View Full Version : Shotgun Bead sight replacement
Gents, I am looking at replacing the bead sight for my neighbor on an old Stevens model 107B single shot 12 gauge. The issue is that it looks like a 3-56 thread, .125" shank bead will not thread in there. The hole is just a tad too big.
I see that on Brownells, they have a kit that has a 6-48 thread bead sight with the bit, tap and sight all in one. It does not have a diameter of the bead sights that are included, however it comes with a #32 drill bit which if I am not mistaken is just under 1/8". So this product looks good on paper, just wanted to get some feedback from you guys who may know more about this type of operation than myself.
http://www.brownells.com/shotgun-parts/sights/sight-parts/sight-refill-kits/6-48-brownells-sight-kit-sku078021048-338-1591.aspx?mc_id=50000
craigepo
01-13-2014, 21:53
I think they have a correct fit from Midway USA.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/569523/williams-shotgun-front-bead-sight-130-diameter-3-56-thread-125-shank-gold
I assume he is just wanting to refurbish the gun. I kind of like the true glow-type beads for hunting situations.
I think they have a correct fit from Midway USA.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/569523/williams-shotgun-front-bead-sight-130-diameter-3-56-thread-125-shank-gold
I assume he is just wanting to refurbish the gun. I kind of like the true glow-type beads for hunting situations.
Yeah, He wants to keep it stock.
I was hoping to find something like that brownells convenience kit that comes with everything so that I could tap it. As the hole has already been drilled out with a larger bit. I tried to insert a 7/64 bit into the hole and it wouldn't fit. So that does tell me that anything that comes with a #32 bit to drill it out with should work.
Am I tracking, or way off?
If the kit won't work would he be satisfied with the stock bead ground down to the base of the bead and then brazed on? You could use a setscrew (dummy screw) to fill the hole and red loctite it into place, then braze on a ground down original bead if the situation gets dire.
Numrich has the bead in both sizes and colors for $3.50 here: Bead Sight (https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/350330.htm#146560O)
Snaquebite
01-14-2014, 09:38
Duct tape...
BB and superglue :D
Rob_Frey
01-14-2014, 14:18
Yeah, He wants to keep it stock.
I was hoping to find something like that brownells convenience kit that comes with everything so that I could tap it. As the hole has already been drilled out with a larger bit. I tried to insert a 7/64 bit into the hole and it wouldn't fit. So that does tell me that anything that comes with a #32 bit to drill it out with should work.
Am I tracking, or way off?
I believe the correct drill size for 6-48 is #31.
I believe the correct drill size for 6-48 is #31.
Just going by what brownells sells as a kit.
Being that the hole is already there, I am limited on options. As long as i have to drill out with at least a 7/64 bit ( or 32 / 31 metric) I should be good to go with tapping new threads in there for the new sight.
Rob_Frey
01-15-2014, 17:20
I used to work as a gunsmith and have drilled and tapped hundreds of these for shotgun beads. I'm surprised they shipped the kit with a #32 drill bit. This is their chart for their sight kits, and as I remembered #31 is the correct size.
SHOTGUN SIGHT KIT "A" CONTAINS: NO. HEAD DIA. SHAFT/THREAD DRILL/TAP SIZE COLOR
1 .067" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 Gold
2 .130" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 Gold
3 .175" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 Gold
4 .175" 6-48 No. 31-6-48 Gold
5 .067" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 White
6 .130" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 White
7 .175" 3-56 No. 45-3-56 White
8 .175" 6-48 No. 31-6-48 White
I think it will be tougher to tap with the smaller hole, #31 = .1200 and #32 = .1160. You might want to use some tapping fluid to lube for tapping the hole with it being smaller than the ones I tapped.
Good luck.
ETA: You will probably need to grind/sand off the bottom of the bead to make it flush with the surface of the bore.
Yeah, thats what someone else was saying.
Never the less, the #32 worked out fine with said tap and bead sight.
Thanks for the info guys.