Replace front sight

[fullertc]

I purchased a .69 Armi Sport '42 musket converted to a Macon. The converted brass front sight had been filed down too much to the dissatisfaction of the IGs. How do I remove the old brass sight and affix a new one? Thank you.

[Greg Ogdan, 11444]

Easiest way, throw money at it! Just replace the front band. If you try to solder on something, SAC will still probably not allow it as the rules basically say "no modifications" to the as issued sights.

[Wayne Shaw, 1985V]

The orginal Armisport front sight was part of the band and in steel. Yours has been replaced with a brass sight (I would think sodered on) SO un soder the too short front sight, make a new replacement sight from brass and soder back on band where the old one was. The sight should be radiused as the orginal and have a maximum height of .125 inch. That should keep everyone happy. New front bands are a little costly and in this case a unessary expence.
Hope this helps. Wayne Shaw Member SAC & Harlans Light Cav 1985V

[fullertc]

Thanks for the replies. It's my understanding that the "original" Armi Sports cast sights were "cocked" to the left of the line-of-sight so it was permissible to remove that steel sight and replace it w/ a brass one in the same configuration and height. If I'm mistaken, please advise. Thank you.

[Wayne Shaw, 1985V]

Tom Every Armisport front band/sight I have inspected was cocked to the left.
Many have in the quest to be correct and proper have replaced there cocked steel front sight with a brass replacement. That keeps the people on both sides of the asile happy! In my opion I see nothing incorrect with this as long the contour and height and location remain correct. Wayne Shaw SAC, Harlans Light Cav 1985V

[S Myers]

Tom,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately your only option in this instance is to replace the front band. Rule 14.9.1(l) states: "Notwithstanding the above provisions, no modifications of any sort may be made to the original as-issued dimensions, form, nature, or location of any sights affixed to a smoothbore musket to be used in any smoothbore
competition." This includes reproductions.

Section 14.9.1 deals specifically with alterations of sights for the various types of firearms. Smoothbore has always been held to be as close to an "as issued" competition as possible, hence the prohibition on sight alteration.

Please feel free to email either John Holland, the Small Arms Committee Chairman, or me with any further questions or concerns. Good luck!

Sherry Myers 08339V
National Inspector General

[fullertc]

Thank you for the replies. I suppose if I want it to look right, I locate/purchase an original Springfield nose piece (Rotsa Ruck!) Question is, if these Armi Sport front sights were "cocked", how did it ever get past the initial approval inspection? How far cocked did it have to be to be deemed incorrect? What if the 1861 Italian/Japanese repos came with a cocked soldered front sight, would "alteration" to centering it be allowed?
I would agree that altering a '42 SB sight by cocking it one way or the other to improve its sighting would be inappropriate, but to correct it cosmetically by centering to look like the originals should not. Thank you for listening (reading!)

[jim14th]

check this site under Armi Sport .They offer a replacement "correct front band"? with the brass blade

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg3.htm

[kowdok]

Next logical question, will this replacement nose cap be acceptable to the SAC?

[R. McAuley 3014V]

It wouldn't matter to me if the ArmiSport front sight blade was made of gold, I don't use it for sighting-- my ArmiSport '42 shoots so low, I use the whole muzzle end to essentially "blot out" the target I want to hit. Works like a charm!