View Full Version : Sight WON'TCome Off!?
rugerdaddy
11-25-2006, 00:13
I wanted to install a barrel shroud and eventually a muzzle brake on my ranch (197 series), but although the roll pin popped out easily, I couldn't budge the front sight. I placed the barrel crown-down into a piece of wood (covered with a piece of leather to protect the crown) and hit the sight with a mallet and a block of wood. The wood splintered, but the sight didn't move. So, like all good mechanics, I figured I needed a Bigger Hammer! I got a heavier mallet and hardwood, but I was hitting the thing so hard I swore the barrel was going to bend, so I gave up. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.
I wanted to install a barrel shroud and eventually a muzzle brake on my ranch (197 series), but although the roll pin popped out easily, I couldn't budge the front sight. I placed the barrel crown-down into a piece of wood (covered with a piece of leather to protect the crown) and hit the sight with a mallet and a block of wood. The wood splintered, but the sight didn't move. So, like all good mechanics, I figured I needed a Bigger Hammer! I got a heavier mallet and hardwood, but I was hitting the thing so hard I swore the barrel was going to bend, so I gave up. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.
Did you already try putting some penetrating oil on it overnight, and then heating it up really good with say a hairdryer? On a couple of different occasions, this approach has helped me get really tight items off my rifles, including sights.
rugerdaddy
11-25-2006, 12:19
Good idea. I'll try it. Won't be for awhile, but when I do I'll post to let you know how it went.
Make sure to let the penetrating oil soak overnight, and stand up the rifle in a way that gravity works FOR you, so the oil works it way down into and under the sight band. Then just heat the heck out of it with the hairdryer, for 5 to 10 minutes, and I bet it'll come off. If it won't after that, and if you don't have any other special gunsmith tools, personally I'd go get a smith rather than risk damaging your gun just to save the $25 or $30 they'd probably charge you to slip this thing off.
rugerdaddy
11-25-2006, 19:12
Roger. And don't worry, I'm a beer drinker, so I know how to make gravity work in my favor!
rugerdaddy
11-25-2006, 22:46
Gear puller??
I'll see your ?? and raise you a?:D
If you look how a gear puller works,you may be able to adapt one for applying pulling pressure on the sight.Protect the muzzel,clamp the pulling arms to the receiver end of the sight,screw the puller to apply pulling pressure and tap lightly to free.
Definitely pre-soak in penetrating oil.
Ak barrel removal method.
Good Luck and Happy Tapping:wacko:
rugerdaddy
11-26-2006, 09:47
I'll see your ?? and raise you a?
You win. I'm outta ?s. :(
But, now I get the puller idea. That's very good- I'll try it. Now you guys got me excited about trying again, so I'm gonna do this soon. I'll post to let you know how your ideas worked. Thanks. :)
rugerdaddy
11-27-2006, 18:32
Good ideas. Didn't work. Soaked the penetrating oil overnight, then tried the puller, but there wasn't enough of a lip on the sight for the puller to grab. So, I tried the mallet and wooden block again, but to no avail. I guess I'll have to have a gunsmith do it. Thanks anyway guys.
hylander
11-27-2006, 21:19
Did you try Heat, you need to heat it up.
Hylander is right, you've gotta do the pentrating oil AND the heat--together--and THEN get out your mallet. That's what I was talking about in my first post above. When I tried taking a front sight off a 10/22 at home one time recently, I did the same as you: first tried using a mallet plus a plastic punch; then added oil and that didn't work. Then combined oil, plus heat, plus used the punch, and THAT is what got it out.
gunrun45
11-28-2006, 13:18
Do you have a bench vise?
you cand put the weapon in the bench vise to that the muzzle crown is up and the barrel passes through the vise jaws hanging down. Close the vise onthe barrel just enough that it catches on the lip of the front sight ring. Get out a wooden block or wood mallet and go to town on the muzzle. This will force the barrel back through the front sight base.
I haven't had one resist this method yet. It provides an even amount of force and you don't have to worry about bending the barrel. Just make sure you have something bellow to catch the gun as it drops free of the vise.
PS. I Don't recomend putting the vise jaws around the front sight base. This only puts more pressure around the barrel and will really ding up your front sight base.
rugerdaddy
11-28-2006, 16:54
Did you try Heat, you need to heat it up.
Oops. Rule No. 1: Follow directions. :blink:
I'll try it again and let you know how it works when tech data is followed correctly.
Also, thanks to timlt and gunrun45 for your additional input and ideas.
Maybe try using vinegar, if there is crud that has welded the site on the acid in vinegar may break it loose.
Also I got some Hoppe's Elite cleaner in a small spray bottle that may help break the hold, Wal-Mart has for about $5-6.
-tri
maybe: let soak in oil then put it in the freezer over night. take a soldering iron or a mini torch to the front sight only, try not to heat the barrel directly. then wack away with the mallet. thats how i changed the gears on the cams for my car without a press. i dunno that would be my last resort suggestion. either that or pull it like a tooth, tie a string to the door nob....slam the door...jk:)
Maybe it's time to get out the dremel tool and cut the sight. Brownells has more of them it you want to put it back on. kwg
rugerdaddy
12-02-2006, 18:53
You guys have been so good to offer all this advice- heat, oil, vinegar (sounds like a cooking class), and I'd so much like to try some of this so we could all see what works, but I've decided to send my mini to Gundoc for a barrel shortening, trigger job, and other stuff. So, it becomes a moot point. However, if any consollation, I'll post photos of it when it comes back.
(Hey, maybe I could have him cut the barrel off with the sight still on it, then send the cut piece back to me so I can try to take the sight off !!............ Naaahhh.)
Thanks for all your interest and advice.
Oh yea, now that opens the door for lots of cool threaded muzzle breaks! Then get one of the Lee Hadaway sights for it!
-tri
mrmini14
12-03-2006, 23:28
Hi guys, just wanted to add my 2 cents, I have a new 580 series mini 14 and also tried removing the sight to add a new sight and muzzle brake.
I had the exact same problem, I easily popped out the pin to find that it is all but impossible to remove the sights on these newer minis.
I am a machinist and from my experience it seems to be that the newer minis have a "shrink fit" sight where the sight is heated and the barrel is cooled, then they are pressed together, once the barrel warms up and the sight cools the two pieces are almost fused together, I honestly don't understand why Ruger even bothers with the pin, the sight isn't going anywhere.
Long story short, I ended up leaving the stock sight on, and modifying it and my muzzle brake to go together as a press fit, I steered clear of using a small gear puller because 1-it wouldn't be strong enough to remove the shrink fit sight, and 2-it would ruin my muzzle crown most likely.
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