P 08 adjustable rear sight, trials and tribulations

[DonVoigt]

I've wanted to add an adjustable, target type rear sight and better visibility front sight to my GT 5" bull barrel special P 08.

After a lot of thinking and figuring, I decided to modify a Mecgar rear sight for the 1911 Colt type that I had on hand. It is a close knock off of the old MMC rear sight.

Except I think it is cast or sintered rather than milled from bar stock like the MMC was.

The first two pictures show the original rear sight and short front, this worked ok, but not a great sight picture-as usual.

The third and fourth pictures show the adj. sight and tall front sight- when intact.

Fifth shows the decent sight picture.

Next is the broken right side from two different angle.

You can see from the pictures it can be done by reducing the width of the dove tail to about 0.5", so it will fit between the receiver rails.
Unfortunately, as later shown, this reduces the "web" that holds the sides of the sight together to near nothing.

After some 30-40 rounds I determined the height of sight needed for the front, as seen it is quite tall- in spite of mounting the adj. rear as low as possible. Position is limited due to clearance around the rear rails as the sight rotates with the rear toggle.

I installed the tall rear sight and back to the range- unfortunately the right side of the rear sight broke off, never to be seen- so there ended that shooting session. But it did hold together for 40-50 rounds.

Back at the bench, I decided to modify it to hold in position so I could at least confirm the front sight height and if there was any accuracy in the barrel- to make it all worth the time and effort.

So I added a screw through the hole in the adj. part of the sight through the dove tail; this holds it but negates the vertical adjustment. But the windage still works ok.

6, 7, and 8 show the repaired rear sight. The top view shows how thin the web is that broke. The left view shows the mods to the dovetail and clearance to the receiver ears.

A pretty long story short it worked. had to adjust the windage a bit, but the elevation was right close at 40 ft or so.

Final targets are self explanatory, even with old eyes the luger can shoot ok.

Now, to modify another cast sight, trying to leave more "meat" in the web, or buy a new old stock MMC and repeat the experiment with it!

I do believe the pictures will show the answer to Sheepherders question of why not an adj. sight on the baby, too big, and the front sight is way too tall to look good. JMHO.

Any one with ideas or a sight they want to contribute to the project is welcome to add their comments or send it it.

[sheepherder]

Looks a lot like a Millette sight I have. I didn't know Mecgar made sights.

An Accro or Elliason rear sight from a Colt auto might work better. Mill a 'shoe' and silver-solder/dovetail it to the rear toggle.

S&W K & N frame revolver sights are nice and slim. Simple too - the sight is the spring. I've used those on 1911's.

[Eugen]

Don, interesting project and great photos. Thanks for sharing.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Looks a lot like a Millette sight I have. I didn't know Mecgar made sights.

An Accro or Elliason rear sight from a Colt auto might work better. Mill a 'shoe' and silver-solder/dovetail it to the rear toggle.

S&W K & N frame revolver sights are nice and slim. Simple too - the sight is the spring. I've used those on 1911's.

Thanks for the ideas.

If I had a handful of sights to look at/play with- I'm sure i could find another candidate.

I've looked at online pictures till my eyes hurt.

I didn't know about the mecgar sights either, these are/were new old stock from the shop I help with "problems". I don't think they make them anymore.

[Hugh]

A Texas gunsmith's version of a target Luger using a S&W sight:

[Hugh]

Luger Target Toggle with S&W sight:

[sheepherder]

Here's another [blown-up] pic of Hugh's rear sight conversion...Showing top of the 'shoe' the S&W sight is mounted in...Very nice!

[Eugen]

There appear to be several creative ways to skin a cat.