GUN SIGHT STEEL 1

[houdini16]

Just thought I would get the opinions of some Materials Engineers, What Steel do you feel would be the best for Firearm Pistol sights?
It needs to be strong enough not to get bent or damaged when dropped, not so hard that it is brittle and breaks when dropped from waist height.
Also not harder than the pistol slide, so once press fit in, its the sight that gives in not the slide. Most Slides are made from Chromoly 4140,4130,4340.... or 17-4 SS

I have heard some manufacturers ues 1020, and I have heard of some using 4140.

I would think 4140 not hardened, or annealed. would work well.

This will be machined, so there may be a better option, a more machinable steel with high strength.

material needs to come in square, rectangle, or plate. .5"

Thanks Guys.

 

[EdStainless]

Sights are usually rather soft, as you say you don't want to damage the barrel. This is a mechanical fit? I am more familiar with them being brazed on. If you drop it you have tweak the sight back anyway.
There is no reason to use anything harder than 1020/1026. If you use a higher alloy grade in the annealed condition you gain nothing.
Just use some medium carbon steel in the normalized condition and you should be fine.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[houdini16]

Thank You for you help.

 

[blacksmith37]

Sights on the M 14 were/are 4150 Q & T to HRC 40/ 45 . We aimed at 41/ 42 for thread tapping. They were investment cast.