Replacing a removed front sight

[x101airborne]

I bought a Husqvarna rifle in 6.5x55 that has scope bases on it. It does have the rear sight on it, folded down. The front sight has been removed somehow. I would like to re-attach a front sight, and I understand about soldering one on but I have absolutely no idea how to get it on straight. I know I have one chance to get it right and I dont want to mess it up. If ANYONE has suggestions, I would like to hear them. 

[bradshaw]

Aug 31, 2023 19:14:22 GMT -5 x101airborne said:

I bought a Husqvarna rifle in 6.5x55 that has scope bases on it. It does have the rear sight on it, folded down. The front sight has been removed somehow. I would like to re-attach a front sight, and I understand about soldering one on but I have absolutely no idea how to get it on straight. I know I have one chance to get it right and I dont want to mess it up. If ANYONE has suggestions, I would like to hear them. 

*****

Trey.... Husqvarna made great Mausers, both military and commercial. I has a couple of the commercial 98’s, a .30-06 rifle and a European alpine carbine 7x57mm; both super shooters, with the best configuration of “pistol grip” I've experienced. Both were small ring 98’s, with Model 70-style ejector slot below the left locking lug. Although they were small ring 98’s, based on metallurgy I would trust their strength to equal if not surpass any other 98 Mauser.

Your Husqvarna may have a rear sight boss turned integral to the barrel. Front sight probably was a ramp, silver soldered. Unless you intend to use irons, I would leave off the front ramp. If you simply must have the front sight, only let someone who has this work down cold do it.

Footnote: back around 1980, S&W under the ownership of Bangor-Punta imported Husqvarna 98’s and applied the S&W logo. Some of these actions felt sticky in operation. I double it was a hardness issue. Husqvarna introduced a turnabout without the Mauser claw----might have been the Model 3000----and S&W applied its stamp to these, also.

A proper commercial Husqvarna is my favorite Mauser, although I consider the FN commercial a cream 98, as well.
David Bradshaw

[junebug]

Tommy L. Bish in his Home Gunsmithing guide for Guns Digest books from 1970 has an article on this very subject, if you can find his book.

[x101airborne]

Well, I dont HAVE to have it. I just thought it would put the rifle back to original condition (if it even matters). Sometimes you hear of these type projects and they turn out country simple. Other times you think it should be easy and it is a study in astrophysics. Never know till you ask.

[junebug]

Trey
Could you use a band style front sight? Then you could use some of the permanent type of Loctite to hold it on. I don't know the color codes for Loctite but some are considered permanent.

[x101airborne]

I guess I am going to leave it off. Decided to put a 2x10 scope on it anyway. 350 yards is my personal limit for shooting whitetail. Hogs have no range limit. Those are on the "kill on sight" list, dont care what shot angle I get. The 6.5x55 with a 140 grain bullet is definitely a killer. I like the round so much I had a custom job done on a Mauser 98 action. This Husqvarna has an almost like new barrel and rifling but has been shot enough there are finger grooves worn in the left side pistol grip checkering. For there to be finger grooves in the checkering yet the rifle is in such good condition (other than the front sight being gone), someone LOVED and used this rifle. Its time in the field is far from over, it has just changed generations.

And this action is SLICK. I can literally fire on an empty chamber and use the back of my thumb to work the bolt. It is a beautiful thing.

[cas]

I've used Brownells Force 44 solder to put two front sights on. Actually one sight, the same one twice. I first put it on a "sporterized" Martini Henry, but it was too low. So needing a sight for a chopped Krag, I put it on that. Of course the finished product is a lot more forgiving looks wise when it's on a 130-140 year old finish.

They looked pretty darn good though, especially since I'd never done it before. (now I see the offer it in a "ribbon" which I suppose is made for that task)