Moving a front sight without a sight pusher

[blasted_saber]

Hi all, I need to replace a front blade sight on a rifle but am not looking to buy a sight pusher for something I probably will use one time. Its a Model 94 and the ramp looks like its soldered on. I have seen first hand ramps pop off when using a brass punch to strike the sight in the dovetail and dont want that to happen to me.

Anyone have any ideas? I did find a Youtube where a guy blocked his pistol into a bench vice and used the vice's screw mechanism to slowly drift the blade out with a punch, but am looking to see if anyone else had a suggestion.

Thanks

 

[laurencen]

did one a few years back took a piece of aluminum tube, cut a slot in it the width of the block/ramp then in a bench vice clamp on the tube, it will hold the ramp nicely then just drift out the front blade, remember you have to support the rifle weight if you have a swivel vice turn it so the stock sits on the bench

 

[tiriaq]

Can you set the barrel in your vise so that the ramp is supported against the edge of the vise jaw? Barrel rotated a bit to allow this.

Some (all?) post '64 M94s have front sight ramps spot welded to the barrel. They can be knocked off.

 

[OkayShooter]

Goto the dollar store and make a sight pusher from a cheap mini c clamp.

Normally involves filing a notch in 1 side and removing the pivot clamp.

 

[blasted_saber]

Thanks for the tips guy

 

[Can-down]

did one a few years back took a piece of aluminum tube, cut a slot in it the width of the block/ramp then in a bench vice clamp on the tube, it will hold the ramp nicely then just drift out the front blade, remember you have to support the rifle weight if you have a swivel vice turn it so the stock sits on the bench

That's a great idea Laurence, thanks for the tip!


OP, as others have pointed out the main idea is to support the barrel and sight base in a solid fashion so that all the force of the brass drift punch is transmitted to the sight.

I've used small hard wood blocks to support the barrel and the base with the rifle lying on it's side on a bench... it helps if you have someone else available to help steady the rifle but it can be done with out a vice.

Pretty sure Winchester 94s have a taper so you will want to drive it out of the dove tail from the left to the right when your looking down the barrel of the gun from behind the action. Opposite for installation.

Might want to use a bit of penetrating oil in advance if your set up is not ideal.... You can also use some electrical tape to protect the finish on the barrel and sight base from unwanted errant strikes with the punch. You want to give it a nice solid hit if it's being stubborn.

 

[Canuck65]

Barrel in a padded view. Hardwood dowel or brass punch, small hammer. Go easy with it.

 

[blasted_saber]

Thanks for all the tips gents. I'll let you know how it goes. I shot the rifle Saturday to confirm that I in fact have to put a taller front post in place and indeed I do. 8" high at 25m.