m1 garand rear sight removal

[Pripyat]

I am messing around with an M1 garand. The rear sight aperture had a lot of windage slop. So I decided to disassemble the rear sight and see what was going on.

I cannot, get the rear sight cover off the weapon.

http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/striphtml/detailstripsight4.html

My cover spring does not look like the one pictured in the rear. It mates to the rifle and i see no groove or lip whatsoever on the rear of the cover spring. I have soaked the contact surfaces with kroil for 2 days to no avail. It is loose towards the front of the rifle but I can push on the rear with a screwdriver with much force and there isn't as much as a budge.

Any ideas on how to get this thing loose? Also tips on why the aperture is very loose would be appreciated.

 

[Reloadron]

Believe me in that all rear sight covers are pretty much the same as to form, function and fit to the receiver. Take a look at the below image of a few rear sight covers.



Note the scratches on the left cover, that portion is normally in the receiver and yes, there is a slot it fits into. The cover on the right better shows the curve in the cover (towards you as seen in the image). With the windage and elevation knobs removed you want to "pop" the base of the cover right at the receiver line using a dull object like as they mention a screwdriver with a protected tip. Truth be known I don't like using a screwdriver but it will be OK as long as the tip is covered. You are applying a pop pushing upward and forward and it should pop right out, especially since you have soaked it. I would set the screwdriver and pop it using the palm of my hand.

Slop in the windage adjustment can have several causes. There are rear sight tightening tools available but first you need to get that cover off. Believe me they are all the same and it is a tight fit.

Ron

 

[Pripyat]

Thanks for the reply. This piece is apparently extremely corroded/bound. I put nearly all my weight into the piece (pushing towards the front of the weapon) and nothing budged. I will take another crack at it when I get a chance. It is still wet with kroil.. I am debating getting a hammer out to knock it free and just replace the spring/cover.

 

[Reloadron]

Once you get it we will move to the other possible problems. I have had a few tight ones but yes, rust and or corrosion could be adding to it being stuck. My read is you are doing it correctly so stay on it. Yes, a hammer may be needed.

Ron

 

[Pripyat]

It took a screwdriver as well as a hard jolt.



Considering the spring was completely lodged in place and offered absolutely no springiness at all, I plan to replace the spring cover since it had some corrosion on it where the lip slipped into the receiver (on order) and reevaluate the rear sight play. All the sight pieces are soaking in mineral spirits overnight for a thorough scrubbing tomorrow. Thanks again for getting me on the right track!

 

[Reloadron]

Wow, yeah I guess that sucker was on there. You got it, soak the parts and use a brass brush to scrub them down.

You should see a nub as seen about 9 O'clock in the below image on the windage knob. That little nub mates with the cuts on the receiver for the elevation clicks:



Make sure it isn't worn.

Also you will see the mating humps on the windage adjustment knob, make sure they are not worn:



The elevation is a rack and pinion affair, make sure the gears on the elevation knob are not stripped or worn down:



The same is true for the aperture, make sure the gears look good:





Should you have any further questions just ask and I hope things go well for you.

Ron

 

[Pripyat]

So I cleaned all the parts, inspected, and reassembled. The cover plate now moves freely and is no longer bound. The aperture is still extremely loose. I would say the components themselves are at least 80%. The elevation and windage notches are very good. If I take my finger and press on the spring cover I can tell that it is not putting pressure on the rear sight. When I press down on the cover, there is no play at all in the sight. I ordered a new cover since I scratched the other one all up removing it. Is it most likely just a worn cover that is causing the sight play?

 

[BBBBill]

Read down towards the bottom - http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/AccurizingM1Garand_II.asp
At one time, Brownells sold the kit to swage the rear sight components to remove play. Not sure where you might find that now. Or you can buy the match rear from Fulton Armory.

 

[Reloadron]

Read down towards the bottom - http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/AccurizingM1Garand_II.asp
At one time, Brownells sold the kit to swage the rear sight components to remove play. Not sure where you might find that now. Or you can buy the match rear from Fulton Armory.

I still have a Brownell's Garand/M14/M1A/BM-59 Rear Sight Tightening Tool that was a Brownell's Part #080-727-114 but haven't seen that tool offered in years. Can't find one on the Brownells site or other sites selling tools for working on Garands. They may have discontinued the tool would be my guess.

Ron

 

[Orlando]

New cover should take care of your problem.

 

[Pripyat]

I put the new cover on last night - Night and day difference. I didn't think I was going to be able to get it back together for a moment or so the fit was so tight.

The rear aperture doesn't so much as budge now. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Reloadron]

Yay, a happy ending.

Ron