What is "staking" a rear sight?

slsf1 · 02-07-2008, 05:34 PM

I'm likely going to have to install adjustable rear sights on my M1 carbine. I've heard about "staking" the rear sights. Could someone please explain in simple, plain english what this amounts to? Thank you.

jimb2 · 02-07-2008, 07:06 PM

Simply put, staking is a way to prevent the rear sight base from moving. If you have an adjustable rear sight handy, move the sight all the way to one side or the other. Look down at the base. You will notice small indents in the base. When the sight is installed into the dovetail, a pointed punch is used to strike a small crater into the dovetail next to one or more of those indents. That process moves a small amount of the metal in the dovtail into the indented area locking the sight in place. Most of us collectors prefer that if the dovetail doesn't already have stake marks ( which we often refer to as "craters") that you don't stake the rear sight. Many times the normal friction fit of the sight is sufficient to hold. But if it isn't, use locktite to hold the sight in place.

sunray · 02-17-2008, 09:12 PM

It's peening the edge of the sight dovetail to hole the sight in place. A pointed punch is put on the edge and gets whacked hard.

sexysete · 02-17-2008, 09:56 PM

nice spelling

Dookiebutt · 02-18-2008, 06:27 AM

What are you taking off the carbine? What sight is on it now? You would be committing a big error to take off an original flip sight and replace it with an adjustable sight IMHO.

slsf1 · 02-25-2008, 09:38 PM

Not to worry. My carbine is a new Auto Ordnance M1. Took the flip sight off and replaced it with a mil spec adjustable. This helped me get the rifle sighted for my eyes. Bought this weapon for a shooter...not a collector.

killer · 02-25-2008, 09:53 PM

02-07-2008, 05:34 PM	#1
slsf1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7	What is "staking" a rear sight? I'm likely going to have to install adjustable rear sights on my M1 carbine. I've heard about "staking" the rear sights. Could someone please explain in simple, plain english what this amounts to? Thank you.

02-07-2008, 07:06 PM	#2
jimb2 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 513	Simply put, staking is a way to prevent the rear sight base from moving. If you have an adjustable rear sight handy, move the sight all the way to one side or the other. Look down at the base. You will notice small indents in the base. When the sight is installed into the dovetail, a pointed punch is used to strike a small crater into the dovetail next to one or more of those indents. That process moves a small amount of the metal in the dovtail into the indented area locking the sight in place. Most of us collectors prefer that if the dovetail doesn't already have stake marks ( which we often refer to as "craters") that you don't stake the rear sight. Many times the normal friction fit of the sight is sufficient to hold. But if it isn't, use locktite to hold the sight in place. __________________ I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect...

02-25-2008, 09:53 PM	#7
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	__________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

02-17-2008, 09:12 PM	#3
sunray Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 98	It's peening the edge of the sight dovetail to hole the sight in place. A pointed punch is put on the edge and gets whacked hard.

02-17-2008, 09:56 PM	#4
sexysete Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 32	nice spelling

02-18-2008, 06:27 AM	#5
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	What are you taking off the carbine? What sight is on it now? You would be committing a big error to take off an original flip sight and replace it with an adjustable sight IMHO.

02-25-2008, 09:38 PM	#6
slsf1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7	Not to worry. My carbine is a new Auto Ordnance M1. Took the flip sight off and replaced it with a mil spec adjustable. This helped me get the rifle sighted for my eyes. Bought this weapon for a shooter...not a collector.