Removing front shotgun sight

[sillychris]

This is probably an extremely basic question, but:

The blade sight on my stainless bear defense 12ga is crooked (came that way, budget Churchill) . I think I would prefer to simply remove it so I don't end up using it in the heat of the moment.

How are these usually attached? Solder? Braze? Would I be able to just heat it off with a propane torch without affecting the heat treatment of the barrel?

 

[guntech]

Probably either soft solder or silver solder... you won't know until you you try...

 

[legi0n]

it is likely a silver-solder
you may want to wrap the mag attachment ring in a wet rag while doing it

 

[gunrunner100]

^^^This

 

[kamlooky]

Grind it down leaving some of the base.
File it flat and put a bead on it with proper bead alignment.
Less ugliness this way.

 

[marlin58]

Reflex sights are really cool I am finding

 

[trevj]

it is likely a silver-solder
you may want to wrap the mag attachment ring in a wet rag while doing it

Probably not silver solder, though it may be an Oven Brazing alloy. More likely to be soft solder, IMO. The wet rag suggestion stands, though. If you have access to heat crayons, you can apply one that is about the heat range expected for a higher temp soft (silver bearing, like 2 percent or so) solder (440-ish deg F), or you can have a poke at the sight base area with a sewing needle and pliers (soft solder will be...soft, the point of a needle should stick in the filet (if any) around the base of the sight, unless the makers were very frugal with their solder usage).
Usual Silver Brazing Alloy temperatures are a little over 1200 deg F.

Proper Silver Solder is considerably harder and higher Temperature.

Short answer, you won't know for sure until you try! You may find that you have to carefully mask off the area that you want the sight to sit, and scuff it clear of any bluing or similar finish, as these will stop the solder from adhering!