Ruger Vaquero OM SS front sight fell off - best way to repair?

[Rover SASS 28073L]

Front sight fell off: 

                                     1.  Silver solder (gunsmith)

                                     2.  JB Weld

                                     3.  Super glue   what type?

What is your experience and knowledge with this repair?

 

Thanks for your advice and help!         and a Blessed Christmas to all!

Edited December 13, 2025 by Rover SASS 28073L
added detail

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Mine fell off at a shoot in Nevada.  Stopped at an auto parts store and got some red lock tite.  Figured if it held for the rest of the match I would do a permanent repair when I got home.  Been on there for 12 years.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Loctite red stud and bearing mount.

Cure in over at 150* for 30 minutes. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

What I have used on sights the past ten years or so is Green Loctite 648.  It is made for smooth surfaces.  Red is ideally for threaded fittings.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Retaining-648-Cylindrical-Components-Assemblies/dp/B0CHWFVV2Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1II36CUBQPT6W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RWAuTebXlp6R1ehEwxw_6dKv5rWAs3m9qV6pspUKjMD11Fp-CaHkpBTBSNehtoRlFGkwWOTg625TTXn7-_yKjFK_h0_bt_rQFqZi0x9E-CacpPU7CM1JfaslpS-FHuoVHNRSoyWkpkJPWgMNcn7gos6lkGogtDf3q8gPUoxigFVfUB2Lsuq8XEm47mPCucvH-VE40p4cE3m8qAeyBeXIAhwzF3cKCq4OpCvdTR_YIns.jFuiNa_FBmYvM840aBvdGGA7xhDl7ZxewhiMZ70vYvg&dib_tag=se&keywords=green%2Bloctite&qid=1765669444&sprefix=green%2Bloc%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-5&th=1

[Sedalia Dave]

6 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

What I have used on sights the past ten years or so is Green Loctite 648.  It is made for smooth surfaces.  Red is ideally for threaded fittings.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Retaining-648-Cylindrical-Components-Assemblies/dp/B0CHWFVV2Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1II36CUBQPT6W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RWAuTebXlp6R1ehEwxw_6dKv5rWAs3m9qV6pspUKjMD11Fp-CaHkpBTBSNehtoRlFGkwWOTg625TTXn7-_yKjFK_h0_bt_rQFqZi0x9E-CacpPU7CM1JfaslpS-FHuoVHNRSoyWkpkJPWgMNcn7gos6lkGogtDf3q8gPUoxigFVfUB2Lsuq8XEm47mPCucvH-VE40p4cE3m8qAeyBeXIAhwzF3cKCq4OpCvdTR_YIns.jFuiNa_FBmYvM840aBvdGGA7xhDl7ZxewhiMZ70vYvg&dib_tag=se&keywords=green%2Bloctite&qid=1765669444&sprefix=green%2Bloc%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-5&th=1

 

THIS ^^^^.

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

Does the sight sit in a slot in the barrel ?  Just curious.

Horace

[Buckshot Bear]

1 hour ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

What I have used on sights the past ten years or so is Green Loctite 648.  It is made for smooth surfaces.  Red is ideally for threaded fittings.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Retaining-648-Cylindrical-Components-Assemblies/dp/B0CHWFVV2Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1II36CUBQPT6W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RWAuTebXlp6R1ehEwxw_6dKv5rWAs3m9qV6pspUKjMD11Fp-CaHkpBTBSNehtoRlFGkwWOTg625TTXn7-_yKjFK_h0_bt_rQFqZi0x9E-CacpPU7CM1JfaslpS-FHuoVHNRSoyWkpkJPWgMNcn7gos6lkGogtDf3q8gPUoxigFVfUB2Lsuq8XEm47mPCucvH-VE40p4cE3m8qAeyBeXIAhwzF3cKCq4OpCvdTR_YIns.jFuiNa_FBmYvM840aBvdGGA7xhDl7ZxewhiMZ70vYvg&dib_tag=se&keywords=green%2Bloctite&qid=1765669444&sprefix=green%2Bloc%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-5&th=1

 

 

Commonly referred to as "Engineers Glue"  

[Jack Spade]

I have also fixed front sights that fell off with the green locktite.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

1 hour ago, Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 said:

Does the sight sit in a slot in the barrel ?  Just curious.

Horace

If it was sitting on top of the barrel it would easily break off.  So yes the sight is sitting in a slot.

[Cayuse Jack, SASS #19407]

JB weld.

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

21 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

If it was sitting on top of the barrel it would easily break off.  So yes the sight is sitting in a slot.

What I figured. I've had 3 pairs of vaqueros but never had a problem with the sight.

[X Mark]

You really don't need no stinkin' sights . Shoot outlaw instead.

