M1 Carbine Front Sight

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I need to change the barrel clamp/bayonet lug on a U.S. M1 Carbine.
To do this the front sight needs to be removed.
The information I have is "Remove the Front Sight Pin, and tap the Front Sight Forward Off the Barrel"
Question: how much force is needed to "Tap" the Front Sight off ??\Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[MichiganScott]

There is an alignment key in the front sight that will make removal difficult. Personally, I'd find an experienced 'smith.

If you plan on replacing the bayonet lug with a non-lugged band you will have a "shadow" on the barrel from the bayonet lug.

 

[Frank46]

If you decide to move the front sight please use a nylon or other soft faced hammer to do it. Do not use a steel faced hammer. I have a 1895 winchester 1895 saddle ring carbine in 30-30 krag. And a metal faced hammer was used to set the pin to hold the front sight in place. Lotta small dings in the metal on both sides of the sight. Frank

 

[kimporter]

it depends,i have had them pop right off with a few light taps,had some thought i needed a jackhammer,i learned to soak them a few days in kroil seem to come off fairly easy after this treatment

 

[chief38]

Removing a front sight from an M1 Carbine is pretty easy and if you have basic tools and basic mechanical skills it's pretty simple to do yourself. Remove stock prior to doing this - makes life much easier!

1) Punch out the retaining pin.
2) Soak with Kroil for 15 minutes.
3) Use a Nylon tip punch and hammer to push it off the barrel.
4) Place the muzzle on a piece of plywood or hardwood so as to NOT damage the Muzzle Crown.
5) When installing the new front sight, make sure there are no burrs on the
alignment key to hinder the slot in the sight from sliding over it. If there are, simply remove (only the burrs) them with a file, stone or emery cloth.
6) Align new sight with half moon cut in key and pop in retaining pin.

This whole procedure usually takes about 5 or 10 minutes.

 

[jimmyj]

it depends,i have had them pop right off with a few light taps,had some thought i needed a jackhammer,i learned to soak them a few days in kroil seem to come off fairly easy after this treatment

Hi:
I changed the bayonet lug due to the tension screw threads were stripped.
It appears that the screw cannot be replaced ? after soaking several days in "Kroils" it was still very difficult to remove but was able to without damaging front sight or barrel.
You were correct in that I could have needed a jack hammer.