Gunsmith screws up dovetail

[Arminius]

Had a gunsmith install a different front sight in a 16" Rossi. Millett broad, orange front sight.

Was not happy, as the front sight was too tall.

Tapped it out; it went out MUCH too easily!

Tried to use two other front sights, one Millett ( only lower ) and one fire sight.

Both "fell" through the dovetail! Inserted them, with gun slightly canted, and both would slip through the dovetail!?

I already informed the gunsmith per mail.

What should be done and what CAN be done to save my rifle??

Thanks in advance, Hermann

[zoner]

i believe the Rossi M92 has a oversize front dovetail so standard dovetail sights will be loose. Contact Steve Jones at stevesgunz....he's the M92 expert and has sights wthe oversize dovetail for sale/

[jnyork]

I have seen this problem resolved by taking a center punch and raising a few divots on the flat (bottom) of the dovetail. If the divots are raised far enough, the sight will go in quite snugly. I know, it sounds pretty shadetree but works just fine.

[Ray]

Deleted.

[GunnyMack]

You could also try some loctite but this probably won't work as well. Could also try to peen the dovetail to tighten it up. I suppose you could even try some shim stock between the barrel and bottom of sight.
I suspect the sights from Rossi are metric!

[Pisgah]

I suspect the sights from Rossi are metric!

Bingo. The problem is not the dovetail; it's the sight. You need larger-based sights for metric dovetails.

[Bruce Scott]

I suspect the sights from Rossi are metric!

Bingo. The problem is not the dovetail; it's the sight. You need larger-based sights for metric dovetails.

Skinner has a sight that will fit:

"We offer a replacement front sight sized to fit the oversize Rossi dovetail which is tall enough to be trimmed to the exact height needed for your rifle."

http://www.skinnersights.com/rossi_firearms_23.html

[Pete44ru]

.

I just press the EASY button, and slide a BCS (beer can shim), cut to size, into the bottom of the dovetail slot at the same time I slide the sight blade in.


If a part of the shim shows after the install, I simply camo it with a black SHARPIE marker.


.

[Ray]

Deleted.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I suspect the sights from Rossi are metric!

Bingo. The problem is not the dovetail; it's the sight. You need larger-based sights for metric dovetails.

Exactly ..... +1

[AJMD429]

.

I just press the EASY button, and slide a BCS (beer can shim), cut to size) into the bottom of the dovetail slot at the same time I slide the sight blade in.


If a part of the shim shows after the install, I simply camo it with a black SHARPIE marker.


.

Same Here......

[Griff]

I have seen this problem resolved by taking a center punch and raising a few divots on the flat (bottom) of the dovetail. If the divots are raised far enough, the sight will go in quite snugly. I know, it sounds pretty shadetree but works just fine.

NO, NO, NO! peen the BOTTOM of the new sight! Far less expensive than a new barrel if you peen too much.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

The early Rossi's up to about 2000 did have over-sized rear dovetails, about .400". The front sights were mounted on the barrel band, not the barrel.

To the op. Probably not the gunsmiths fault.

The current Rossi's have standard 3/8X60 degree dovetail cuts but they don't spend a lot of time fitting the new sights. To get a really perfect fit you have to be the first person to install a sight in a new dovetail. Unfortunately that person would be the Rossi guy that installed the factory front sight. If the sights are too big that’s easy. Just remove some metal from the bottom of the sight. This narrows the sight base some so that it’s not so tight in the dovetail cut in the barrel.

If the dovetail cut in the barrel is too big that’s because Rossi just hammered the Rossi sights in and swedged the dovetails out. Look at the dovetail from the side and you will see the metal is pushed up.
Now, you need to do some gunsmithing to grow some metal. Start by pushing the tops of the dovetail down with a flat face punch and hammer, hammering gently work across the dovetail . The new sight will usually cover these marks. Stippling the bottom of the sight works too, but worst case you may need to shim under the new sight. Whatever you do, as Griff said, resist the urge to stipple the bottom of the dovetail in the barrel if it's a big bore like a 44 or 45 cal. If you get carried away you can damage the bore.

On a side note, I've seen Rossi's that had tight spots in the bore because Rossi forced the poorly fitted sights in.