Bomar-Cut adjustable sights - that stinkin pin... - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

kannibul · 01-17-2008, 06:26 AM

I bought a Springfield 1911 that had factory installed Adjustable Sights.

When the pin (at the front of the sight) decided to come loose after shooting a few hundred rounds, and the entire sight game loose to where if you tipped it 90deg to the right, it would FALL out...I decided it was time to replace, since they were black on black and I prefer 3-dot or nightsights.

So, I bought some new sights (champion). Technically, the original and the new sights aren't exactly bomar-cut, they are some kind of low-profile bomar...after having them installed, I was cycling it vigorously and the pin started working it's way out

I made the mistake of removing the pin, thinking I could put something (epoxy) on one end and call it good or something along those lines, and after a few hours fighting to get the pin back in (there is a spring in there I didn't know about...) - I finally got it back together...but it leaves the question - what about that stinkin' pin?

How do I get it where that pin won't back out?

bountyhunter · 01-17-2008, 11:38 AM

That pin is supposed to have a groove in the center that the end of the "hidden" spring mates into and holds it tight. If they fall out, it is usually because the pin broke and one end fell out. They always break at the end of the machined groove, which then allows it to work free. Those pins are famous for breaking. last time mine broke, I made a new pin out of a finishing nail because it is 1000X tougher and will never break. You do hve to file a groove in the middle to allow the spring tp pop into if you want the pin to stay locked in place.

kannibul · 01-17-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bountyhunter

That pin is supposed to have a groove in the center that the end of the "hidden" spring mates into and holds it tight. If they fall out, it is usually because the pin broke and one end fell out. They always break at the end of the machined groove, which then allows it to work free. Those pins are famous for breaking. last time mine broke, I made a new pin out of a finishing nail because it is 1000X tougher and will never break. You do hve to file a groove in the middle to allow the spring tp pop into if you want the pin to stay locked in place.

Mine is perfectly smooth with a very, very slight taper. One end is beveled, so I assume it's meant to be a press-fit kind of deal.

I think the OEM sight was the same way?

etech · 01-19-2008, 11:48 AM

Used locktight to get that pin to stay on my springfield(remove any oil on sights). It would start to back out after a few rounds. The pin on mine was tapered with no ring cut on it. Use a small punch on left side to hold the center spring back while pushing the pin in from the right side.

bountyhunter · 01-20-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Mine is perfectly smooth with a very, very slight taper. One end is beveled, so I assume it's meant to be a press-fit kind of deal.

I think the OEM sight was the same way?

The Bomar sights and clones I have seen use a hinge pin with a groove in the middle so the end of the spring will lock the pin in place.

01-17-2008, 06:26 AM	#1
kannibul XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 806	Bomar-Cut adjustable sights - that stinkin pin... I bought a Springfield 1911 that had factory installed Adjustable Sights. When the pin (at the front of the sight) decided to come loose after shooting a few hundred rounds, and the entire sight game loose to where if you tipped it 90deg to the right, it would FALL out...I decided it was time to replace, since they were black on black and I prefer 3-dot or nightsights. So, I bought some new sights (champion). Technically, the original and the new sights aren't exactly bomar-cut, they are some kind of low-profile bomar...after having them installed, I was cycling it vigorously and the pin started working it's way out I made the mistake of removing the pin, thinking I could put something (epoxy) on one end and call it good or something along those lines, and after a few hours fighting to get the pin back in (there is a spring in there I didn't know about...) - I finally got it back together...but it leaves the question - what about that stinkin' pin? How do I get it where that pin won't back out?

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01-17-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
bountyhunter XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nazifornia Posts: 1,651	That pin is supposed to have a groove in the center that the end of the "hidden" spring mates into and holds it tight. If they fall out, it is usually because the pin broke and one end fell out. They always break at the end of the machined groove, which then allows it to work free. Those pins are famous for breaking. last time mine broke, I made a new pin out of a finishing nail because it is 1000X tougher and will never break. You do hve to file a groove in the middle to allow the spring tp pop into if you want the pin to stay locked in place.

01-19-2008, 11:48 AM	#4
etech XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6	Used locktight to get that pin to stay on my springfield(remove any oil on sights). It would start to back out after a few rounds. The pin on mine was tapered with no ring cut on it. Use a small punch on left side to hold the center spring back while pushing the pin in from the right side.