Versa Max (Sportsman) White Bead removal~help! **SOLVED!**

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~thought this would be easy/straight forward...I've replaced beads on my old 870s...but it ain't working out tonight with this gun. Wanting to try one of the Hi-Viz sights that require you use the supplied screw to go into the threaded hole on the barrel. I just spent 30 minutes on the old Googler...and even searched CGN, to no avail. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/951019-remington-versa-max-sportsman-Question?highlight=versa+max+bead

I heated things up with a hair dryer, attached a tool (like a bead removal tool) to the white bead portion, it felt like it unscrewed....but nope.

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The white "ivory" part came out, but (what I think is) the sight base remained. I did try to see if any of my allen keys (metric or imperial) would fit, and none did. Only in looking at these photos can I see what appears to be a tiny grub screw, or spot you could fit an allen key deeper inside..but I now don't want to force things. I'm surprised I can't find anything to do with this online, but do know the sportsman is the entry level Versa Max...and most reference you find online is the fiber optic sights that already come on the higher end models like the "Waterfowl".

Anyhow, I figure I could keep tinkering until I luck into a solution..but like that saying "measure twice/cut once"...I'd rather check here to see if anyone can offer any guidance. Like most things gun related, the solutions usually aren't complicated..just don't want to mess up or damage anything.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond.
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UPDATE April.14/19~I drove up to see Casey @ Tac Ord and naturally (after a little time in his capable hands) all is right in the world. Turns out Gravel was incorrect, the base the white bead screws into is NOT press-fit into the barrel, it is screwed in there. Makes more sense, but I wasn't chancing it with vise grips! lol Casey had the correct tool for unscrewing it (gripped from the outside, not an allen key from the inside) and it was out in less than 30 seconds. He didn't use any heat to loosen it either. New sight is on, turkeys beware. :) Thanks Casey!
 
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I know they come off. I shot skeet with a guy that lost the front bead on his versa max. As to how im not sure. You could try gently twisting it with vise grips
 
If it has a thread locking compound it will require much higher heat ( small torch like for melting srink tubbing ) then with locking plyers it should come off ( righty tighty, lefty loosey) if that doesn't do it find a left hand drill bit and drill it out ( the tork from the bit bitting in will most likely break it free . Or you could just glue it on if all else fails . Were pulling for ya !
 
Thanks for the input guys. Don't own a heat gun, nor do I want to mess-up the finish on the barrel...so this may have evolved into a quick gunsmith visit. Never had a good feeling taking this on (strange bead to begin with) so my hunch may have been correct.

And for the record...what were Remington thinking putting a shiny white bead on these barrels anyway? Really stands out when wing shooting. lol (=not) Hazy/overcast days are the worst..can't really see it at all.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Thanks for the input guys. Don't own a heat gun, nor do I want to mess-up the finish on the barrel...so this may have evolved into a quick gunsmith visit. Never had a good feeling taking this on (strange bead to begin with) so my hunch may have been correct.

And for the record...what were Remington thinking putting a shiny white bead on these barrels anyway? Really stands out when wing shooting. lol (=not) Hazy/overcast days are the worst..can't really see it at all.
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The simple fact, is that the better wing shooters don't use the bead at all, they concentrate on the target.
 
stubblejumper said:
The simple fact, is that the better wing shooters don't use the bead at all, they concentrate on the target.
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Who said I was one of the 'better' wing shooters? lol Not so sound argumentative, but are you suggesting bead sights have no place on a shotgun barrel? If so, you'd be the first person I've ever heard say that! lol As for what to concentrate on when shooting moving targets...I did know that, but even if I didn't...I might have figured that out shooting clays for 34 years like I have. :)
 
3macs1 said:
Yes I have when they first came out but not on a new one
Originally they were just a 6-48 thread
You can see how the high viz mounted with a screw
From your pic looks like an allen key will screw yours out . What would it hurt to try

https://www.brownells.com/shotgun-p...-viz-sku767000952-56475-118445.aspx?rrec=true
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^that's the style I was considering...and I got something similar that also relies on a 6-48 screw to hold it down. (included) However, to sit flat...that sight base would have to come off. I have a full set of metric and imperial allen keys (or think I do) and none registered. If I can avoid a gunsmith and save some $, I'd prefer to...but not at the risk of damaging the gun in any way.
 
.22LRGUY said:
^that's the style I was considering...and I got something similar that also relies on a 6-48 screw to hold it down. (included) However, to sit flat...that sight base would have to come off. I have a full set of metric and imperial allen keys (or think I do) and none registered. If I can avoid a gunsmith and save some $, I'd prefer to...but not at the risk of damaging the gun in any way.
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Yes it does . So???
I would bet you don't have a complete set if it is one of those that are all together as a group
 
3macs1 said:
Yes it does . So???
I would bet you don't have a complete set if it is one of those that are all together as a group
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Likewise, I'm simply wondering if it's an odd size like a 1.5mm or something. lol I work in a business that (regretfully) uses allot of machines made in China. Fastener searches (and tools that get along with them) are part of my day-to-day...so I never assume something sitting in my drawer is going to be the answer. Even when it should be! :) I did contact Gravel, as I've had positive dealings with them in the past. Waiting for a call back. Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

