Mini-14 Front Sight Removal
Anyone have info on how to remove the original front sight on a 181 series Mini-14. Have removed the roll pin but can't get the sight to budge.
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Already done that. Hit it so hard it broke the plastic. Tried wood blocks, lead ingots and a brass hammer also. Still no go. Would sweating it with a torch help? 0 -
I would spray something like "Liquid Wrench" or other penetrating solvent. Let it set a while with barrel pointed down or up but not on it's side. Then try the love taps again in a day or so. Heat might let the solvent seep in beter but do you want to mess up finish of barrel with heat?[?] 0 -
that oiquote:Originally posted by dano
WOW! Love taps no good? That must be one tight sucker!!
Try the penetrating oil thing. If that doesn't work, you might ask around and see if anyone you know has a press.
I've removed front sights on several mini's, all done w/o a problem.
Best of luck to ya![:D]
[:o)]
The "ONLY" bad thing about owning "A GUN" is...not owning two or more!0 -
You need a BFH (Big Fu$#ing Hammer)! 
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I had the EXACT same problem with my 181 series. I ended up having to make a "relief" cut on the sight to get it off. But hey, I figure they are so cheap that its no big deal. 0 -
Von Elliot,
I had the same problem when I tried to install a muzzle break. I broke a few wood blocks as well. This is what I did:
1. I wrapped the barrel just below (and slightly on) the front site with a cotton cloth so as not to scratch the bluing.
2. I placed it in a vice on a workbench so that the butt of the rifle was suspended about a foot off the floor, and the vice was only slighlty tightened on the barrel just below the front site. The site was against the top of the vice keeping it suspended.
3. I placed a thick carpet under the butt of the rifle so when it fell, it would not be damaged on the concrete floor.
4. I heated the front site for about 30 seconds with a butane torch.
5. I tapped out the pin holding the front site on.
6. I placed a block of wood (pine...not too hard of a wood) on the end of the barrel and hit straight down with a hammer, softer at first and a bit harder a few taps later.
7. The barrel slid right out of the site.
It worked like a charm. Good luck!
Fitz0 -
Thanks for all the advice guys. I tried it all. Even after 3 days of soaking in WD40 and liquid wrench I tried to knock it loose with a 10lb hard cast lead diving belt weight. It didn't budge one micrometer. Finally took it to a competent local gunsmith who at first chuckled at my inability. When I picked it up 3 days later he told me he had to use a hydraulic press and still destroyed a brass compression plate in the process.
I don't feel quite as incompetent now.
Thanks Again.
Mike,
aka; Von Elliott0
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