While I was out hunting this weekend the front sight ramp ( a Williams I had a gunsmith install about 15 years ago)popped off my Ruger M77. There was quite a bit of rust under it and it was apparently not well soldered to begin with.

Is resoldering this a task a reasonably adept amateur could handle? I've got a MAPP gas torch and have silver soldered other things. Any tips so I won't mess up the blueing or get solder all over?

you cannot solder it without messing up the bluing...use 44-40 or some solder with a lesser amount of silver so you do not have to put a lot of heat on the barrel...

It is a simple job but requires a good deal of expertise and if you have to ask, then I suggest have someone else do it and the barrel reblued otherwise D&T the sight and use some glass to keep it there.

If you are really careful, and get all the rust off without messing with the blueing, take the front ramp sight, clean it and then put some of Brownells "Comet" flux on it and then "tin" it. Nest step is to turn the barreled action upside down so you don't get any of the flux on it flux the ramp and solder away using the Force 44-40 solder. The thing about it is the flux will take all the blueing of it touches. Try it, you won't be out anything. Don't even think about silver solder, it gets everyting too damn hot before it will run.

Jim

Soldering is a lot harder than it looks - I've never been successful at it. Your MAPP torch will get the barrel hot enough to cause oxidation and scaling inside, probably won't work any wonders for accuracy.

If it were me, there would be two options -- 1) pay someone to re-attach the sight you have, preferably with a screw as well, OR 2) buy an NECG banded front ramp, plus a blade of the correct height. These sights are easy to install, just expand the band on the barrel with sharp raps on the bottom, from a flat faced hammer, leaving it a little tight so you can tap it back to a snug fit. I also use 'glass underneath the band, and drill a shallow, slightly oversized recess for the set screw to lock into.

The band ramp will give you a very classy look -- it could be blued to match with oxpho blue, or better yet one of the express blues.

JMO,
Todd

Hello Americans, Stand by for news!

Given the responses to my post (much appreciated) I've decide to apply a temporary fix ... JB Weld!

Good Day!

P.S. Since it's a backup sight I thought this would be a good test of this product. I'll keep you posted.

Allan

I've used JB weld on barrel bands for slings & havn't had one come off yet. Only time will tell.

I understand that they use the JB Weld on the Ching Rings as well.

It will come off with JB Weld if it gets too hot or too cold..glass will not hold metal IMO...Many think it will but they must not use their guns very hard....