SB front bead needed

[John Havard]

I can't tell if this missing front bead is press fit or threaded. This one is SN#177### so it's an early one. Any input from those in the know would be welcomed. Press fit or threaded?

[Jim DiSpagno]

I believe they were threaded and Conn.shotgun should have them

[Cold Spring]

No threads are involved. You’re looking at the ferrule from a Lyman or Marbles taper-fit sight. The ferrule must be removed to press in a replacement sight. Replacements are available from Brownells, Midway, etc but the bead is made of off-white polymer and doesn't have the look of real ivory. If your SB is original you're better of trying to find a genuine ivory replacement. Be sure to get the taper reamer too (usually comes with the sight) because there's some variation in sizing of the ferrules and you don’t want to have the new bead to sit high on the rib.

[John Davis]

You may want to reach out to Breck Gorman.

BTW, I usually remove the front bead. Just gets in the way.

[Mike Franzen]

Originally Posted by John Davis

You may want to reach out to Breck Gorman.

BTW, I usually remove the front bead. Just gets in the way.

My first thought when I started reading this thread was, “That gun must’ve belonged to John Davis”

[Phil Yearout]

NEGC and maybe Brownells has mammoth ivory beads with a shaft. They may take a bit of tinkering but they work great; I’ve used several of them. You can chuck them in a dremel and run it against fine sandpaper if you want a smaller size. Shaft will probably need turned down and shortened. Can be made to fit in your existing ferrul. Secure it with a drop of epoxy.