Minor Setback
I knew the front sight hole drifted using the cheap drill press, but it's off more than I find acceptable. About 3" at 25yds. And of course I have no way to adjust of windage. DUH!
I'm thinking a clamp-on front sight mount, now. Remember, this is an on the cheap project, so under $20 is the goal. So taking it to a gun smith is out of the question. Two rifles come to mind with barrel band type front sights, a Ruger 10/22 and an M1 Carbine.
My barrel is .665 at the muzzle and from what I can tell a 10/22 standard barrel is .642. It shouldn't be too hard to file down the barrel a tad to make the 10/22 fit. Maybe it's time to resurrect my 10/22 project. I'm looking for a junker 10/22 just for the action. I'm going to re-barrel and restock it. I could re-purpose the front sight from that barrel.
Darn I missed a gun show last weekend. I have my cut off barrel piece so I can take that around to the show and see what junk I might adapt. I looked at maybe AR gas block, but they're a tad too large, typically .750, and also too expensive at $40-$100 dollars.
Of course if anyone has a spare 10/22 front sight...