Tip for getting front sight off an M1 carbine?

[Ratzinger_p38]

I cannot get the darn thing to pop off, the pin will just not budge. I have been using a hole puncher, and it just wont move.

Any one here removed one before? I could use some advise.

 

[dfariswheel]

The pin is staked in place.
The "trick" is to get the front sight in a well-braced, no-bounce set up.

Use hardwood blocks and a buddy to help hold it steady.
If the rifle moves or bounces at all, the force of the blow is dissipated, and you run the risk of deforming the pin and locking it tighter in place.

Another tip is to use a "starter punch". This is just a standard pin punch cut off to about a 1/2" working length.
The shorter punch won't bend or flex and will direct the force to the pin.

Once the pin is started moving, switch to a standard length punch to drive it all the way out.
The pin is usually removed from left to right.

Once the pin is out, the front sight must be slide forward off the barrel.
Use a hard wood block against the sight and tap it with a light hammer.
DO NOT just hammer against the top rear of the sight.
This may distort the band and cause it to lock tighter.

Under the sight is a key and a key way slot.
The key is staked into the slot and is removed by pulling it upward.

Note that some Carbine front sights are an EXTREMELY tight fit and may not want to come off or go on easily.
This is why Ordnance used special front sight pullers and installing tools.

One trick for installing super tight sights is top put the barrel and receiver in a freezer overnight, and warm the sight to about 300 degrees in an oven.
Work quickly before the barrel warms or the sight cools to press it on with a block of wood and light hammer.

 

[DonP]

Make sure the drift you are using to drive out the roll pin matches the OUSIDE diameter of the pin.

I've seen cases where someone uses a drift that is too small and slips into the roll pin center and the more they pound the tighter it locks it up.

A little Liquid Wrench or other penetrating lube on the barrel end helps a little too. Just give it some time to soak in.

Ditto on carefully tapping the sight forward. Keep moving your block of wood or bronze drift around the sight circumfrenece to ease it forward.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Thanks guys, I finally managed to work it off. I had to take it to my local gun shop, they had brass punches and a hammer made for that sort of thing. Came right off, and the sight was even easier.

I will have to post pics of the finished project. Just waiting on the safety, and it will be done. I decided to leave on some of the 'mix master' parts such as the Saginaw 'dimple' style Type III trigger housing - gives the rifle a little character.