Needing front sight blade for Navy Luger

DavidJayUden · 03-11-2009, 10:24 PM

Doc and all:
I've got a 1917 Navy top end on a commercial lower, and the combination makes for the most accurate Luger I own. Typically keeps them in about a baseball-sized group well down the range. And functions flawlessly with all ammo, including my cast-bulleted handloads.
The problem; with the rear sight set on the lower setting of 100 meters, it prints way too high, like over 14" high at 75'.
The front sight insert seems plenty tall, measuring .20" tall from the top edge of the base to the upper tip. But obviously not tall enough.
Are taller inserts available or are there other solutions available?
Thanks for your wisdom.

DJU

John Sabato · 03-12-2009, 10:04 AM

The front sight base on a Navy barrel is much higher than the front sight base on a standard commercial barrel. You will have to experiment to find out what front sight blade height will work for you. A custom blade can solve your problem, once you determine exactly how high it needs to be... You can try to make a temporary sight from a moldable epoxy and file it down until you get the right shot placement. Then measure the front sight height and you will know what size blade you will need to fabricate or have fabricated.

Please post close up photos of your "Navy"... especially the front sight base and muzzle end of the barrel.

DavidJayUden · 03-13-2009, 10:05 PM

Here are a few photos. Again it was a 1920 Commercial in .30 cal. sitting in the display case right next to a complete Navy top end. There had been some pitting near the muzzle prior to re-blue, but overall condition was good. I took them home and made 1 out of one-and-a-half, and just love it! It eats my reloads like there is no tomorrow, handles/points like a dream, and don't look half bad either. Bloody accurate with or without a stock, and I may try deer hunting with it next year. But I've got to adjust the Point Of Impact down a bit first.

John Sabato · 03-13-2009, 10:56 PM

David,

Thanks for posting the photos... The good news is that the barrel IS a Navy barrel. I can tell from the height of the front sight base. Why it is shooting so high is a mystery... Perhaps you are holding the gun too lightly and the muzzle jump is placing your shots so high. Try a firmer grip on the gun and see if your shot placement improves.

A P.38 front sight will fit the dovetail, and may be high enough that it will correct your shot placement. The only problem with a P.38 front sight has a squared top edge on the blade, and the Luger rear sight is a V-notch... If the vertical shot placement is better you can modify the front blade to have a more Luger-like inverted-V profile with a fine file...

DavidJayUden · 03-13-2009, 11:34 PM

I'm already strangling the grip to be sure that it functions correctly. Possibly faster loads may bring 'er down a bit.
And then the sight is for 100M. It may be spot on at that range. I'll have to ring it out at the rifle range instead of these wimpy indoor pistol ranges.
Thanks for the help.
DJU

03-11-2009, 10:24 PM	#1
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Needing front sight blade for Navy Luger Doc and all: I've got a 1917 Navy top end on a commercial lower, and the combination makes for the most accurate Luger I own. Typically keeps them in about a baseball-sized group well down the range. And functions flawlessly with all ammo, including my cast-bulleted handloads. The problem; with the rear sight set on the lower setting of 100 meters, it prints way too high, like over 14" high at 75'. The front sight insert seems plenty tall, measuring .20" tall from the top edge of the base to the upper tip. But obviously not tall enough. Are taller inserts available or are there other solutions available? Thanks for your wisdom. DJU

03-12-2009, 10:04 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Navy Front Sight Height on Standard Barrel The front sight base on a Navy barrel is much higher than the front sight base on a standard commercial barrel. You will have to experiment to find out what front sight blade height will work for you. A custom blade can solve your problem, once you determine exactly how high it needs to be... You can try to make a temporary sight from a moldable epoxy and file it down until you get the right shot placement. Then measure the front sight height and you will know what size blade you will need to fabricate or have fabricated. Please post close up photos of your "Navy"... especially the front sight base and muzzle end of the barrel. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-13-2009, 10:05 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	As per your request... Here are a few photos. Again it was a 1920 Commercial in .30 cal. sitting in the display case right next to a complete Navy top end. There had been some pitting near the muzzle prior to re-blue, but overall condition was good. I took them home and made 1 out of one-and-a-half, and just love it! It eats my reloads like there is no tomorrow, handles/points like a dream, and don't look half bad either. Bloody accurate with or without a stock, and I may try deer hunting with it next year. But I've got to adjust the Point Of Impact down a bit first. Attached Thumbnails

03-13-2009, 10:56 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	David, Thanks for posting the photos... The good news is that the barrel IS a Navy barrel. I can tell from the height of the front sight base. Why it is shooting so high is a mystery... Perhaps you are holding the gun too lightly and the muzzle jump is placing your shots so high. Try a firmer grip on the gun and see if your shot placement improves. A P.38 front sight will fit the dovetail, and may be high enough that it will correct your shot placement. The only problem with a P.38 front sight has a squared top edge on the blade, and the Luger rear sight is a V-notch... If the vertical shot placement is better you can modify the front blade to have a more Luger-like inverted-V profile with a fine file... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

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03-13-2009, 11:34 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm already strangling the grip to be sure that it functions correctly. Possibly faster loads may bring 'er down a bit. And then the sight is for 100M. It may be spot on at that range. I'll have to ring it out at the rifle range instead of these wimpy indoor pistol ranges. Thanks for the help. DJU