Recommended Steel for Rear Rifle Sights

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06 May 2013, 19:57

Austin Hunter

Recommended Steel for Rear Rifle Sights

I have a friend making a copy of the rear sights off of my pre-war Mauser (doubling the height of the blades). He is not a gunsmith, but has the ability to make a copy of ANYTHING (works for a $130B Asia based manufacturing company)

What are some recommended steels I should tell him to use?

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08 May 2013, 10:54

JBrown

quote:
Lots of choices but I like to work with 4140. It can be hardened if you like .

That would be a good choice. Speedy Metals here on the internet has 4140 for very reasonable prices.

Jason

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08 May 2013, 18:10

Toomany Tools

I like 1018. It's easy to machine, polish and blue. And it's relatively inexpensive and easy to find.

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08 May 2013, 20:32

dpcd

For sights, any steel will work; if you are going to temper it like a spring (like a leaf sight) need to use spring steel like 1075. If you are going to case harden it, use 1018. If you are going to through harden it, use 4140. If you are going to leave it as is, (most sights are), use anything but 1018 will be cheaper than alloy steel. If you are only going to make one, doesn't matter. I am sure the pre war Mauser sights were made from a low carbon steel like 1018.

09 May 2013, 20:03

kcstott

You'd be surprised to find out how many sights and scope bases are made from 12L14.
I personally like 4140 but 12L14 will work in most applications.

Now for the nay sayers.

Look up the specs on annealed 4140 then compare them to 12L14 you'll find that 12L14 is actually stronger then 4140 in an annealed state.
4140 is a tough steel but is doesn't develop it's full strength until it's heat treated.