M1A/M14 front sight screw removal.

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Lat22

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What does it take to unscrew that thing? It's not an Allen wrench and I don't think it's a torx tool (at least not one that I have). Thanks in advance.
 
I believe it's a 1/16 Allen screw. If it's tight, don't try forcing it. Just soak it in oil for a while until you can gently break it loose.
 
There are two allen drive screws used to secure the front sight to the flash suppressor and flash suppressor to the barrel by screw locking the castle nut in place.

The allen drive sizes can vary.
Select a size that best fits the screw head.
Soak the screw in penetrating oil, I like Kroil oil for this purpose, many are rust/carbon frozen. It may take a day ior two of soaking before the penetrating oil gets down through the thread shaft.

Use a short piece of small diameter metal pipe as a cheater bar, slide it over the end of the allen wrench, short end of the wrench in the screw socket, shaft of the wrench and cheater pipe facing right, weapon barrel secured.
Lefty loosey, so turn the screw counter clockwise when looking at the screw from the receiver side for the front sight screw and from the muzzle side when looking at the castle nut securing screw.

If the screw still won't turn free using a moderate amount of force, use a propane torch to apply some heat to the screw and the area surrounding it until they become uncomfortable hot to the touch.
Do this in a ventilated area as the penetrating oil will smoke and the fumes are not healthy.
Quickly reapply the wrench and cheater pipe and the screw should break free.HTH
 
On my particular M1a, a 2008 vintage Scout/Squad, the front sight screw requires a 3/32" hex key (Allen wrench). The fit is less than perfect, however. I'll concur with others on this thread as to the use of penetrating oil and/or heat to loosen the screw.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. The heat did the trick. I'm back in business.
 
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