Stubblejumper~I read your post before my morning coffee had taken hold. Didn't mean to sound pi**y.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Likewise, I'm simply wondering if it's an odd size like a 1.5mm or something. lol I work in a business that (regretfully) uses allot of machines made in China. Fastener searches (and tools that get along with them) are part of my day-to-day...so I never assume something sitting in my drawer is going to be the answer. Even when it should be! :) I did contact Gravel, as I've had positive dealings with them in the past. Waiting for a call back. Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

Stubblejumper~I read your post before my morning coffee had taken hold. Didn't mean to sound pi**y.
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I was simply making the point that although some shooters do try and use the beads as sights while wingshooting, that is not necessarily the best approach to wingshooting. I have shot several rounds of skeet with no bead at all, and it made no difference at all in my shooting. Two friends lost the beads on their shotguns, and never bothered replacing them, because it makes no difference to them. In one case, the gun has been without a bead for over five years. I help a lot of new shooters at skeet, and one of the biggest issues, is that they try to use the beads as sights, once they get past that, their scores generally improve dramatically. Being a member of three different clubs, and shooting a lot of upland and waterfowl, I see many people that have added high viz beads or bars, and none of them, are the better shooters at clays, or in the field.
 
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stubblejumper said:
I was simply making the point that although some shooters do try and use the beads as sights while wingshooting, that is not necessarily the best approach to wingshooting. I have shot several rounds of skeet with no bead at all, and it made no difference at all in my shooting. Two friends lost the beads on their shotguns, and never bothered replacing them, because it makes no difference to them. In one case, the gun has been without a bead for over five years. I help a lot of new shooters at skeet, and one of the biggest issues, is that they try to use the beads as sights, once they get past that, their scores generally improve dramatically. Being a member of three different clubs, and shooting a lot of upland and waterfowl, I see many people that have added high viz beads or bars, and none of them, are the better shooters at clays, or in the field.
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I hear you, and thanks for the input..honestly. I spent the first 20 years or so of my own shotgunning shooting a 12ga Remington 11-48. No vent rib, fixed/MOD choke. Thought it was the end-all/be-all of shotguns. lol Still have it.

Yeah, for me..I have no illusions about a fiber optic bead making me a better shooter, but I tried one on my 870 years ago and found it valuable when hunting. Which seems to be mostly in low light, wet weather, or both. I plan on using this for turkey next, and for that purpose...I think the fiber optic will be an advantage.
 
stubblejumper said:
The simple fact, is that the better wing shooters don't use the bead at all, they concentrate on the target.
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Lol of course someone had to say it.

If the bead was completely unnecessary for every shooter, they wouldn't bother putting it on there. Obviously it has a purpose. Why bother posting if you have absolutely nothing to contribute?
 
Scotty454 said:
Lol of course someone had to say it.

If the bead was completely unnecessary for every shooter, they wouldn't bother putting it on there. Obviously it has a purpose. Why bother posting if you have absolutely nothing to contribute?
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My post was a direct response to the statement below.

And for the record...what were Remington thinking putting a shiny white bead on these barrels anyway? Really stands out when wing shooting. lol (=not) Hazy/overcast days are the worst..can't really see it at all.
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As to not posting if you don't have something to contribute, exactly what did your post contribute to this thread?:p

Beads do have a use on shotguns, they are useful for shooting at stationary targets, such as when shooting slugs, or when hunting turkey, or when patterning a shotgun, or for checking gun mount and gun fit. Most of all, the manufacturers can portray the high viz beads as a desirable feature, to anyone that thinks that they need them.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Likewise, I'm simply wondering if it's an odd size like a 1.5mm or something. lol I work in a business that (regretfully) uses allot of machines made in China. Fastener searches (and tools that get along with them) are part of my day-to-day...so I never assume something sitting in my drawer is going to be the answer. Even when it should be! :) I did contact Gravel, as I've had positive dealings with them in the past. Waiting for a call back. Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

Stubblejumper~I read your post before my morning coffee had taken hold. Didn't mean to sound pi**y.
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Me a wet rag and a good pair of vice grips and it would be out
Cheers
 
stubblejumper said:
Beads do have a use on shotguns, they are useful for shooting at stationary targets, such as when shooting slugs, or when hunting turkey, or when patterning a shotgun, or for checking gun mount and gun fit. Most of all, the manufacturers can portray the high viz beads as a desirable feature, to anyone that thinks that they need them.
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I agree with this 100%. Im of the opinion that for wingshooting, a bead serves zero purpose. And the comment Im sure was made because a vast amount of wingshooters dont know that your focus shouldnt be on the bead, it should be on the target.

That said, I personally like the white bead on my Browning Silver....the more it disappears when shooting, the better it is for me. And that is what its meant to do
 
.22LRGUY said:
Yeah...brute force is always on option on the table...but I prefer peaceful negotiations before considering military force. :)
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That is not brute force. It is not being scared TO SNAP IT OFF a versa max barrel, fit the new fiber site and re tap if required
If you were in a shop you don't have time to play with it. It either turns out or it doesn't
You think a smith would treat it differently
Yes it is special to you but that is where it stops on that barrel
Just my 2 cents
Cheers
 
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