Removing Dovetailed Sight

[cliff355]

Dumb question here gents, but I am considering replacing the rear sight on one of my lever rifles (Browning B-92) with another one, and it is dovetailed to the barrel as is the replacement. What I am wondering is, should I bang the old one out from right to left or left to right? Also, what kind of drift punch is best for this - nylon tipped or brass tipped? Maybe some equipment other than a drift punch is required, and if so please advise.

Also, how much "fitting" is typically necessary for installing a new sight into the dovetail? I have some small gunsmithing files which are probably equal to the task, but if this is too complicated maybe I shouldn't even start on it. Thanks for any replies, since I have never dealt with dovetails before.

 

[dfariswheel]

The "standard" is to drive the sight out from LEFT to RIGHT, (as you are looking down the barrel).

A good tool is a brass or nylon drift and a light hammer.
Usually these sights aren't hard to move.

I suggest bracing the rifle on a good, firm bench, so you get a "no bounce" setup. If necessary, get someone to help hold it in place.
Just tap the sight out with light blows.

Almost all modern rifles have an industry standard 3/8" dovetail, and almost all sights use the same standard, so the new sight should go back in without problems, or fitting.

Replace from RIGHT to LEFT.

If you run into problems with the sight not going in, STOP, and take it to a gunsmith.
In all likelihood, you won't have any trouble with this, just make sure the new sight is going in straight. If you allow it to tip or cant, it may SEEM like it's too big.

Of course, if the new sight has locking screws, loosen them first.

 

[cliff355]

Thanks for the into. It all sounds doable, so I will go ahead and order up a sight.