SMLE Rear Sight Help

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ilikeoldguns

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Hello, I find myself having to remove the rear sight *ARM* from an SMLE and I am not having much luck.

To clarify; this is a No1 MkIII*. All my guides tell me to unscrew the retaining screw and then "remove the Spring" But how does one accomplish this? I have tried brute-forcing the spring out with various punches, rods, allen keys, screw-drivers, ect. Ditto with the rear sight arm in various positions; pressing in it here and there. Nothing works.

Have not even got to trying to drift it out yet.

Really hoping that I don't need a blow torch for this.

Thanks for your help.


Steve
 
I'd gently heat it with a torch then apply some penetrating oil and let it soak for a bit. If I remember correctly the spring is captive and held in grooves in the sight base.
 
Trying to make sure i understand - you want to remove the part with the range graduations? (rear sight leaf). You don’t need to remove the spring to take the leaf off.
 
louthepou said:
Trying to make sure i understand - you want to remove the part with the range graduations? (rear sight leaf). You don’t need to remove the spring to take the leaf off.
Click to expand...

I'd also like to know if the sight leaf can be removed with taking the entire sight off the barrel. From what I have read it seems not.
 
Its pretty simple to take the rear sight arm off.

Knock the little retaining pin out(very small), slide the washer off and then poke the main pin out(where the sight leaf pivits). Leaveing the base and spring on the barrel. You need to do this when instaling a peep sight or changing rear sights. Very easy maybe 3 minutes tops.


In this pic. You need to tap out the No17 pin. Then remove No16 and No15
https://www.brpguns.com/no-1-mk-3-receiver-bolt-sight-parts/
 
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I say yes, it can be done. Done it before and as I could remember it should come off easily if you hit it the right way. Just don't have any of my no1s within arms reach to give more details.
 
As mentioned, taking the sight leaf off is no biggie. However, putting it back is a bit of a bugger. You need a strong thumb to hold the leaf down to align the holes in the base and the sight leaf and insert the pin. I use a modified c-clamp to keep the parts aligned for pin insertion. Good luck with your project.
 
louthepou said:
Trying to make sure i understand - you want to remove the part with the range graduations? (rear sight leaf). You don’t need to remove the spring to take the leaf off.
Click to expand...

REALLY???

Very interesting as this NOT what my guides say! Gun Digest Book of Firearms Disassembly/Centerfire rifles, for example.
 
ilikeoldguns said:
REALLY???

Very interesting as this NOT what my guides say! Gun Digest Book of Firearms Disassembly/Centerfire rifles, for example.
Click to expand...

Yes, really.

The spring which pushes upwards on the rear sight leaf assembly needs to come out by being drifted rearward. Problem is, there's a rear sight leaf in the way. If you want to remove the spring, you need to remove the rear sight leaf assembly first. That's done by: 1. Removing the rear sight leaf assembly retaining pin, and 2. well, once the pin is gone, the rear sight leaf assembly pops off on its own, most of the time.

Then, you can unscrew the spring retaining screw, and then you need to use a hammer and punch to drive the spring rearward until it clears.

I've never tried to remove the spring before the sight leaf assembly. I guess it's possible to do it but, really, why?

I agree that it's a bit of a pain to reinstall the rear sight leaf assembly on the rear sight base when the spring is in place. But with a bit of care (and a clamp of the right dimension) it's possible to position the rear sight leaf just in the right spot so that its retaining pin will slide through the holes easily.
 
louthepou said:
Yes, really.

The spring which pushes upwards on the rear sight leaf assembly needs to come out by being drifted rearward. Problem is, there's a rear sight leaf in the way. If you want to remove the spring, you need to remove the rear sight leaf assembly first. That's done by: 1. Removing the rear sight leaf assembly retaining pin, and 2. well, once the pin is gone, the rear sight leaf assembly pops off on its own, most of the time.

Then, you can unscrew the spring retaining screw, and then you need to use a hammer and punch to drive the spring rearward until it clears.

I've never tried to remove the spring before the sight leaf assembly. I guess it's possible to do it but, really, why?

I agree that it's a bit of a pain to reinstall the rear sight leaf assembly on the rear sight base when the spring is in place. But with a bit of care (and a clamp of the right dimension) it's possible to position the rear sight leaf just in the right spot so that its retaining pin will slide through the holes easily.
Click to expand...

Yes Lou is right again. And sometimes 3 or 4 hands come in ...handy.
Both on this sight and #4's with spring and rivet/pin.
 
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