Can this install be saved??

[Shimitup]

It's common for the break to happen when the point is starting to punch through, have you tried punching back from the other side yet?

 

[Stevel]

I like the "heat the barrel" option. Choice 1 through shooting a couple of rounds, secondly a heat source on the off side.

 

[perklo]

Well I put this project aside, thought it over and ordered a few items to fix my mistake.

I ordered multi packs of high grade 3/64" and 1/16" drill bits and a specialty 1 mm punch from South Korea. Also a six pack of assorted precision tweezers.

Once I had these items, I took a Grace 1/16" starter punch and whacked the sight blade through the side opposite from the broken bit. Then I used one of the new tweezers to grip and rotate the broken bit a quarter turn out before it bound up again.

I flipped it back over and drilled one of the 3/64" bits into the 1/16" hole. I broke that one but being smaller than the hole it fell right out. A second 3/64" bit broke through to the other side. I used the tiny 1 mm punch and easily knocked out the broken bit through the opening.

A new 1/16" bit cleanly finished the hole in the tritium blade and the original roll pin secured it well. Some Black Max 380 Loctite filled the little gap in the front of the sight and barrel.

*WHEW*!!

 

[The Glockodile]

Whew!!!

 

[FROGO207]

I like it when a plan comes together. I have always found thinking things through and going slowly when I have to usually win the race. Thanks for the update.

 

[perklo]

Yeah, Frog, I have learned the folly of "panic" gunsmithing lol. Now that I'm older and - maybe - a bit wiser I often walk away from a project and try to figure out another plan of attack.

I have the luxury of being a hobby gunsmith, not a working one. No one starves if I don't turn projects around in a timely manner!