Dovetailing for the Advantage Tactical Sight

[4V50 Gary]

So a neighbor asked me to cut a dovetail. OK, been there, done that before. However, I never did one for an Advtange Tactical Sight.

Howly cows. Now dimensions and schematic was provided. So I called them and asked and they emailed me numbers. The only thing useful I got from the instructions was to use a 60 degree and not a 65 degree dovetail. Anyway, you have to mill a lot off the area behind where the original rear sight was to provide clearance for the rear sight. The dovetail cutter had to be moved back until the dovetail was big enough for it (.470). Can't have overhang with the slide.

Now that dovetail is big enough so that the sight can be pushed in halfway (will have to use a punch to drive it home), I have to refinish the slide and blue it to protect the machined surfaces.

I wish they had a drawing with dimensions as it would have made it a lot easier.

 

[g.willikers]

You're very generous and accommodating with your neighbors.
With all the available sights out there, wouldn't it have been sensible to find one to fit the existing slide?
I've finally arrived to the point of just saying no to other folks' ill thought out notions.
Hope you at least charged him enough to make him think twice the next time he comes up with a hard work idea.

 

[Scorch]

In addition to the sight you installed, Kimber, Novak, Heinie, Ed Brown and several others require milling the slide to mount their sights. Yes, those companies sell sights that fit the factory dovetails, but if you want their specialty design (and many people really, really do!), then you go along with the program. If you don't want to mill the slide, then don't.