Front sight removal

[John Canuck]

Ok, so I'm getting around to a little project I've had on my bench for a few months. I thought I knew how to get the fixed from sight off an AR, but it appears to be currently beating me. I know the pins are tapered, so I've been trying to drive them out from the small side, but they will not budge. My thumb is currently pissed at me also! The front sight is soaking in penetrating oil right now. So, what am I missing?

Edit to make sense :?

 

[TheGriff]

My thumb is currently pissed at me also! It's soaking in penetrating oil right now. So, what am I missing?

You're soaking your thumb in penetrating oil?? :shock: :shock: j/k

I'm anxious to hear how this turns out.

 

[John Canuck]

My thumb is currently pissed at me also! It's soaking in penetrating oil right now. So, what am I missing?

You're soaking your thumb in penetrating oil?? :shock: :shock: j/k

I'm anxious to hear how this turns out.

English is my first language, I promise. I edited to make it make sense. My thumb is on ice, not PO.

 

[94formulabird]

Think I saw it on here

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782 ... ions_.html

 

[John Canuck]

It looks like I'm doing it right. I noticed the poster said he had to dremel one FSB down to get it off. We will see how the penetrating oil works first.

 

[11B3XCIB]

Just hammering them out is really the only method I'd try. Would a little bit of heat help it out? I read somewhere a guy suggested a small drill bit and a drill press since taper pins are easily replaced because another forum member could not budge them, but I'd think long and hard about that.

Not trying to insult intelligence but don't forget about the gas tube pin. Good luck!

 

[Tigerstripe]

ive taken some out after seeing Andy take some out. there didnt seem to be a problem.

i just went and miked the holes on a sight thats off. the big holes are on the driver side, ejection port side. small holes are on the other. so punch from the bolt release side, if you didnt know. and you might know if its locked down in a vise it will be easier.

hope that helps.

you can warm it up with about 30 rds.

 

[Clicker]

The pins can be stubborn. I was introduced to a tool by another member here called the Spring Tool nail set. This thing is great for installing roll pins or removing taper pins from the FSB. There are some You Tube videos showing people setting nails with them.

It will require the barrel to be held by someone or clamped down to a bench since it takes two hands to operate the nail set tool.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FK3W0U/?tag=palmettoshooters-20

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Remember, if its a S&W M&P, the pins may be reversed (small side vs large side). Don't know why, they just are.

 

[John Canuck]

Ok, pins are out the normal way. After a substantial amount of hammering, they slid right out. The roll pin was much easier

Now, if I can just get the sight to budge. More penetrating oil.

 

[Dave29461]

Put the cold pack from your finger on the barrel and heat the sight with a heat gun.Gently tap forward backwards and side to side with rubber or taped brass hammer. Sounds silly but has worked for me.

 

[11B3XCIB]

I'd coat the barrel IN FRONT of the sight with oil also, so when it slides loose it won't scrape up your barrel and just slide right off.

 

[John Canuck]

Lots of PO and a heat gun finally allowed my to get this thing off. Now I just need to figure out how to get it back on.

 

[rotarymike]

Mine was a PiTA to get off too. Once off, I discovered the gas port had a slight burr to it. Used emery paper to clean up the gas port and now it goes on and off with mild taps of a brass hammer.

 

[John Canuck]

I hope that's the case. It took substantial persuasion to get off. Since most of that persuasion was on the bayonet lug, which is now cut off, I'm not about to be as persuasive in the other direction.

 

[John Canuck]

I know everyone was concerned about whether I'd be able to get the front sight back on or not. Thanks for suggesting I look for a burr in the gas port. That was it. Please all rest easy not that I've gotten it back together with the new hand guard on.

 

[beerman]

Looks good!

 

[Midnight Raver]

Yes, very nice configuration!

 

[11B3XCIB]

Hey John, looks good. What kind of rail is that? I don't want to get rid of my fixed front sight post and have been debating a drop-in rail, but if I can get a not-too-expensive free float, I'd consider it. Thanks.

 

[John Canuck]

Apex -> http://www.apexhandguard.com/store.php? ... &pd=347061

I was looking for a smaller diameter than the standard hand guard (I have short fingers so this diameter works much better for me). This is the lightest one I could find and the texture is great. It's not cheap though.