Mosin rear sight pin removal.

[twinhairdryers]

So I decided to try out a gadget on my M44 Mosin by adding a scope rail. Step 1 in everything I read was remove the upper pin holding the rear leaf spring and sight bar. Should be a 5 minute job at best including finding the punch and hammer. I have spent nearly 15 minutes whacking at it with the proper size punch and get the darn thing to budge one bit. Anyone else have this issue before? May not be unique to this Mosin, but how do you remove a super tight assembly pin from a steel gun part?

 

[Jim K]

They should come out left to right, but I don't know any other "tricks." The best tool is a cup type punch (Brownells has them), but a regular punch should work. Use (or make) a short punch as a starter, then switch to the longer punch after the pin moves.

If the pin is rusted in, then try the normal soaking in a penetrant before going any further. Heating the sight leaf in the pin area may help also (not too hot!).

Jim