How to cut sight dovetails in a gun barrel

The most precise method for cutting a dovetail uses a milling machine and a cutter designed specifically for the job. Larry Potterfield, CEO and Founder of MidwayUSA, demonstrates this process while cutting the sight dovetails in a Remington Rolling Block pistol barrel.

http://www.midwayusa.com/

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• MidwayUSA
• Midway
• USA
• Larry
• Potterfield

[MavHunter20XX]

......Is it me or it seems like gunsmiths will always have a job.

[NeoLuckyDog]

Oh wow that was so easy! I just need one of those big huge wachu ma call it machine cutting thingies and I can do it no problem!

[DonQuixotec]

@MavHunter20XX I reckon it's a hard job at times, cause hundreds of new products come ever year, and they need to update themselves on those guns that are made.

[17hmr243]

@MavHunter20XX

dont think so

the gunsmiths in aus are lazzy and refuse work that i ask for.

[Kitao87]

@MavHunter20XX There are approx. 30,000 guns in the US for every gunsmith. Yes. Gunsmiths will always have a job.

[BuecherFuerAlle]

@John4566442 600$? Really? Wow. I didn't know that. Hmmmm I think I'll look that up. I hate having to go to my local gunsmith and pay him a small fortune to fix even minor things really. So yeah, thanks for the info.

(I mean, 600$ wouldn't be cheap either. But It could very well pay off, at the end of the day.)

[John4566442]

@MrAnimeGuru

Within reason, the Mini-mill is useful for the hobbiest, but like I said, it's not a Bridgeport.

Not everybody needs or wants a 1000 plus pound mill runing on 3 pase power. A mini-mill is affordable, available and doesn't weigh a ton (litterally), but it's definately limited when compared to the bigger machines. A dove tail? No problem.

[John4566442]

@cottonjeff

I think he meant that using a end mill first to mill out a slot and and then followed by the dove tail to mill out the recesses reduces stress on the cutter.

[cottonjeff]

MrAnimeGuru the dovetail cutter cuts a wider swath than an end mill.Get a clue before you open your mouth.

[John4566442]

@BuecherFuerAlle You can pick up a Habor Freight mill for about $600. It's not a Bridgeport, but it will do the job.

These videos don't replace a good shop manual, but from watching them, the viewer can get a general idea of what's involved in each of the videos. For the hobby gunsmith, these videos can be a help.