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AR-15 A1 Sight Help

addpillz
Hello experts!
I have just purchased my first AR-15 over Christmas! I decided to go all-out and get a 1984 Colt SP1. Whe I received the rifle it was in immaculate condition except for one minor flaw. The windage adjustment wheel that is attached to the A1 sights is horribly scratched and a little bent. Now most people would ignore such a minor flaw on a gun, but I am very OCD about my rifles and I have already ordered a replacement wheel. My question is: How do I take off the old windage Wheel and replace it with the new one. I know it must unscrew somehow but I am afraid of stripping the screw or mauling the rifle somehow since. Does anybody know the proper way to replace the windage wheel? Is there any special tool I need?
Thanks for the help,
Stevan
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • drobs
    I've never done one but can't immagine it would be that hard.
    AR15.com has a build it yourself forum for AR's you might go post this question over there if you have no luck here.

    Link:
    http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4

    On a side note, I find those A1 sights to be inferior to A2 sights. The A2 sight allows for minute accuracy and windage adjustments.

    Nice thing about an AR even that old one is that you can out that complete upper for a modern complete upper with all the bells and wistles. Those older guns use a different size take down pin but there are conversion pins available.
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  • asphalt cowboy
    http://www.gunaccessories.com/AR15-M16Parts/A1UpperReceiver.asp

    If you scroll down there is an exploded veiw.
    the adjustment drum is retained by a small, really small, roll pin. It is best if you use an acctual roll pin punch to remove the pin and to reinstall it. Roll pins can be fickle, so go ahead and replace it with a new one.
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  • nmyers
    But, we won't think any less of you if you decide to pay a gunsmith to do the job. He will have the tools & fixtures to do the job without scratching the rifle.

    Neal
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Well I'm no AR expert by any means, but the one on my Olympic, that I just sold, is held in position by a roll pin. Since all these things are supposedly "Mil-Spec" they should be all the same.
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  • dcs shooters
    It is held on by a small roll pin. When you tap it out, don't let the detent ball and spring pop out. Just lay the upper flat and be careful [;)]
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  • asphalt cowboy
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    But, we won't think any less of you if you decide to pay a gunsmith to do the job. He will have the tools & fixtures to do the job without scratching the rifle.

    Neal


    Good point Neal. Holding the upper still And punching that tiny pin can get tricky. Can't recall how many hundred I've done, but then we never worried about minor scratches.
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  • Txs
    Very simple operation that only takes a few minutes.

    Knock out the pin on the ejection port side, then lift off the 'wheel' - being careful not to lose the detent ball/spring assembly that's underneath. This pin is not a tight fit and doesn't take a heavy hammer.

    Now it's just matter of placing the ball/detent spring in the recess, putting your new part in place and reinserting the pin.

    As stated, insure you use the correct punch. I'd also suggest securing the rifle well during this operation to minimize chances of it slipping while driving the pin /out.

    EDIT: It's no problem to do this operation with the receiver upright and held in a vise using a mag well block - which is a very handy thing to have for lots of operations.

    When you drive out the pin your punch extending completely through the hole will keep everything in place until it's retracted. Just hold pressure against the part with a finger, then remove the punch and slowly release pressure. That little spring's power is not so great that things will fly off, more like just dribble out.
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