How to remove front sight post on 1903?

Alfonso

Alfonso

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Okanagan
In an effort to completely clean my 1937 1903 I need to take off the front metal band (to clean and rub off some rusty and pitted bits with steel whool) but can't as the front sight post is in the way. How do I safely remove the post and then re-install it after?

Thanks
 
Alfonso said:
In an effort to completely clean my 1937 1903 I need to take off the front metal band (to clean and rub off some rusty and pitted bits with steel whool) but can't as the front sight post is in the way. How do I safely remove the post and then re-install it after?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is a cross pin in the front sight base/band unit behind the dovetail for the front sight. It is driven out laterally with a punch. Best to use a starter punch first. The front sight base/band unit can then be driven forward off the barrel by tapping the rear of the base with an appropriate sized punch (brass punch is best). When the front sight base is driven fwd there is a key on top of the barrel. To replace the front sight band/base, make sure the key is in place and drive the front sight base/band on until the hole for the cross pin is aligned with the corresponding hole in the key. Finish by seating the cross pin with a punch. You might want to irrigate the band and key hole with penetrating oil first to loosen things up.
 
If it is a 1903 (not an A3), the front sight is in a dovetail. You loosen the screw on the front of it (take it out) and then drift out the dovetailed-in sight base.

I would not remove it though, you can take out the barrelled action without removing the sight.
 
Claven2 said:
If it is a 1903 (not an A3), the front sight is in a dovetail. You loosen the screw on the front of it (take it out) and then drift out the dovetailed-in sight base.

I would not remove it though, you can take out the barrelled action without removing the sight.
Click to expand...

Yes you are right. This is a 1903. And yes the front sight is in a dovetail. I need to remove the front band so that I can clean it and scrub out some rust but it wont slip past the front sight post. How do I take out the barrelled action?
 
Maybe some troubles with nomenclature here. Do not remove the front sight base/band unit from the barrel unless absolutely necessary. If what you want to do is to remove the M1903 upper band (with the bayonet lug on the bottom), do this:
1. remove the upper band screw that passes laterally thru the upper band and stock,
2. remove the front sight stud (the piece that fits in the dovetail and holds the front sight blade) by removing the small screw in the front sight base/band unit that faces towards the muzzle. Look for a small properly fitting screwdriver for this as these screws are small and are easily buggered. Again, a soaking with penetrating oil is recommended before doing this. After the screw is removed, take a punch and drive the front sight stud laterally out of the dovetail
3. remove the upper band forward off the stock and barrel. A tight one can be moved by tapping on the rear of the bayonet lug.

To remove the barreled action from the stock after the upper band has been removed do this:
1. Remove the lower band screw and sling swivel, The lower band will pass over the lower band spring in the slot in the right side of the stock,
2. remove the handguard,
3. Remove the front and rear trigger guard screws,
4. remove the trigger guard.
5. lift the barreled action out of the stock.
 
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