Replacing the FO rod on front sight?

[Otto N Sure]

Howdy!

It appears that the green fiber optic rod on my front sight has got a crack in it, not broken, but it's not gathering light like it should.  Two questions, is it difficult to replace the FO rod and where would I get  a replacement? (also can the rod be replaced on the pistol or would I have to remove it first?)

Thanks for any help.

Otto

[krehmkej]

Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mx2Hg06Q4Y

[Otto N Sure]

Excellent "how to". I don't have a Dawson so will this technique work on all FO sights? And where can I get the FO rods? (do they come in different sizes? How would I know what size to get?)

Otto

[IDescribe]

How would I know what size to get?

A good start would be letting people know what gun you have. 

[larryflew]

Assuming CZ they can be either 1 or 1.5 millimeter.  Once you know that send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll send you a 3 inch.

[1SOW]

ON THE PISTOL.
My method that works very well for me:  If you don't have Dawson's with the captured sight end,  just take a 6" piece of rod and heat one end from the "side" by moving a bic lighter slower closer while twirling the rod back and forth between thumb and two fingers.  When the ball that's formed gets to the size you prefer,  cut the rod off about 1/16" longer than the sight and insert the cut end into the rear of the sight until the ball makes contact.  Then, heat the muzzle end until it deforms.  Done.

With only a little practice the ball can be formed very uniformly at any diameter you like/prefer.  If you polish the exposed sight groove under the rod,  it gathers light especially well.

JMO

Added:  I carry a BIC lighter and preformed and cut FO rods in my range bag.  The one time mine fell out,  it was amazing how the eye will clearly see that 1mm hole in the front FO sight.  True story.

[Otto N Sure]

Thanks fellas! The FO front sight is on my polished stainless steel CZ75B. I guess I need to get the micrometer out, if I can find it, to measure the diameter.

Otto