dovetail front sight question

rebelboy1985 · 04-12-2008, 01:38 AM

hey guys, i picked up a remington 33 last weekend for my girlfriend(it's her first gun) and someone had filed the front sight so i ordered a replacement lyman front sight. my question is how do i change it? is it as easy as just tapping it out with a punch and hammer? thanks in advance

Fatstrat · 04-13-2008, 09:24 AM

Well the answer is: Yes and No.
1st. Remember that dovetail sights generally are made to install/be removed from the right side of the barrel. And it is best to use a brass or nylon punch so as not to marr the barrel or sight.
2nd: Some minor fitting is often required. Even if correct size. It's best to fit the sight to the rifle and not the rifle to the sight. But you can do either. There are some "tricks" that can be employed depending on situation.
For example: If the slot is slightly too wide, you can tighten it (w/sight in place) by making a dimple along the edges w/a center punch.
If you need to widen the slot, it's best to buy a Dovetail file (smooth on one side).
3rd: Many older Rimfire rifle, which I believe the M-33 may be one, used a smaller dovetail than the now standard 3/8". So you may find you have ALOT of fitting to do if your replacement is 3/8". Not a job for the impatient.
I replaced the front on my 33 recently w/one off an older 500 series. (510/511/512). Required only minor fitting. 20 minute job.

rebelboy1985 · 04-14-2008, 12:59 AM

thanks fatstrat. got it swapped and sighter today. not nearly as big of a deal as i'd thought.

04-12-2008, 01:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
rebelboy1985 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 27	dovetail front sight question hey guys, i picked up a remington 33 last weekend for my girlfriend(it's her first gun) and someone had filed the front sight so i ordered a replacement lyman front sight. my question is how do i change it? is it as easy as just tapping it out with a punch and hammer? thanks in advance

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04-13-2008, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fatstrat Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 73	Well the answer is: Yes and No. 1st. Remember that dovetail sights generally are made to install/be removed from the right side of the barrel. And it is best to use a brass or nylon punch so as not to marr the barrel or sight. 2nd: Some minor fitting is often required. Even if correct size. It's best to fit the sight to the rifle and not the rifle to the sight. But you can do either. There are some "tricks" that can be employed depending on situation. For example: If the slot is slightly too wide, you can tighten it (w/sight in place) by making a dimple along the edges w/a center punch. If you need to widen the slot, it's best to buy a Dovetail file (smooth on one side). 3rd: Many older Rimfire rifle, which I believe the M-33 may be one, used a smaller dovetail than the now standard 3/8". So you may find you have ALOT of fitting to do if your replacement is 3/8". Not a job for the impatient. I replaced the front on my 33 recently w/one off an older 500 series. (510/511/512). Required only minor fitting. 20 minute job.

04-14-2008, 12:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
rebelboy1985 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 27	thanks fatstrat. got it swapped and sighter today. not nearly as big of a deal as i'd thought.