M44 - stubborn front sight

[kppodd]

Need help, please.

I bought an M44 in good condition, and test-fired it at the range with two different types of ammunition. Both group well but land significantly to the left (5" at 100 yards).

So I tried moving the fronf sight. First I used a hammer and a punch and hammered it pretty good - to no avail. Then I tried a C-clamp with a ball-tipped screw and broke the clamp (well, it was pretty weak) but the sight did not move. I saw a front sight adjustment tool sold online but it only fits smaller sight on M91/30 and not the bigger one on the M44.

What do I do next? Does anyone know a gunsmith in the SF Bay Area who can move the sight? I need it moved approximately 0.6 mm...

Thanks in advance!

 

[merk]

I saw a tool sold online but iy only fits smaller sight on M01/30 and not the bigger one on the M44.

I thought the only difference between any Nagant was basically where the bayonet went(if any) and the length of barrel. Maybe ive never looked that closely between the two

 

[lionking]

I'm having the same problem with my Hungarian M44.I even put kroil oil on it and it is still unmoving.And no the M91 sight tool won't work I tried the sight band is different.

I gave up on it for now until I get motivate again,got a vacation starting so enough about guns for a while.

 

[kppodd]

Unfortunately, there is a difference. M44 has a beefier base for the front sight than the earlier models. I would have bought the tool for M91/30 but I don't have the tools to modfy it.

I thought of one possible reason why the front sight is so hard to move. It is possible that it was set before the whole barrel assembly was blued. If I am not mistaken, the bluing process (back in 1948) was basically baking the thing after spraying it with oil... at least the sight LOOKS like it's been blued after it was set. The baking could have made it hard to move.

 

[snakeman]

try a teflon mallet and put your gun in a vise then use a punch. The sight is hooded so be sure not to warp the hood into an oval. I had an m44 and the sight moves on it of its own free will. Next move to a 5lb. sledge. If that doesn't work give up and get a scout mount and red dot.

 

[kppodd]

Thanks.

Actually, being careful about the sight hood is why I didn't go very far with hammering.

I'll try the vice this time. I thought about it then but I had concerns about it warping (making slightly oval the cross-section of) the barrel

 

[snakeman]

Fair enough. Combathunting.com has good deals on scout type mounts I think its about $11.00.

 

[kppodd]

That's a awesome site!

Thanks!

 

[snakeman]

no problem i use that site all the time great deals! They typically sell really good products too

 

[Mot45acp]

Before trying to persuade any more I might suggest one lil thing.

As asinine as you will look doing it, try shooting it with the bayonet fixed.

It has been reported that the guns were initially sighted in this way. The bayonet putting strain on the barrel as well as having an effect on barrel harmonics. Thus fixing your problem.

Plus the bayonet can be stabbed into the ground making a "go anywhere" rifle rest.

 

[snakeman]

this is true

 

[Rubber_Duck]

OP, shoot your M44 with the bayonet EXTENDED.

 

[foghornl]

My M-44 has about a 4" windage shift with bayo folded vs extended.

Two Added "Bennies" to shooting with bayo extended...

Looks cool

Can fend off a zombie or 2 while refilling the magazine...

 

[kppodd]

Yes - thanks for bringing up the bayonet. I did shoot it with the bayonet extended (folding it makes things worse indeed). But there is still that residual windage error to the left - about 5" at 100 yeards. I also tried two different ammo types - one with light ball (mine) and with heavy ball (friend's).

 

[snakeman]

don't know what else to tell you other than the scout mount that is a very nice solution. scoping it with an ati system is also helpful

 

[rangerruck]

believe it or not, try an ak front site tool...

 

[kppodd]

Hmmmm,..... I didn't think of the AK tool... I actually happen to own a Saiga-16. So I may need that tool someday (right now the sight is set correctly). Thanks for the tip!

 

[geo57]

I bought my 1st MN ( a 1944 M44 ) in Dec. , and after a few shots, I too needed to drift the front sight . Extending the bayonet did help some, but just as the OP stated, it being out helped, but shots still printed 3 " left at 25 yards. Since I really did not want to fool with the bayonet anyway for field / hunting use, I removed it & tapped the sight with a punch & hammer . A couple light taps moved it about 1/16 ", and subsequent rounds shot to POA out to 40 yards. You may have done this , but it is necessary to make sure your punch tip is small enough to deliver all energy to just the sight itself, and not being absorbed by the outer dovetail groove. You might try tapping it in the opposite direction at 1st just to loosen it . Often times ,a stubborn pipe connection, nuts on bolts, key in a dovetail, etc., situation can be won when applying energy this way.