Sight is stuck, hex key set screw stripped, what now?

[sampson]

AHH, actually a proper sight will be slightly over sized and need to have material removed to make a proper fit in the dovetail, there by using no type of screw etc to hold the sight in place.
just FYI-- I think dawson precision makes sights for the PT1911 and pretty sure they have the tritium option.
hope this helps you.

I found this selection on their site. I cannot find tritium, I like their fiber optic sights though

[olfarhors]

I found this selection on their site. I cannot find tritium, I like their fiber optic sights though

Give them a call and ask if they can not make a sight for you--bet they will and the cost is not out of the world either.
I have bought several sights from them over the years and when talking to them direct they have been very accomidating.

[oso]

Dawson Precision is a very good co. someone always answers when you call, they are knowledgeable and accomadating.

[confused]

I too have suffered the dreaded Taurus PT1911 rear sight set screw failure. I was shooting full power 230 grain ammo and I couldn't keep the rear sight from dancing around. Like the others here when I tried to tighten it, I boogered up the set screw. (Evidently the guys who design these things don't bother to shoot them.) I managed to get the screw to back off enough to clear the pocket in the dovetail that the screw sits in. I don't want to mess with the set screw concept anymore. I would like to find a shim that would fit between the slide and sight. If I need to adjust it, I'll drift it over with a punch and hammer. Once adjusted I hope the damn thing nevers moves again. Any idea what thickness shim I'll need and where I can locate it? Thanks.

[olfarhors]

I too have suffered the dreaded Taurus PT1911 rear sight set screw failure. I was shooting full power 230 grain ammo and I couldn't keep the rear sight from dancing around. Like the others here when I tried to tighten it, I boogered up the set screw. (Evidently the guys who design these things don't bother to shoot them.) I managed to get the screw to back off enough to clear the pocket in the dovetail that the screw sits in. I don't want to mess with the set screw concept anymore. I would like to find a shim that would fit between the slide and sight. If I need to adjust it, I'll drift it over with a punch and hammer. Once adjusted I hope the damn thing nevers moves again. Any idea what thickness shim I'll need and where I can locate it? Thanks.

my suggestion is to go to an auto parts store and buy one of the old time feeler gauges.
that way you will have a multitude of thicknesses to choose from for a shim. and you will have a lifetime of extras for your, your friends, and others use should you need them.

[confused]

my suggestion is to go to an auto parts store and buy one of the old time feeler gauges.

Thank you, Sir! The shim that gave the best performance was .006. The rear sight is now so tight that I need a small nylon hammer to adjust it. I will test it and report back as to whether it stays in place under recoil with 230 grain boolits. Set screws be damned!

[MikeD489]

I took a cutoff wheel to mine cut through middle of set screw, until last little bit then used hacksaw,got my William's fire sight installed

[Dad1911]

Sampson, did you ever solve your rear sight issue?

[se3388]

Several years ago I took a couple sets of allen wrenches both metric and sae and cut them off to so I had a straight section about 1.5 inches long and put all of them in a small box and use them to find a tight fitting one to drive in a stripped allen screw and it usually works to get most stripped allen/set screws out. Some have to be drilled out.

Steve...……..

[Buzzsaw46]

my suggestion is to go to an auto parts store and buy one of the old time feeler gauges.

Thank you, Sir! The shim that gave the best performance was .006. The rear sight is now so tight that I need a small nylon hammer to adjust it. I will test it and report back as to whether it stays in place under recoil with 230 grain boolits. Set screws be damned!

Got tired of my rear sight dancing around and picked up a feeler gauge .005" seemed the best in my gun. Nice and snug, will report back after a few mags.