[Cosmoline]

Well I've been trying to remove the front sight on a 1915 Schmidt-Rubin long rifle to replace it with an aftermarket high sight, but the thing is really in there. I'm also out of kroil, which annoys me no end. Anyway I'm tapping away at it with a brass hammer last night trying to get some movement when all the sudden both front and rear sights cant way out of place! I freak out but realize I've just started unscrewing the barrel.

Then the real surprise. I take the stock off and lo and behold the barrel unscrews easily by hand and has not a flek of rust on it. The threads look brand new after almost a century. I've never seen the like.

Now I'm wondering A) how I"m going to get the front sight off and B) how to get the barrel back on properly. Should I use threadlock or just clean it up and screw it back in when the time comes.

[PTK]

Similar happened to my sporterized 1911 - I just screwed it back in tightly with a strap wrench. No problems so far, though I've only run 12 rounds through it.

Now, before anyone jumps on me about having a sporterized 1911 - it was $35, and I saved it from quite literally being junked.


As for how to get that front sight off, if you have a vise, clamp the barrel between two 2x4s with V grooves in them, tighten it down so that the wood compresses and holds the barrel tightly. The front sight should drift out easily with a brass punch and hammer.

Failing that, try some solvent (acetone or the like), or hit the sight with a propane torch for a moment. Either would loosen the crud that might be holding it there.

[Cosmoline]

Hadn't thought of the torch, but I'll try it. Man, I miss my kroil. I tried to order more from Midway but it's now deemed Hazmat. Everything that works is ultimately toxic.

[PTK]

I'll be placing an already hazmat order from Midway in a week or so, PM me with your address and I'll send you a bottle.

[Cosmoline]

Well sadly the problem is getting to Alaska. If I lived in the lower 48 I could get it via ground UPS from them. They used to be able to send it up here, but not anymore.

[PTK]

I can send it without having a problem, as far as I understand. FedEx or DHL failing UPS or USPS.