Removing SKS rear sight

[normnip]

I wonder if I’ve found an easier way to remove an SKS rear sight. I hope someone will try this and confirm. I don’t think this old news.

I wanted to install a Mojo peep sight I received just a few days ago. I removed the underlying short gas piston after taking off the gas tube. After spending a couple of hours trying to press the damn leaf spring far enough to remove the rear sight, I gave up.

I had the rifle vise-gripped in my small pressed-wood portable Workmate work table. I laid the sight down form the vertical position so there was minimal pressure on the leaf spring. Then I placed the corner of my screwdriver into the dimple in the leaf spring and firmly hammered/tapped it in the direction of the muzzle, It popped right out. I was easily able to lift it out and then lightly tap out the rear sight!

I hammered the leaf spring back in. I then placed the screw driver in the hole provided on the Mojo peep sight and pushed or lightly hammered (I can’t remember) it into place.

 

[wally]

I haven't done an SKS recently, but I recall it was the same as for the AK which I've done a few recently. Fastest way is set the rifle on the floor with the muzzle and pistol grip/stock touching and hold it vertical between your knees. Then get a punch or large screwdriver, place it on the front of the sight leaf and give it a good whack with a hammer -- the sight pops right off.

 

[normnip]

On my Saiga (an AK-47 clone) all I did was press it down with the screwdriver in one hand and pulled the sight out with the other. I guess some are a lot more of a pain than others: my SKS, for example. The SKS leaf was out-of-this-world hard - or maybe it was catching on something. Anyway, the above technique seems to be a little known or even unknown solution. I hope someone else gives it a try and confirms it.