Loctite on dove tail sights

[Mitch]

Is it necessary if the sights are fitted well? I've never used it and it hasn't been an issue yet, but if it does have some benefit it's an easy thing to do.

[Mike C]

Everyone I've ever known used some Blue Loctite 242 on anything with a set screw. I know a few people who use it on the rear as well just running a little along the ledge of the dove tail. I have also subscribed to using this method and have never had an issue, only once have I had to drift a sight at a later date it didn't seem to cause a problem. I don't really know if its a great benefit or not but it gives me piece of mind. But to each his own I guess.

[Irelander]

I use the blue loctite on all rear sight dovetails when I replace sights. Never has been an issue.

[JodyH]

I use red Loc-Tite on every dovetail sight I install.

[JV_]

I always use Loctite, it's cheap insurance. For front sights, I usually use 620.

[PPGMD]

I also typically use red high temp loctite on most dove tailed sights.

[Lomshek]

I use red Loc-Tite on every dovetail sight I install.

Do any of you that use Loc-Tite that requires heat to remove use it on tritium sights and have any idea if the heat required would be an issue with the tritium lamps? Didn't know if that's a concern.

[JV_]

Both 620 and 272, which are the only two that I use, are supposed require heat to remove. I haven't found that heat is required and don't use it.

I've gotten my slides hot enough from regular shooting (like during a king of the mountain plate rack run), which also made the sights really hot, that if I had to apply a little heat I wouldn't be concerned.

[orionz06]

Do any of you that use Loc-Tite that requires heat to remove use it on tritium sights and have any idea if the heat required would be an issue with the tritium lamps? Didn't know if that's a concern.

I have used heat countless times on night sights without anything negative to speak of. One set is 4 years old now and still quite bright. Not sure if I reduced the overall life but being honest the life cycle for me is only a few years on sights. I also don't heat them too much. I have found that a quick wave of the torch does the trick.

ETA: Red Loctite needs to be 550 degrees F to break free.

[LSP552]

I done a ton of sights on both SIGs and Glocks and have never used or needed it. I do use a drop on the Glock front sight screw, but not any of the dove tails. Not saying it's a bad thing, just that I've never had a problem not using it for well fitting sights.

[joshs]

For sights that are a very tight fit, I don't worry about it, though I do always use some type of thread locker on sights that use a set screw. On dovetail sights with a looser fit, I've had good luck with loctite keeping in place a sight that would otherwise drift.

[0ddl0t]

Bumping this back from the dead...

Once I put loctite in the dovetail, how long do I have to make adjustments? Can I install the sight at home and check it on the range 30-60 minutes later and if necessary drift if then? Or do I need to install & loctite the sight at the range and verify/adjust zero immediately?

[Chuck Whitlock]

^^^^^^^
I imagine that it would depend on which flavor of locktite that you use. Directions ought to be on the tube or in the packaging.

[Bart Carter]

From building cars over the years, I have found that there are many flavors of Loctite.

For sights, once you have them where you want them, use green Loctite (290). It is about the strength of blue, but made to apply after parts are together. It wicks in between surfaces. Clean the sights of all oil before assembling.

Good stuff. Racers building aluminum gas tanks, brake fluid reservoirs, etc. use it after welding to take care of weld porosity.

Also very convenient after you have torqued bolts, you don't have to disassemble and put the blue on.