No.4 Mk.1* front sight missing

[CDB18]

I'm looking for some advice on a No.4 Mk.1* rifle I recently purchased. When the rifle arrived I noticed that the front sight blade is missing. The rifle was listed as in 'fair' condition and did not mention a missing sight in the description. I went back and looked at the photos and if I zoom, I can just notice the missing sight.

Is it reasonable to expect the store to do something about this or is this just one of the pitfalls of buying milsurps online?

Looking ahead, is there one size of sight I should start with or do I need the whole set to figure out the right height?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mk VII]

depending on which base it has you either need the ones with the solid dovetail or the ones with a sawcut in them.
It's impossible to forecast which size will work without some test results.

 

[CDB18]

depending on which base it has you either need the ones with the solid dovetail or the ones with a sawcut in them.
It's impossible to forecast which size will work without some test results.

It's a No.4 Mk.1* with the 'reverse' screw in the front. Is solid base the right type?

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Don't hassle the dealer. They can't be expected to know everything about every gun they sell, especially when every third one comes in so different from factory original.

The front sight blades come in various heights to compensate for subcontractor randomness and drawing tolerances.

 

[green]

It's a No.4 Mk.1* with the 'reverse' screw in the front. Is solid base the right type?

Yes solid base

 

[smellie]

You just order a front-sight blade, make up an installation tool from an old screwdriver and put the thing in.

To make the tool, you hacksaw off the screwdriver tip, leaving you just the shank. Then you put a saw-cut into the middle of that shank. Use a screwdriver with a 1/4-inch shank. Works fine. If you ar worried about the thing loosening off after you get it sighted-in, mark carefully where the sight blade was sitting, undo the screw, remove the blade. Put in a single drop of clear nail-polish where the blade was sitting, slip it back into plac. Anothr tiny drop onto the thrad of th holding-screw, realign the sight-blade, do everything up solid, It will NOT give you any grief.

ANY of the retailers should have sight blades: Trade-Ex, Marstar, Epps. Should be some in the EE in Milsurps - Parts.

Have fun!

 

[sunray]

Milsurps are usually sold in 'as is' condition. If the seller didn't say it was complete, you're toast. Fortunately, No. 4 sights aren't hard to find nor expensive.

 

[CDB18]

So I've got a couple sight blades coming...am I going to need a brass drift punch to slide it in?

 

[vinver]

So I've got a couple sight blades coming...am I going to need a brass drift punch to slide it in?

You have the slotted front sight block, so you loosen the special screw (make up a tool as detailed previously) then the sight should slip right in, then tighten the screw. You should ideally get the solid-base sights, but the slotted type will fit too.