Sticking Competition Sights In Place

[Tangram 37]

The CZ-USA Competition Rear Sight came loose on my CZ 85 Combat.  It is actual slide side to side in the dovetail an 1/8 of an inch plus with gentle finger pressure.

Beside Loctite what are other good ways to secure this wandering sight?  I have thought of using a center punch to raise a little bump.  

Is it normal when the set screw is backed out to have side to side play?  (basically touch it with one finger to pust it over.

Should the sight be slid into the dovetail from one side or the other?

Thanks

[angus hobdell]

Best way is to create a dimpl in the slide under the hex screw when the sight are in the correct place, or do like the factory center punch a spot in the middle onece the sight is in the correct place. You can use pentrating loctite also but I suggest the dimple in the slide. Also sounds like the screw id not down far enough did the hex screw strip?
PS Looking from th bact to the front i remove sight Left to Rogh and replace right to left. I think someone told me to do that in the dim and distnat past and I just continued to do so.

[Tangram 37]

Thanks for the reply.  The threads on the locking screw are ok.  I'll see if I can find a center punch that will just slide down the hole in the sight and punch it that way.  If I take care not to mess the sights threads up I think that might work.  

Any comments?

[Walt-Sherrill]

Use te center punch to dimple a number of areas on the bottom of the dovetail.  Not just where the set screw is likely to hit.  (Doing it exactly THERE might be counter productive, rather than helpful.)

Each time you make a dimple, the surrounding area is raised a bit.  Whether its raised enough in the precise location you're hoping to change is a different point.  

Dimpling a number of areas will have the effect of raising the bottom of the dovetail, which should tighten the sight in the dovetail.

[Eager]

I have done it the way Walt describes putting mulitiple dimples in the bottom of the dovetail or "peening" it to raise metal and give it a tighter fit because my rear sight (a Novak on a Springfield 1911) was really loose.  I then went to the range with the medium hold loctite and a bench rest.   I shot while moving the sights to fins zero then marked the sight and frame wih pencil and removed the sight.  I then installed loctite in the dovetail, put the sight back, re-checked zero while loctite was still wet, and adjusted if nec.  Once I had sights perfectly positioned, I added a drop of loctite to the set screw hole, tightened the screw, rechecked zero, then let it dry.  

Based on my internet searches before I did this, I concluded that this was the recommended procedure for many.

[Eager]

Tangram 37,

Which front sight (fiber optic or steel and what height) did you get for your -85 Combat to go with the CZ-USA Competition rear sight that Angus sells?  How do you like it?  Does it shoot to POA?  

I've got an -85 Combat as well I've used for USPSA Production for a year with the stock (adjustable) three-dot sights and I'd like to try the CZ-USA competition sights.  

I think I'd like to get both an FO front as well as the steel front and experiment with both to see which works better for me.  

Advice from others welcome as well.

[Tangram 37]

Let's see

I got the Competition sights from Angus.  For the 85s l I got the solid blade on one and fiber optic on the other.  (Trying to resolve the perenial question of which I like better. I am leaning toward the fiber optic.)  

One thing of note is that the solid blade is noticeably thinner than the fiber optic, more light comes around the  the sides.  Normally I'd say I like that but the bright fiber optic wins with my eyes.  

However, the solid blade never breaks or is dulled from exposue to cleaner.  I have lost fiber optic tubes in the middle of a stage... the sights works anyway but...

Before getting the competion sights I put an Angus fiber optic on one pistol with the standard adjustable rear.  All I can say about that experiment is that combination worked fine too.  

I just started handloading.  The stock rear adjustables might have an advantage as I experiment with loads.  The front Angus sight comes in a couple precut heights.  The solid blade also has a version that you can cut down to your prefered height.  I'll know in six month or so whether I care or not.

I do prefer the competition rear sight and fiber optic front. They more or less hit where I point.  I think it is more a question of my pointing than the sights.  Without any great rush I will eventually replace the solid front with a fiber optic.  

If you hear a preference not a ringing endorsement as the greatest sight ever for fiber optic you got it right.  I suspect if I could fit a gold bead on the solid front blade I might have ....  another experiment.

...parting shot.  I believe in consuming large amounts of ammo, having fun, and endorsing CZ rubber grips with grip tape on the front and back straps.  (Grip tape in my case is some left over anti slip tape for steps.)  I plan to learn how to rapidly point this device at targets until it goes bang.  (apologies to Brian Enos)

[reltor]

I have also used pieces of a feeler gauge and shimmed sights.  

It takes some messing around to get the shim stock in the right place, but once there seems pretty tight.  Then I use green loctite over the whole sight area.  I've not had any come loose and If they do I could always peen.  Just me, but I just shudder at peening my slide.

[Walt-Sherrill]

Left to right out, and vice versa is correct.  If you try it otherwise you can do ugly things to your sights.  

(Don't ask me how I know.)

[kinsco276]

Great idea, never tried that before, will next time though.

[HankC1]

"Left to right out, and vice versa is correct. If you try it otherwise you can do ugly things to your sights. "

I have no experience removing one myself, but the picture of LPA rear sight at CZ_USA store showing removing the rear sight by drifting it out from RIGHT to LEFT and install from LEFT to RIGHT. You can click the picture to enlarge and see pictures of  removal/installation instructions.

/id305.securedata.net/cz-...ucts_id=55

[angus hobdell]

I always go (from the rear looking forward)
Left to right out
right to left in

[StoneHorse]

Re: Sticking Competition Sights In Place  I always go (from the rear looking forward)
Left to right out
right to left in

Angus Duhh!
www.ghostholster.com

Ok I am confused. When I look at my sight from the rear of the slide, I can distinctly see 'drag marks' on the right side of the sight. I think the sight must have been installed left to right. Would it not make sense to remove the sight right to left?

[Walt-Sherrill]

Just because the marks are there doesn't mean they SHOULD be there.

The dovetail is slightly tapered.

Do what you think is best.

[StoneHorse]

Since I have never removed the rear sight, I will follow the instructions from the experts. Left to right out. Right to left in.