Problem with Mossberg Ghost Ring Sights

[Titanium_Frost]

I ordered a set of factory Mossberg GRS to install on my 18" 590A1 that only has a bead and when inspecting the front sight before install I noticed that the front blade slide easily in and out of the base. Now I'm not a gunsmith nor a machinist but me thinks dats no good.

Question, is there a source for the EXACT measurement of the dovetail to see which side is out of spec? I wouldn't be too upset if the blade is small and I could just order a Fiber or Tritium blade to mount in the base.

I REALLY don't want to send it back because these are pretty hard to get a hold of and I prefer the factory sights to anything else I've seen available.

 

[Slow Hand]

I can't give dimensions but I have had a few loose dovetails over the years. You can raise a few humps on the flat spot on the sight base or on the bottom of the sight itself, or you can peen the top, thin parts of the dovetail down a hair. If it's really close, and only slightly loose, you could probably put some Lok-Tite or JB Weld in the dovetail and slide the sight into place.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Do you peen them when it is installed or before and drift it in?

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Sorry, tried to upload a video and it didn't like it. The blade easily falls straight through and rattles around, not tight at all.

 

[Squirt239]

Put a piece of aluminum foil or the like under your sight and drift it in. Works as a shim...

 

[Tactically Fat]

Worst-case and most expensive answer:

Have it welded up and then have the dovetail re-cut.

But try and shim it with foil first.

 

[snorko]

Why not send the complete front sight back to mossberg for a replacement?

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Why not send the complete front sight back to mossberg for a replacement?

I was debating about upgrading the blade to a tritium or fiber optic anyway.

 

[Sling10mm]

I was debating about upgrading the blade to a tritium or fiber optic anyway.

Yeah, but is it the dovetail slot in the base is oversized, or the sight blade dovetail pin too small? If the former, then getting a new blade wouldn't solve your problem.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Yeah, but is it the dovetail slot in the base is oversized, or the sight blade dovetail pin too small? If the former, then getting a new blade wouldn't solve your problem.

Exactly... Back to square one, how do I find out?