Removal of SKS takedown lever latch pin

[Seminole]

I have recently acquired a Norinco SKS on which I want to install Tech-Sight's aperture sight. The instructions say that I should remove the latch pin in the takedown lever so that I can completely remove the takedown lever from the rifle. However, that little bugger of a pin is in there really tight!

I know that many folks on THR have installed Tech-Sights, so I'm asking for advice: what is the best way to remove the pin without permanently destroying the takedown lever?

 

[AndyM]

I have a Yugo and I had to file off the pin of my take down lever.

It didn't permanently destroy my take down lever. It merely removed the pin that prevents the take down lever from being removed from the receiver.

I followed there procedures: http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2005/skstechsight/index.asp

In figure 9, he used a dremel tool. I used a file.

I don't know about Norinco, but I had to destroy the pin. However, this did not destroy the whole lever. If I wanted to take off the tech site and put the lever back in, it would work fine. I would just have to watch so it didn't fall out.

Perhaps your Norinco uses a different method for holding in the lever. I am not familiar with those.
Andy

 

[Seminole]

Thanks for the response, AndyM. I'm familiar with the article on surplusrifles.com. While the author, like you, had to destroy the pin, he says:

n Imost cases you can either drive the pin out from behind or pull it out.

I'm trying to find out how people have succeeded in pulling out the pins in their takedown levers (the pin in mine doesn't go all the way through the lever, so there's no way to "drive it out from behind").

 

[railroader]

You can buy replacement levers on line if you mess yours up. Mark

 

[Ifishsum]

I had to grind mine off too. Replacement parts are only $10 or so.

The crosspin not only keeps the big pin from coming out of the receiver, it also locks it into place on the far side - without that crosspin the receiver cover pin will not stay in place at all.

 

[Domino]

I just put a hacksaw to mine in order to get it off. I love my Tech sight by the way, HUGE improvement.

 

[AndyM]

Ifishsum said:

The crosspin not only keeps the big pin from coming out of the receiver, it also locks it into place on the far side - without that crosspin the receiver cover pin will not stay in place at all.

I didn't know that. In that case, cutting off the cross pin does permanently destroy the latch pin.

Learn something new everyday.

Andy

 

[mainmech48]

IIRC, that pin is a "roll" pin. They can be removed from a 'blind' hole, it just takes some doing.

There are collet type devices which compress the pin lengthwise so that they can be started (and in some models completely inserted) into the hole more easily. In those models they cover the entire length of the pin. If enough of a stub has been left it's just a matter of working the pin free by twisting it back and forth while pulling it towards you.

The main problem with trying to do this with another type of grasping tool like pliers is that most of the force exerted on the pin is concentrated on too small an area, and in the wrong way.

The result is not getting enough compression laterally, along the axis of the pin, to release the part that's in the hole so it can be pulled out. And usually winds up crushing the pin at the point of compression and twisting it in two trying to force it out.

If you choose to grind, file or cut off some of the pin in order to remove the latch, leave as much of a stub as possible. you might be able to use a roll pin starter tool and some penetrating oil to remove it completely.

Then you can just get a new roll pin of the proper diameter to install and trim to fit.

Another option, IMO, is to just keep the retaining bolt arrangement (or a spare) from your Tech sight or B-Square-type scope mount and use it.

 

[Seminole]

The main problem with trying to do this with another type of grasping tool like pliers is that most of the force exerted on the pin is concentrated on too small an area, and in the wrong way.

Yep. I tried getting it out with some pliers, but that didn't seem to work. I really hate to grind it off, but I may have to bite the bullet (so to speak) and do that, and then order a replacement. I just don't like destroying things if it can at all be helped.

 

[556A2]

Slightly Off Topic

I'm debating on buying a set of Tech-Sights for my Norinco SKS. The question I have is when you remove them for cleaning, do they have a tendency to loose zero?