The sight s are extraneous to the game !!

  Good luck with the repair !

[Captain Bill Burt]

I had the front sight of a Vaquero come off a while back. I JB welded it back. That held for 5-6 years then it came off again.  I had a gunsmith silver solder it on which lasted less than a match. I JB Welded it again and it’s still on.

Edited December 14, 2025 by Captain Bill Burt

[G W Wade]

I have used Locktite 380 Black Max without one falling off-  Yet!       GW

[Jim Brown]

5 hours ago, G W Wade said:

I have used Locktite 380 Black Max without one falling off-  Yet!       GW

The sight came off my Vaquero last week. I called Snake Oil George to find out what he uses on his sight replacements. 

Locktite 380. Cleaned out the channel and sight with wire wheel on my dremel.  Put together with the locktite- All I can say now is it held for matches this weekend. I will see how long it lasts.

 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

6 hours ago, G W Wade said:

I have used Locktite 380 Black Max without one falling off-  Yet!       GW

380 is Loctite's version of 'crazy-glue'.

[Sedalia Dave]

55 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

380 is Loctite's version of 'crazy-glue'.

 

Loctite 380 aka Black Max is a rubber-toughened instant adhesive for bonds where great impact/peel strength is needed. The rubber particles give it it's black color.

 

Krazy Glue and similar glues are general-purpose, fast-setting cyanoacrylates (CA). They set very rapidly but are not well suited for bonding items that experience repetitive shock, as the bond is brittle;

[Sedalia Dave]

41 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Loctite 380 aka Black Max is a rubber-toughened instant adhesive for bonds where great impact/peel strength is needed. The rubber particles give it it's black color.

 

Krazy Glue and similar glues are general-purpose, fast-setting cyanoacrylates (CA). They set very rapidly but are not well suited for bonding items that experience repetitive shock, as the bond is brittle;

 

Loctite 648 (Green) and Loctite 262, 271, 272 (Red) are also shock and impact resistant.

 

I'm pretty sure the adhesive that comes with "Sure Hit" sights is Loctite 648 (Green)

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Loctite 380 aka Black Max is a rubber-toughened instant adhesive for bonds where great impact/peel strength is needed. The rubber particles give it it's black color.

 

Krazy Glue and similar glues are general-purpose, fast-setting cyanoacrylates (CA). They set very rapidly but are not well suited for bonding items that experience repetitive shock, as the bond is brittle;

I have used it, it's great! No, it isn't for vibration or constant shock.

I have reattached a few Ruger front sights over the years using the red stud and bearing Loctite and using the oven to set it. To date I have not heard of any of the sights coming loose. Even after dropping one when I missed the holster.

[SouthwestShooter]

11 hours ago, X Mark said:

You really don't need no stinkin' sights . Shoot outlaw instead.

The sight s are extraneous to the game !!

  Good luck with the repair !

He's right as rain.

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

Silly me I would get a hold of Ruger and let them fix it

[Sedalia Dave]

2 minutes ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said:

Silly me I would get a hold of Ruger and let them fix it

 

If you send Ruger a gun that has been smithed for CAS, (Short stroked, SBH hammer, reduced power springs, etc) it'll come back restored to as built from the factory. You may or may not get your parts back.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

6 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

If you send Ruger a gun that has been smithed for CAS, (Short stroked, SBH hammer, reduced power springs, etc) it'll come back restored to as built from the factory. You may or may not get your parts back.

Plus, you pay one way for shipping. Who knows how long Ruger will have it.

[El Sobrante Kid]

10 hours ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said:

Silly me I would get a hold of Ruger and let them fix it

 

You are correct.

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

6 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Plus, you pay one way for shipping. Who knows how long Ruger will have it.

Has been about 30 years since I sent in an original vaquero but had it back 10 days from the date I shipped it. Given about 4 days in transit ruger had it out 6 days after receipt

 

It was a stock gun, had I a modified I would put factory parts back in before shipping just in case.

Edited December 15, 2025 by Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

2 hours ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said:

Has been about 30 years since I sent in an original vaquero but had it back 10 days from the date I shipped it. Given about 4 days in transit ruger had it out 6 days after receipt

 

It was a stock gun, had I a modified I would put factory parts back in before shipping just in case.

S&H is very expensive on guns today. 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

13 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

S&H is very expensive on guns today. 

Ruger and Smith & Wesson have sent me mailing labels and have had the guns less than 2 weeks. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

Ruger and Smith & Wesson have sent me mailing labels and have had the guns less than 2 weeks. 

Not as easy these days. BTDT.

Was a time you could just take it to UPS for shipping, not anymore. 

[Hud McCoy]

At the distances we shoot, pistol sights, who needs them......😁