So I was strolling down the isle at the Tulsa show over the weekend and noticed a couple custom rifles on a table so stopped for a closer look. Was surprised to see this front sight on one of them. Don't think I have ever seen one before, and I find one a week after someone posts about it on the forum. What are the odds. Anyway, here are a few pics. Not sure how much help they will be. I will say the front sight blade is very hard to raise or lower. Not sure if it is by design or due to dried oil in the slot, but it was a two thumb job to press the tab hard enough to elevate the sight. Lowering was easier due having better mechanical advantage on the blade. It was certainly not what I would call snappy.
John
John, When you say it was "very hard to raise", was that all the way from start to completely erect or was it hard to start and then at some point there was a more or less snap to the erect position? This may help understand what kind of detent or spring holds the blade in position.
I think Tom used a stepped pin and it was most likely a press fit of some kind. That design has 2 issues IMO, first as I mentioned above the machining of the base requires a special ground cutter or use of a wire EDM. The cutter is fine if you intend to make multiple copies, in my case it would be just one copy if at all. Second, disassemble of a press fit pin has its own set of issues and wear would soon cause fit issues. (but of course it may never need to be disassembled) I think my design has some improvements in this area. BTW, my design takes full advantage the Tom's hard ground breaking design work and I fully acknowledge I am using that prior work, however that in itself is the nature of engineering. After all, Mr. Boeing (if there is or was one, with his 747 did indirectly steal Orville and Wilbur's ground breaking engineering/design work.
)
