail? What would be the proceedure? Thanks.
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Comments

  • JKJK Member Posts: 223 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are files for recutting an existing dovetail slot for this purpose, but you must be very wary that what you take off cannot be replaced. Fixtiure it so that you will not cut too deeply or make a pilar. It has to be done SLOWLY and patiently and don't forget the sight goes in from right to left looking from the chamber, hence there's a slight taper in the slot. LOL and go slowly. If the barrel has no taper to it you can clamp it in a vise so that the bottom of the slot flushes with top of the vise jaws. This will eliminate rounding of the bottom surface of the dovetail. Again, go slowly.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Years ago I ran into the same problem with a old High Standard Model A target pistol. Some previous owner screwed up the original adjustable rear sight so bad it wouldn't work.

    I had a extra fixed rear sight from a Ruger Mark 1, that I filed down to match the non-standard dovetail on the High Standard.

    I would advise you to file on the base of the dovetail so it will fit the rifle. You don't want to alter the rifle from it's original condition, if at all possible. My 2?.

    I believe that Brownells sells special triangular files with ( 2 ) safe edges specifically for working on dovetails, if you do decide to alter the dovetail on the rifle.
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Check with Brownell's for the file you need, if you can't find it closer to home. Bottom is smooth, i.e. no teeth, so you shouldn't have a problem with the bottom of the slot, but like the man said, go very slow and be very careful. Depending on the condition of the gun, barrel especially, and following the rule of whenever possible working on the less expensive part, you may want to consider narrowing the dovetail on the sight rather than openning the one on the barrel. I believe you could use the same file either way.
    Good luck.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You have to have a triangle file but WITH ONE SAFE side YOU DO NOT WANT TO CUT down only front to back.
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