AW .357 may be heading to Henry repair

[PT7]

First time I cleaned my AW rifle, I saw the front bead dovetail was loose and it easily drifted out with my fingers. Henry addressed the issue by sending me a new sight.

Cleaned my rifle yesterday after some range time, and thought I'd put on the new bead sight this afternoon. Same thing happened with the second sight. I was able to drift it in again only with my fingers to almost a fully-centered position! But I'm certain it's not a tight enough fit to stay in.

Wrote to Henry Rice Lake today. The original sight had "56B" on the base, and the replacement sight has "49B" marked on the base. Don't know if it's a sight size issue, or if the cut on the barrel is out-of-whack. I'm ready to send it in for repair this time. Kind of an unusual feeling to finger-drift in a sight without a punch.

PT7

[fortyshooter]

Hope they get it right for you very soon!

[JEBar]

looking forward to following the warranty service process

[ESquared]

That's a bummer, PT! You know they'll make it right, so please do keep us posted! I see a new barrel in your future!

[RanchRoper]

Good luck. Hope it gets fixed up soon.

[PT7]

Not really a bummer; rather, interesting. How many of us have had the chance to drift a dovetail sight with two fingers?!?

Actually, your comment on a new barrel is something to think about. The bore of this rifle is immaculate, clean and clear as glass. It's the best-looking barrel and rifling I've seen on any of the Henrys I've had. Would not like to lose it. Might call for some mulling before FedEx gets into the picture...

That's a bummer, PT! You know they'll make it right, so please do keep us posted! I see a new barrel in your future!

[markiver54]

Some may know, I have the opposite problem on my SGC. My front dove tail was frozen in place. Has been in Henry hands since the 15th. Not too long ago, but still anxious to hear something. Guess they may be very busy! Trying to exercise patience.

[ESquared]

Some may know, I have the opposite problem on my SGC. My front dove tail was frozen in place. Has been in Henry hands since the 15th. Not too long ago, but still anxious to hear something. Guess they may be very busy! Trying to exercise patience.

And "Cockeyed" to boot! Did they issue you a Warranty tracking number so you can log in and see what you can see?

[markiver54]

Some may know, I have the opposite problem on my SGC. My front dove tail was frozen in place. Has been in Henry hands since the 15th. Not too long ago, but still anxious to hear something. Guess they may be very busy! Trying to exercise patience.

And "Cockeyed" to boot! Did they issue you a Warranty tracking number so you can log in and see what you can see?

Yes, I have a HWS# and access code # that I check almost every day, but nothing yet. I think an email to Tom, or a call might be in order this week. I bought it cause I want to shoot it!!

[ESquared]

Yep, going on two weeks for something that simple gives you permission to start being the squeaky wheel. Call 'em up!

[Mistered]

Might call for some mulling before FedEx gets into the picture...

I agree - why not just ‘stake’ the sight you want to use, install it and move on?
My point being why risk getting it back with with worse (or other problems) when this can be resolved quickly and easily?

[PT7]

Yup, the risk you mentioned is there.
Since you've written "stake" that way, it must be a specific adjust. I've not heard of that before.
What does "stake" mean? How is it done?

I agree - why not just ‘stake’ the sight you want to use, install it and move on?
My point being why risk getting it back with with worse (or other problems) when this can be resolved quickly and easily?

[markiver54]

Yep, going on two weeks for something that simple gives you permission to start being the squeaky wheel. Call 'em up!

Yep, I am gonna send an email to Tom today to start with. He usually gets back same day.

[Mistered]

What does "stake" mean? How is it done?

‘Staking’ a sight is basically hammering some divots in the bottom of the sight with a punch to slightly expand the base to allow it to fit tightly. This is a common procedure and has been done since sights have been dovetailed into barrels.
Basic procedure is to get a couple small blocks of hardwood to fit into the jaws of your vise. Then you invert the sight and fit it between the blocks so it is supported to not move downward. Snug up the vise to grip the sight and smack three divots along the base with your punch. You should see some pronounced lifting of the metal around the dents and this should give it enough to fit tightly in the dovetail. If too tight you simply stone the base a bit.

[PT7]

Sounds doable, Mistered. Appreciate your providing this option. It would definitely allow me to keep this pristine barrel.

I'll still wait for Henry's response, because I did ask them if they sent the correct sight based on the different numbers on the bases. If they say they will yet send another sight to me, I'd take that option, too.

Thanks.

‘Staking’ a sight is basically hammering some divots in the bottom of the sight with a punch to slightly expand the base to allow it to fit tightly.

[markiver54]

Sorry PT, didn't mean to jump in on your post, just saw some similarity of issues.
I think we all agree that Henry CS is outstanding...just hope and pray QC isn't starting to lag a bit.

[Mistered]

because I did ask them if they sent the correct sight based on the different numbers on the bases.

I suspect the numbers on the bases are referencing the height of the sight.
The 3/8" dovetail is a standard cut for a front sight on most rifles. I fit the front sight that came on my .357 BBB on a 1967 Winchester and it's original front blade on the Henry with no problems.
The dovetail on your barrel is probably a bit on the large side so unless they send you a front sight that is cut a bit large you will probably get the same results.
Its not unlikely that a barrel dovetail gets cut a little large occasionally. A dull cutter, equipment a bit out of sync or a barrel not set up correctly etc.

[Henry88]

Funny, but growing up around guns, including a lot of friends with guns, I just don't remember these problems. My point is....

"Didn't they really make guns well back in the old days"

[Mistered]

because I did ask them if they sent the correct sight based on the different numbers on the bases.

I suspect the numbers on the bases are referencing the height of the sight - Henry did not make the sights.
The 3/8" dovetail is a standard cut for a front sight on most rifles. I fit the front sight that came on my .357 BBB on a 1967 Winchester and it's original front blade onto my Henry with no problems.
The dovetail on your barrel is probably a bit on the large side so unless they send you a front sight that is cut a bit large you will probably get the same results.
Its not unlikely that a barrel dovetail gets cut a little large occasionally. A dull cutter, equipment a bit out of sync or a barrel not set up correctly etc.

[Mistered]

How many of us have had the chance to drift a dovetail sight with two fingers?!?

This as well as frozen/rusted sights.
Interestingly my 1899 Winchester has a loose rear dovetail (finger driftable) while the front was frozen. Most likely due to rust on both the sight and dovetail was my first thought
And a soak in penetrating oil for about two weeks and a couple solid raps with a brass drift broke it loose - and fortunately no rust.
An interesting end to the story occured while I was cleaning the front sight with toothpaste and I noticed the top of the sight was much brighter than the rest. When done it was obvious the sight had what appeared to be a silver inset in it and it turned out this was in fact a rare sight that was only used for a short time on the early Mod 94s.