Mossberg ghost rings front sight - INSTALLED with bubblegum!

[smittty]

After searching high and low for an alternate to silver brazing I came up with my own solution. I tested silver brazing on a scrape and it destroys the finish and I wanted to avoid needing to refinish the barrel. I asked a gunsmith and he said he wasn't good at brazing and couldn't offer a solution. I almost thought it couldn't be done until I found some fine thread metric screws.

I used M3 x 12 mm screws and some high strength/high heat epoxy. Take a look.

[IMG][/IMG]

[kilrain]

Very cool and nicely done. I looks really sharp.

[DBADRAT]

Looks good , what was the problem with factory setup?

[smittty]

Very cool and nicely done. I looks really sharp.

Thanks. This project took some thought so I'm really pleased it turned out. Mossberg uses 5-40 thread on the bread sight which isn't an off-the-shelf size. M3 screws are a bit easier to find and they are about the same dia as the #5.

I read a lot of posts about guys wanting to install the mossberg ghost ring sights but brazing isn't an easy option so this solution should be promising to those who want to install the Mossberg ghost ring sights.

The factory bead hole just needed to be retapped to fit the M3 screw and the 2nd hole was easy once the first screw was done. The rest of the procedure should be self explanotory by studying the photo.

[smittty]

Looks good , what was the problem with factory setup?

The barrel came with a bead sight and I wanted the factory ghost ring sights which are only available on the M590A1.

[Bainter1212]

Looks awesome. Yes brazing will destroy the finish and affect heat treatment in certain areas. The install you did looks like a great alternative.

[agent88]

I like it... I can't believe no one offers a ghost ring suitable easy install front sight for the 500.

How did you counter sink the holes on the front sight?

Did you file/fit the front screws for length?

What epoxy and what color did you use?

[smittty]

I like it... I can't believe no one offers a ghost ring suitable easy install front sight for the 500.

How did you counter sink the holes on the front sight?

Did you file/fit the front screws for length?

What epoxy and what color did you use?

I used my drill press and a drill bit to countersink. The screws were 12mm long and turned out to be a perfect fit. I had one burr inside the barrel that I reached with a needle file.

If you are installing this sight on a 590A1 then get the next length longer and cut it to fit. The barrel wall is thicker so you might as well get a few more threads to lock it in.

The sight blade needed to be fit in the dovetail. I filed the bottom of the blade and the top of the base carefully until I could get the blade to just start to fit. The screw heads need to be countersunk deep enough so the blade can slide in. Then after I screwed and epoxied the base I used a vise to press the blade it. I was very carefull to not torque the base.

The epoxy is gray after mixed. It's 4 min metal epoxy that I bought from the auto parts store. It's strength and temp rating was the highest I could find and I searched hard before settling.
This is the stuff,

http://www.permatex.com/products/product-categories/adhesives-sealants/epoxies/permatex--permapoxy--4-minute-multi-metal-epoxy-detail

From what I read about other people's install the epoxy alone is not enough but I believe with two screws threaded the full thickness of the barrel should be permanent. The epoxy is probably not necessary but I figured I bought it so I might as well do it twice as good!

I "dwelled" on it for about a week before I had time to actually do it. I thought about everything right down to the size of the head, how I was going to counter sink it, tap it, etc. if I wouldn't have found those M3 screws I don't think it would have worked as well. They are stainless but I'll paint then black in the future.

I hope other people can use what I learned and do this themselves. These sights are really easy to see quickly and I feel it's a worthwhile improvement. If you can find the M590A1 #51517 I'd probably buy that instead of building one like I did but the one benefit of mine is that it's a full 1/2 lb lighter.

[CWDraco]

Awesome job. Thank you for working this out. I may do this in the future.

[Bobakman]

First off a thanks to Smitty for pioneering this workable solution to the Mossberg ghost ring front sight installation IT WORKS! And I have replicated it on a 590A1. I was able to get the 5-40 screws so I only had to drill and tap the rear location. I used a #39 tap drill rather than the standard #38 for a closer tolerance thread fit. For the thinner standard 500 barrels it is probably a good idea to do so.
I would recommend that this thread be made a "sticky" if you folks do that sort of thing on this forum.
The parts list from Fastenal is below this does not include the 82 Degree Counter Sink that you will also need.

#5-40 x 5/8" Black Oxide Finish Flat Socket Cap Screw
SKU: 24172
5-40 NC HSS 3 Flute Bright Finish H2, Taper Hand Tap
SKU: 7003701
#39 HSS 118[DEG] TiN Finish Jobber Drill
SKU: 7005284

[B13SER]

Oh Em Gee! Thank you sir for this! Me and my 590A1 with bead sight thank you!!!

[smittty]

Beautiful machining work! I'm glad you guys found this useful.

[bellwilliam]

so how do I do the 82 Degree Counter Sink ?

[Bobakman]

Remember do this at your own risk and only if you have the correct tools and ability to do so. If you make an error it is almost impossible to recover and make things better. It takes more time setting up the job than it does to actually drill tap and countersink. The set up is key to a true and correct installation.

They have the countersink bits at Fastenal as well get the HSS one carbide is more expensive a 1/2" one should work keep it oiled as you cut it will last longer, and you will get a smoother cut, mine was a 5/8" I already had it in my tool box. Make small cuts and then try the screw to see if it is flush if it is not carefully cut a little and try the screw for fit again if you remove too much metal the screw may sit too deep a little recessed is OK but you do not want to cut too far.
I marked and drilled (using a drill press and drill press vise) the 1/8" clearance holes from the BOTTOM of the sight base. You have to go through the thin recessed area at the front and rear, take your time to insure that you are dead on, there is little to no room for error. If your off the countersink area will not be within the bounds of the edges of the top of the front sight base and that would not be good.After the holes are made you can countersink as described above.
You will have to set your barrel removed from receiver also in the drill press vise using a machinists or high quality small bubble level to insure it is true and level for drilling the rear hole that will be later threaded 5-40, again taking your time setting up and then marking the location using the already drilled front sight base screwed in with the existing front threaded hole using one of the screws. A 1/8" transfer punch is helpful for center punching the rear hole location through the rear front sight base hole.

Bob

[Bobakman]

Beautiful machining work! I'm glad you guys found this useful.

Smitty, if it were not for you this would not have been possible thanks again for
Sharing and inspiring!

Bob