Topic: Stuck front sight :(

[onemountain]

Hey guys, I'm scratching my head here. I've got a Remington 597 that I picked up used with a factory front sight on it. I've got some Tech Sights to put on, but I can't the damned front sight off.

I think the front sight is held on by a single screw. I removed it, tried to get sight off. Wouldn't budge. Tried putting a thin cloth on it then hitting it with a hammer. Nothing. Tried soaking it WD40 then repeating hammer treatment. Stuck on like a tick. Tried liquid wrench and repeated hammering. Still won't budge. Tried acetone. Same story. Tried using a heat gun. ****ing thing still won't move. It's like the previous owner welded it on or something ridiculous.

BTW, the rear sight had some sticky stuff that was partially holding it on, but I don't think it was an adhesive so much as old oil turning to varnish. A screwdriver popped it right off. I don't think the oily sticky stuff is what's holding the front sight on.

Any ideas? The way this is going, I might end up with a rear peep from tech sights and a front fiber-optic!

EDIT: The adjustments on the rear sight are pretty stiff. It would be easier to adjust it with some sort of tool. Sniffing around teh interwebs it sounds like some sort of AR15 sight tool (A2) is the right thing to use. Where can I find one? Could I borrow one off one you guys if I can't find one? I was hoping to get it sighted in tomorrow.

[RGinIdaho]

On some sights, you have to drift the actual sight post out of the dovetail on the ramp and there will be another screw counter sunk in the dovetail.

[Jaggy13]

usually the sights will have lock tite as well as a set screw.
The heat gun idea is to "smoke" the lock tite to get it to release.
The problem may be that you are not getting it hot enough.
I use a pencil tourch some times to get the heat directly on the part.
When you see smoke and hear it start to boil it releases its hold.

I'm not familiar with the sight you trying to remove, and it may just be easier to take it in somewhere. RK is great place such a task, and a huge supporter of local shooting sports.
Robert or Pete can most likely take great care of you in a timely manner.
The few dollars you spend may save you 10 fold of repairing a mistake.

I personally do a lot of my own maintenance and mods but know when to ask for help.
They have always been very receptive when I feel like I'm in over my head.

[onemountain]

GOT THE DAMN THING OFF!

Had to brute force it. Previous owner had the whole length of the friggin ramp epoxied (or something like that) to the barrel. If I ever meet him I'm gonna ask what on earth possessed him to do that!

Look for a Tech Sights review sometime in the next couple weeks

[popsgunner]

 :eek:wow



Thanks Jaggy

[Jaggy13]

:eek:wow



Thanks Jaggy

Yeah, didn't sound like the typical sight job.
good job breaking it loose.

[ballardw]

GOT THE DAMN THING OFF!

Had to brute force it. Previous owner had the whole length of the friggin ramp epoxied (or something like that) to the barrel. If I ever meet him I'm gonna ask what on earth possessed him to do that!

Look for a Tech Sights review sometime in the next couple weeks

Be glad it wasn't soldered on!

[onemountain]

Be glad it wasn't soldered on!

I was really starting to wonder if the previous owner was an amateur welder or something lol!