Front sight problem

[Pyno&dyno]

I just bought a Winchester P17, have a problem with the front sight, as you can see from the photo , is not vertical, what's your suggestion,is there a solution without removing the barrel?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Barrel isn't at top. That is, not tight enough. Either loose or not fitted correctly. If you don't have a barrel vise a gunsmith would be required. PM to Chuckindenver and he can give you the poop.

[Chuckindenver]

yup,
out of index. or not tight enough in red neck terms...
someone didnt eat enough Flintstones that morning, lol.
however, not really fixable without removing the barrel, and re tightening..
your a little far away, or id say send it to me,, i fix em all the time.

[krinko]

Here's what I do---and it doesn't take very expensive tools.

Your sight tower leans to the right, soooooo----
1.Drive out the retaining pin in the tower and tap the front sight base off the front of the barrel.
2.Make sure the key remains tight in it's slot on the barrel and gently mark the key on the right hand side, at the barrel line----I use a diamond scribe from the hardware store, but any pointy object will do.
3.Remove the key and file a little metal off, above the scribe line---use a small file and go slow. If the key won't come out, you must tape the barrel and file in place. Use tiny jeweler's files in this case.
4.Trial fit often---put everything back on the barrel except the retaining pin and check for plumb. It does not take much removal at the key to swing the top of the tower into line!
5.When the trial fit is right, there will be a gap in the tower keyway on the left side as viewed from firing position. File a bit of brass stock to fill this gap. including a starter slot for the retaining pin.
6.The slot in the key for the retaining pin will now be out of line with the pinholes in the tower. Use a round jeweler's file to true this up. I make the final fit with the tower in place, slowly running the file in until I see a round light, showing the hole is true. File only the key and brass shim, do not enlarge the pinholes in the tower.
7.Drive in the retaining pin and you're done.
-----krinko

[Chuckindenver]

well,
think about this,,,the barrel isnt screwed in far enough,,why not do it right?
its not that hard, a lot more work would go into what you said, then.
setting the rifle up in a barrel vise, backing the receiver out, and re indexing. and it would be done right, id bet the extractor hangs up on the edge of the extractor cut as well, how does one fix that??

[Aragorn243]

Probably a stupid question but if it isn't tight enough, why do you have to remove the barrel, why not just tighten it another partial turn if that's what's needed.

[browningautorifle]

You have to examine it to see where you are in the first place. Chuck's right.

[Calif-Steve]

Ship this thing off to Chuckindenver. He did my '17 and did it right.

[Chuckindenver]

Ship this thing off to Chuckindenver. He did my '17 and did it right.

thanks,however the OP is in Italy..that gets a little sticky..

[slamfire1]

I just bought a Winchester P17, have a problem with the front sight, as you can see from the photo , is not vertical, what's your suggestion,is there a solution without removing the barrel?

I would caution you against tightening the barrel without determining if the barrel is in fact torqued to the correct tighteness. And what your headspace is. If you have a minimum headspace rifle, you could go below "Go".

I don't have my P17 barrel in front of me. I don't remember if the front sight base had a key slot or not. If so, you may be able to cut another slot and rekey the thing.

Before I did anything I would have someone examine the rifle for headspace and determine if the extractor groove is positioned to allow the barrel to be turned a little more.

Recutting the cone and cutting an extractor groove is a pain. If the barrel needs to be replaced see if you can get one of those CMP Criterion barrels. These barrels are better than any military barrel every installed on a P17.