natedog
Member
I wanted to install my muzzle brake for my Mini-14, but I can't get the front sight pin out. I've been using a nail and hammer, but it won't go. Should I take it to the shop?
Mini-14 front sight pin won't come out
- Thread starter natedog
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Edward429451
member
I fought the same battle with my Mini a while back. Take it to the shop and have them use a brand new pin to put on the brake.
mummac
Member
I used the pin from the new brake to knock out the old one all at once.
Sean O'Brian
Member
Sticky Pin
I had the same problem with my mini-14 as well. A machine "pin punch" is what the armorour's manual calls for (same tool that is reccomended for any "pin" removals). The pin punches come in sets and you pick the one that is 1/16 or 1/32 smaller than your pin. Most Home Depot and Sears stores stock them, although more extensive sets are available at machinist's suppliers.
Failing this a new drift-pin works but is far more likely to ding up your finish, if you have the blued barrel, I would reccomend, even more strongly, using the "right" tool for the job.
I had the same problem with my mini-14 as well. A machine "pin punch" is what the armorour's manual calls for (same tool that is reccomended for any "pin" removals). The pin punches come in sets and you pick the one that is 1/16 or 1/32 smaller than your pin. Most Home Depot and Sears stores stock them, although more extensive sets are available at machinist's suppliers.
Failing this a new drift-pin works but is far more likely to ding up your finish, if you have the blued barrel, I would reccomend, even more strongly, using the "right" tool for the job.
308win
Member
If you are usinhg a nail you are probably expanding the rollpin. Use the new pin or use a finish nail and use the head end to drive out the old rollpin. Don't waste your money on a smith for this one.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
step 1. go to harbor freight (there's one out by second amendment) and buy a pin punch set
step 2.
step 3. profit.
step 2.
step 3. profit.
QuarterBoreGunner
Member
You forgot the required ??? in Step 2
And I spend WAY too much time on the net.
And I spend WAY too much time on the net.
Dave Markowitz
Member
I had a heckuva time removing my Mini-14 front sight so that I could put on an Eagle front sight/flash hider.
1. Don't use a nail. Use a properly sized punch. Until you get one that's the right size, squirt a little Liquid Wrench or Kroil on it and let it soak. This should help you get it out.
2. Hopefully with the pin out you'll be able to push the front sight off easily. Not me. Mine must've been press-fitted at the factory because even without the pin it was a <female dog> to get off. I wound up taking my Dremel and cutting the rear face of the sight so that I had a section perpendicular to the barrel that I could hammer on it.
I suggest putting a few drops of penetrating oil so that it soaks in between the barrel and front sight, to help you get it off.
Happily, putting the new sight/FH on was A LOT easier.
1. Don't use a nail. Use a properly sized punch. Until you get one that's the right size, squirt a little Liquid Wrench or Kroil on it and let it soak. This should help you get it out.
2. Hopefully with the pin out you'll be able to push the front sight off easily. Not me. Mine must've been press-fitted at the factory because even without the pin it was a <female dog> to get off. I wound up taking my Dremel and cutting the rear face of the sight so that I had a section perpendicular to the barrel that I could hammer on it.
I suggest putting a few drops of penetrating oil so that it soaks in between the barrel and front sight, to help you get it off.
Happily, putting the new sight/FH on was A LOT easier.
SodaPop
member
I had to wack mine pretty hard to get it out.
wintermute76
Member
I'm looking at getting a new front sight for my Mini-14. Do the eagle flash hider/front sights make the sight picture better? I can't stand it how it is from the factory.
tcdrennen
Member
Quarterbore:
Andrew Wyatt was paraphrasing the Underwear Gnomes' Simple Steps To Profit! as detailed (pretty much as he wrote it, actually, except for substituting thread-relevant directions in Step 1) in a South Park episode.
Andrew Wyatt was paraphrasing the Underwear Gnomes' Simple Steps To Profit! as detailed (pretty much as he wrote it, actually, except for substituting thread-relevant directions in Step 1) in a South Park episode.
Edward429451
member
It makes it like a whole new rifle and brings it alive. Big difference.
wintermute76
Member
Any other front blades that are recommended? It'd be nice to be able to shoot it.
Are there any like the CETME's or HK91's, those seem decent to me.
Are there any like the CETME's or HK91's, those seem decent to me.
Sven
Senior Member
Mini-14 enthusiasts are encourage to check out the deepest pile of information on the subject that I've been able to find at:
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8
In particular, the accurizing forum is top-notch, if a bit slow.
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8
In particular, the accurizing forum is top-notch, if a bit slow.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
It's about three years since i did mine ..... pin was not easy but .... compared to getting sight off .... it was a breeze!!
That sight had to have been an interference fit!! I had to turn up a piece of brass to fit the muzzle and use that to enable me to employ an improvized puller arrangement ...... it was like pulling a bearing off a shaft!!
Anyone contemplating doing it ... be prepared for a possible fight!
That sight had to have been an interference fit!! I had to turn up a piece of brass to fit the muzzle and use that to enable me to employ an improvized puller arrangement ...... it was like pulling a bearing off a shaft!!
Anyone contemplating doing it ... be prepared for a possible fight!
Sean O'Brian
Member
Lube
BTW - Kroil (mentioned above) is GREAT for this kind of penetrating / loosening lube of the front-sight drift-pin. Soaking overnight is recommended for this application. The same treatment also does a nice job of loosening some of the more stubborn bits of cosmoline that always seem to want to adhere to the interior of the flash suppressor and makes the fit of the new piece more interesting. Kroil makes 3in1 look like Crisco.
BTW - Kroil
(mentioned above) is GREAT for this kind of penetrating / loosening lube of the front-sight drift-pin. Soaking overnight is recommended for this application. The same treatment also does a nice job of loosening some of the more stubborn bits of cosmoline that always seem to want to adhere to the interior of the flash suppressor and makes the fit of the new piece more interesting. Kroil makes 3in1 look like Crisco.
Dave Markowitz
Member
The aforementioned Eagle unit gives you the same sight picture as an HK91. It's a HUGE improvment over the factory front sight. It's the only mod I have on my Mini-14.
BTW, the front sight blade on the Eagle unit is high, which will cause you to shoot way low, IME. Bring a narrow file with you to the range so that you can file the front sight down to rezero the rifle.
Brownell's carries the Eagle front sight/flash hider combo.
wintermute76
Member
Thanks all, looks like I need to order one up.
Sean O'Brian
Member
Eagle Site
Didn't know brownells had this sight - thanks for the tip
Didn't know brownells had this sight - thanks for the tip
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