Sights for a 1967 Colt Targetsman

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sniper401

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Severn, Ontario, Canada
Greetings Hive Mind!

I have a 1967 Colt Targetsman. I am finding out just how difficult it is to source a new dove tail sight for my pistol (the original Colt one is no good/not repairable). The original sight was adjustable for distance and windage, I am looking for a (preferably) a sight that has fiber optics. My local gun shop fitted a sight made for a 1911, but it shoots too high (I literally have to aim at the very bottom of the target to hit the bulls eye.) I was looking at Trujicon's on line but none of them are made for my pistol.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Sniper401
 
I assume you've checked Brownells (USA) and Western Gun Parts (CAN). Maybe others can chime in with ideas on where to look for out-of-production parts. There should be a Colt collector forum somewhere out there, perhaps populated by folks well-informed on this subject.

Here are some other options:

The pistol sights might work perfectly with a different kind of ammunition (low velocity, perhaps?).

Modify the "shoots too high" rear sight by removing material from the bottom of the notch.

Conversely, you can fit a taller front sight. Apparently, a surprisingly effective "bubba" solution is to krazy glue a cut piece of a black zip tie onto the top of the existing front post.

Get dimensions of the dovetail cut and height of the rear notch, and start shopping around with that info. If you can't find a part to fit off the shelf, you can have a machine shop make one for you. Relatively costly, but it's an option.

Good luck!
 
If one sight is changed , it has to be the same height as the original or it will shoot different, any gunsmith should know this , You will have to make the front sight match the rear one.
Colt parts are scares in Ca, but what was wrong with the old one , most things can be fixed, if it is there.
 
I think "modifying" the rear sight will not help, as I have found that "bubba" fixes are not always a good permanent solution. You are right tho and I need to get off my ass and properly measure the dovetail and go shopping. I am leery of changing too much on this gun as I want to keep it as "original" as possible! But at the same time I want a gun I can shoot (not just look at). the front sight is welded/pressed into the barrel and once again I am afraid to replace it and damage the "value" of the piece. At least with the rear sight it is just the dove tail.

Thanks for your suggestion's!

Sniper401
 
The old one would not hold "zero". and I lost one of the tiny springs that made it work (I'm an idiot). You are correct sir in that yes the front sight also needs changing, however I am trying to keep it as original as possible, but make it a solid shooter at the same time. I may have to look into getting the front sight ground off (it is either pressed or welded in) and a dove tail cut in assuming there is enough material to do so. This is a 67' with a round barrel, not the solid frame of the later models.

Thank you for your reply!
 
If it is not broke, and just would not hold zero, likely if memory is not too fuzzy, the rear sights on most colts where much the same, there is small springs with indentstuds (balls?) in there.
missing them and the screw would be free to turn.
I have got sight pieces for Hi Standard target pistols from Bownell's, for them, but have not worked on colt sights for a long time.
But if you have changed the rear, you may as well stay with it.
What I would do is with a fine file, clean off the blue on the top of the front sight blade and just solder on a piece of iron or brass of whatever hight you need, start high and shoot it off a bag, and file it down till it is where you want it, then blend it into the original sight, then clean with brake cleaner and touch up with cold blue.
I would never mess around cutting dovetails.
If you wanted fiber front as well, get a fine rod, brill a hole in the piece you are going to use and shape it with files to the fiber rod, you would need a drill press for that.
And keep the original rear sight , even with out the springs, still $$$$
Marshall
 
Thanks for the advice! I did keep the old sight (I never throw those kind of things out) I am leery of ordering from Brownell's due to the stupid export licence. I can use "I run guns" but now will have to pay a surcharge for their service (cost of doing business). The thing is I just did not like the OEM sights, and I'm hoping to find something that is close enough that all I have to do is shave/file the dovetail on the sight to fit. This is what the gunny did to fit the 1911 sight to the gun. Apparently the dovetail on this gun is no longer standard and is in most cases too small!

The search continues!
 
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