rear sight removal

[GBEAR1]

Does anyone have some good advise on the best way to remove a type 3 carbine sight? The gun is an early model hi wood all original but a type 3 irco sight was added possibly by an armorer or the owner a long time ago.There are no signs that this gun went through a rebuild or was messed with. All the other parts are correct and original. There are no chisel marks on the receiver . I did try a brass punch and nylon hammer but it did not budge. I have it soaking in breakfee now. Thanks

[us019255]

You could buy a sight pusher, but I suspect that it would be pretty tight for that from your description.

Perhaps you need a bigger hammer.

Seriously, they have always yielded to a punch and hammer for me, but it may take a pretty big hit for the initial move. I don't believe that there is an asymmetry in the dovetail, but I always move the sight out from left to right and replace in the opposite direction.

[Tuna]

The rear sight only removes from the left side to the right (looking down the barrel to the front sight) and is replaced from the right side to the left. The right side of the dove tail is wider then the left.

[van2smith]

Hi Bear. Nick Daily folcmote@aol.com has original WWII carbine tools, he also has new ones custom made that work great and cost much less. Tools are well worth the cost. Nick is doing a show in Denver today but usually responds to emails every day. Buy the tools and don't beat your carbine you'll be glad you did and you can help your friends with their carbine's as well..........Van..

[GBEAR1]

Thanks guys . I wound up giving it a well placed hard lick after a little heat and it budged loose.

[raycer911]

When removing the adjustable rear sights (especially the Type 3 stamped version), it really helps if you move the windage adjustment all the way to the left to provide a more sturdy backup as you beat or push on the left side to remove it. The USGI rear sight removal tool even had an insert to put inside the sight to strengthen it and avoid deformation as their tool screw-pushed it out.

[raycer911]

The USGI rear sight removal/installation tool looks great but is difficult to align properly, and I have found it to be essentially unusable in >90% of the attempts. Nick Dailey's tool ($99.00 + shipping) is simple, sturdy, and reliable; although I did find that the brass "pusher" on the end of the screw needed to be ground down nearly 1 mm to avoid interference with the receiver dovetail. The USGI tool includes the spacer or reinforcement to prevent deformation of the Type 2 and 3 adjustable rear sights, while Nick Dailey's tool does not. Just remember to move the windage adjustment all the way to the side you are pushing on. Also, it never hurts to squirt some Liquid Wrench or Kroil or equivalent all over the sight base at least an hour before you attempt removal.

[imarangemaster]

I soak with liquid wrench about 24 hours, and just before removal a blast of Remoil or something more substantial. Place receiver in a padded vise, use a brass drift and big brass hammer. Keep the drift as close to the bottom of the dovetail on the sight as possible. MAKE SURE you use force left to right, and keep it parallel to the direction you are driving it. If you use a slightly downward force, you are increasing resistance. If you use an upward force, you can ruin the receiver.