Installing a front sight

[Meeteetse]

I have a very accurate and fun to shoot Ruger Hawkeye Compact in .223. The rifle does not have iron sights and I wish it did. I have found a New England Custom sight that fits in one of the milled scope mount slots and works well on another rifle with a front sight.

I would like to mount a front sight on my rifle, probably a barrel band type sight. How difficult is this to do? Is it even reasonable? I don't want a cheap job but I don't want to spend a fortune on it either. I would appreciate any suggestions including a recommendation on a gunsmith. I don't think this is a DIY project, but I would like suggestions. Thanks

 

[BBBBill]

Brownells stocks NECG (New England Custom Guns) barrel band sight bases and sights. Bases have internal diameters from .551" (14mm) with top of barrel to bottom of dovetail .500", to .827" (21mm) with top of barrel to bottom of dovetail .362". Overall length of sight base is 3.3". Retail is $70, trade price is less. Compatible front sights are from .197" (5mm) thru .354 (9mm) in various configurations. Not all heights are available in all configurations thru Brownells, but NECG may be able to provide what you want directly. Retail price on the sights are $19 - $39 depending on specifics. Determining the sight height is critical. You must know the barrel diameter at the sight locations in order to select the correct sight or you risk not having enough vertical adjustment available at the rear sight. It is simple, but must be done exactly. Attachment of a band sight is typically done via soldering. I believe that a medium temp solder like Hi Force 44 would be more than sufficient for a .223 Rem. Done properly, it won't do much to your bluing, but will require some touchup. I think one of the epoxy type glues used for attaching shotgun ribs would probably work fine for that caliber, but I wouldn't try it on a 300 Win Mag!