Vang Comp Systems Ghost Ring Sight Installation

Vang Comp Systems front sight

Remington recently sent us a Remington Express Synthetic Express shotgun, model 25549, with a bead sighted 18″ IC barrel.  While its a perfectly serviceable gun from the factory, we couldn’t wait to work on it and contacted Brownells to order a set of Vang Comp Systems (VCS) ghost ring sights.

Vang Comp Systems ghost ring shotgun sights offer shooters a durable sighting system that can be installed on Remington 870/1100/1187 shotguns .  The Vang Comp utilizes a front sight that is silver soldered to the barrel in conjunction with a rear sight that is drilled and tapped into the receiver.  The rear sight includes a mounting rail and micro adjustable windage and elevation.

In addition to a torch (we used an acetylene torch to silver solder the front sight) and a few tools we had lying around, we ordered the following from Brownells:

Prior to working on the gun, we confirmed that it was safe & empty.  Since we are working with high heat and an open flame, we took the time to make sure we donned all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).  We used the torch outside and had a fire extinguisher present.

Vang Comp Systems Front Sight Installation:

Vang Comp Systems front sight assembly as supplied. The front sight is steel in the white and utilizes an AR-15 style front sight assembly, located in the bag. This includes an XS tritium front sight post, a front sight detent and detent spring. The tool on the left is used for screwing the front sight into place.
To install the Vang Comp front sight, the bead base needs to be removed. This can be machined or filed off. Since we were silver soldering, we decided to heat it off. The bead base is small and heats quickly. Once it released, we immediately stopped applying heat.
Applying heat to the bead base.
Here is the barrel once the bead base was heated off. Notice the blind hole drilled in the end of the barrel used to center the bead base at the factory. Later, we will utilize this hole to index the front sight.
Once the barrel has cooled, we remove any excess factory brazing material with emery cloth.
Next, we index the front sight through the hole of the Vang Comp Systems front sight to the blind hole in the barrel.   Note, the sight is hanging over the muzzle, it is slid back prior to final installation.  Once the sight is indexed, make witness marks on each side with a carbide scribe .
Test fitting the front sight in place. If you look carefully, you can see the witness marks we scribed into the barrel to center the sight.
We used Brownells 355 Silvaloy Ribbon silver solder and flux. The ribbon is 1/2″ wide; the same width as the front sight, in this case.
After degreasing the end of the barrel and the front sight, the surfaces to be joined are cleaned with emery cloth and flux is applied. A piece of the silver solder ribbon is placed in between the sight and the barrel and everything is secured using a clamp and V-block.  Once secured, we install the barrel back into the receiver to ensure that the sight isn’t canted.
Back outside, we heat the sight and top of the barrel. Heat Stop is applied to the rear of the sight (not shown in this pick). Once the solder flows, the piece is left to rest until it has cooled.
Removing the clamp, the front sight is now installed. The barrel now needs to be finished before the rest of the front sight assembly gets installed.
After installing the front sight detent and detent spring, the tritium front sight is simply screwed into place.
Vang Comp Systems front sight is ready for the range.

Vang Comp Systems Rear Sight Installation:

Installation of the Vang Comp Systems rear ghost ring sight with rail  requires removing the stock, bolt and slide assemblies as well as the trigger plate.  You can find how we did that here:

The Vang Comp Systems rear sight provides a rail to mount optics, as well as a micro adjustable ghost- ring rear aperture. Installation of the rear sight requires disassembly of the rear receiver, as well as drilling and tapping four holes for mounting screws and drilling one clearance hole for the rear sight.
Using our digital calibers and the supplied template, we located the five holes we need to drill. 4 of the holes use a #29 drill bit and will be tapped with a 8-36 tap (the directions stated 8-40 which had been crossed out in blue pen and changed to 8-36- make sure you order the right tap). A #19 drill bit is used to make the through clearance hole to allow elevation adjustments of the sight.
After centering the receiver in a pair of brass vise jaws, we locate the hole and center-drill it.
All 5 of the holes are drilled through the receiver.  We lightly coat the drill bit with Do-Drill oil between holes.
Lightly coating an 8-36 tap in Do-Drill oil, we tap the holes, ensuring the tap is perpendicular to the receiver. Every quarter turn, we back the tap out just enough to break the chip. This prevents the tap from binding and possibly breaking.
Using our MAGNA-TIP driver and some blue thread lock, we attach the rear sight to the receiver.