M1 Carbine Front sight keyway repair

[Belacreilloc]

My grandpa just gave me his sporterized M1 Carbine
After taking it apart and cleaning it before taking it out and shooting it for the first time I noticed that the 1960's POS scope mount that was attached to the side of the receiver is actually being hit and forced upwards slightly every time I cycle the action.
So I thought I could just remove the crappy old scope get a set of iron sights and enjoy it the way it was intended to be shot. After looking online about how a front sight is attached I discovered that the keyway on the front of the rifle had the key pounded down in it and the front sight key was stoned down flush with the rest of the barrel to make the barrel smooth.

Any bright ideas short of clamping the barrel in a mill and milling the key out of the keyway to allow me to attach a front sight?

Also assuming I can manage to get the key out anyone have recommendations on where to purchase/ what type of front and rear sights are best for my carbine

 

[beag_nut]

I'd go for milling the slot. But that's just me.

 

[carbine85]

A picture might help.
I would plan on cutting a new key way.
Is this a GI rifle?

 

[N.Schafer]

Milling a key way would be ideal. You could also soft solder the front base on, but you wouldn't be able to remove the front band. Or drill and tap the front base for a set screw or two.

 

[Jim K]

The original installation did NOT involve having the key "pounded down" or the keyway milled flat. The key is simply laid in the slot, the sight driven on over it, and the sight pin installed and staked. Apparently someone decided to "improve" the sight mounting and messed things up. Unless they really made a mess of things, you should be able to pry the remains of the key out of the slot and install the correct key, pin, and front sight with no problem.

Jim

 

[Belacreilloc]

Here are a few pictures to show what the front of the barrel looks like as well as a few of the gun over all. Hopefully the forum hasn't resized them so much you can't see the outline of the keyway:

IMG_1921

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

IMG_1920

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

IMG_1919

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

IMG_1918

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

IMG_1917

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

IMG_1915

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

M1 Carbine Sight Repair

• Belacreilloc
• Jul 18, 2017

 

[carbine85]

Restoring it with a mix of GI parts can get expensive. Restoring back to original is very expensive. The important barrel markings are gone and I'm guessing the front sight won't fit tight since the barrel is polished. By the time you restore this one you can pick up a GI rifle for less. I think I would just leave it the way Grandpa gave it to you and fix the scope mount.

 

[Sunray]

Geezuz but you take a dandy picture. Nicely done.
How long is the barrel? It looks kind of new or at least grandpa had the thing blued. I think the barrel may have been turned at the front sight too. That's just a WHAG though.
The rear sight base has the scope mount peened in. Fairly easy fix with fine files and gentle application of same. The front key way not so much. Maybe. The keys were put into the key way then whacked forward to set 'em and then staked in place. If you can get something into the front of the key way in front of filed down key you might be able to get it out. The key, front and rear sight will require replacing, of course.
Gunparts has 'em. Not cheap though. $41.80 for a "Middle Issue" rear sight. $5.70 for a repro key. $2.35 for the front sight pin. $12.50 for the front sight. They have bayonet lugs too and stocks and hand guard sets starting at $127.30 with no metal. They have the metal and slides to replace the chromed one too.
On an unfiddled with Carbine, removing the front sight requires the barrel be put into a padded vice with a couple inches out. Then there's brass rods and mallets involved. There's a how-to here on page 73, under 'M1 Carbine', oddly enough. Note the need for the provided UN & PW.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/