How to remove No 4 Mk I * front sight blade

Nabs

Nabs

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.6%
267   1   1
Location
Somewhere...
Hi CGN,

I am in the process of restoring a 1943 LB but I have hit a snag. The hand guard ring cannot clear the front sight blade so I regretfully have to temporarily take it off and put it back on. I did notice what looks like a screw just in front of the blade, does this serve the purpose of keeping the front sight blade locked in ? If so, what is the best way to loosen it without damaging or scratching the metal ?

If I do get the front sight blade off, any tips on re-sighting ?

Thanks for the help :).
 
Nabs said:
Hi CGN,

I am in the process of restoring a 1943 LB but I have hit a snag. The hand guard ring cannot clear the front sight blade so I regretfully have to temporarily take it off and put it back on. I did notice what looks like a screw just in front of the blade, does this serve the purpose of keeping the front sight blade locked in ? If so, what is the best way to loosen it without damaging or scratching the metal ?

If I do get the front sight blade off, any tips on re-sighting ?

Thanks for the help :).
Click to expand...
Yes its a locking screw. You could make a tool using a bolt, file a notch in so the screw head will fit. Maybe you can use a paint marker to mark the sight position to have a reference point.
Jocelyn
 
I took an old Phillips head screwdriver, ground the tip flat, and used a cutoff disc in a hand grinder to make the slot.
As mentionned, you could use a marker or dab of whiteout to make a reference mark which could be removed later.
 
Great ideas, thanks everyone. Would you have a picture of your modified screwdriver ? I will see if I can get a local auto body shop to make the modifications for me as I have a few old screwdrivers laying around.

Is there a particular way the screw turns so I don't damage or strip it ?

Another issue I ran into is the lower band I have doesn't fit the forestock and the band is too small. Should there be a particular size or style of band I should be looking or ask Trade-Ex for as a replacement ?
 
Nabs said:
Great ideas, thanks everyone. Would you have a picture of your modified screwdriver ? I will see if I can get a local auto body shop to make the modifications for me as I have a few old screwdrivers laying around.

Is there a particular way the screw turns so I don't damage or strip it ?

Another issue I ran into is the lower band I have doesn't fit the forestock and the band is too small. Should there be a particular size or style of band I should be looking or ask Trade-Ex for as a replacement ?
Click to expand...

The screw turn the usual way:)
Jocelyn
 
Got a small bolt and a hacksaw? If you have a hacksaw throw on two blades and make a groove. I would try tapping with a small non maring drift first. And a hammer of course see if it moves might not be too tight. Worked for me before Forgot to tell you to make sure you support the sight before you begin wacking on it.
 
You can also replace it with a 5-40 socket head cap screw if you intend to shoot the gun. It makes adjusting the front sight much easier. When you have it adjusted where you want, you can put the original screw back in. A gunsmith friend told me about this...works great.
 
If you want to get the sight back in the same place, scribe a line on the undersides of the blade where it overhangs the sight block, after you remove the guard obviously, before loosening the screw.
 
The screw replacement is a great idea, that will certainly make adjusting the front sight blade much easier in the future. Hopefully, I can find that type of screw at Canadian tire.

By scribing a line, I think I can use a very fine marker or pencil ? I haven't removed the front sight on any of my rifles before so this will be the first time.
 
Adjusting the front sight is easy with the correct tool. To replace the lock screw you've got to remove it. To remove it you need the tool. Why replace the screw so that you have to use a second tool to adjust the sight, when you already have the tool to turn the original?
 
I bought one from Gairlochian. My kids will inherit my No.4, so the tool can go with it.
 
I'll see about giving the screwdriver trick a try in the coming days, I can't wait until this LB is back in her full trim again :).
 
Nabs said:
The screw replacement is a great idea, that will certainly make adjusting the front sight blade much easier in the future. Hopefully, I can find that type of screw at Canadian tire.

By scribing a line, I think I can use a very fine marker or pencil ? I haven't removed the front sight on any of my rifles before so this will be the first time.
Click to expand...

I would use the point of a thin knife blade, a dental pick, a proper scriber, something like that. If you don't want such a permanent line you could use a magic marker or a pencil. The marker will colour all the exposed area in black and when you come to refit the blade you will have to slide it back and forth a bit while watching the lines where the black ends on either side to get it centered. A scribed line is a bit easier IMO.
 
Alright, sounds good.

Next week, I will hopefully get some free time and I will get this problem solved. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom