Swedish M38 loose front sight

[rf2]

I purchased a Swedish M38 a little while ago and finally got around to cleaning off the remaining cosmoline. Once I was finished and all excited about getting it to the range, I noticed that the front sight is very loose. I can easily push it from side to side with light finger pressure.
Is this a common problem, and is there some easy fix that I don't know about (besides bringing it to a gunsmith)?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[svt1940]

I purchased a Swedish M38 a little while ago and finally got around to cleaning off the remaining cosmoline. Once I was finished and all excited about getting it to the range, I noticed that the front sight is very loose. I can easily push it from side to side with light finger pressure.
Is this a common problem, and is there some easy fix that I don't know about (besides bringing it to a gunsmith)?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

I had to deal with that on my M96. Very easy to fix, remove the sight and peen the edges of the dovetail with a flat punch and a good hammer,the sight will be press fit again and never come loose anymore
Jocelyn

 

[mmattockx]

I had to deal with that on my M96. Very easy to fix, remove the sight and peen the edges of the dovetail with a flat punch and a good hammer,the sight will be press fit again and never come loose anymore
Jocelyn

Make that GENTLY peen the edges. It is easy to go too far with that, so take it easy and sneak up on it.


Mark

 

[cosmic]

Also, you can do the same thing with the sight blade...

 

[lejarretnoir]

Another way is to take a center punch and strike the base under the blade in one or two spots. This will raise the metal a little and provide a tighter fit.

If you're talking about the whole sight base moving then it's a simple matter of heating the sight and resoldering it with tin solder.

 

[rf2]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I knew you would come through. I will remove the sight blade and try to tighten up the dovetail with a punch and hammer. Hopefull that works so that I can get this gun to the range!