Removing 10/22 Front Sight

[enichols]

I just bought a Williams Guide Receiver sight set for my 10/22, and while it was no problem installing the rear peep sight, I'm having a bit of a problem removing the front sight to install the new one. How can I take the front sight off?
Thanks,
Nic

 

[hksw]

Unless Ruger changed the front sight very recently, it should only be held in place by dovetail/friction. A good wack with a heavy mallet/hammer and a (brass) punch should do it.

Williams makes a front sight pusher for dovetails which can be had from Brownell's :

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16152

but I'm not sur if it would be worth the $55 + shipping to get something you would only use a couple of times when a hammer would work just as well.

 

[Ledbetter]

Good advice. You can spray it with penetrating oil to loosen it first.

 

[Edward429451]

IIRC, I was charged $6. for them to change my 10/22 front sight. Take a good look before you leave the gunstore, they accidently reinstalled the original front sight first time around on one of mine. The sights are similar enough to be confusing I guess.

You'll like the Williams setup. Good choice.

 

[enichols]

Thanks for the info. I figured all it would take was a little whacking... I just wanted to be sure before I went ahead and took a hammer to my rifle.
-Nic

 

[hksw]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I always get uptight even when I have to use just a screwdriver to adjust something. Just be sure the barrel is braced solidly and use a non marring punch or dowel.

 

[JohnKSa]

I bought a tool awhile back which I have found to be very handy.

It looks like an oversize green hocky puck with a V cut across one face and various holes drilled in it.

You place the barrel in the V groove and then use a brass punch and a hammer to work on dovetails.

You could make one of these with a hockey puck, or you could simply use a roll of masking tape in a pinch.

I buy various diameters of brass rod stock from the hardware store to use as brass punches. That way when they get too banged up I just cut another length. Cost is next to nothing compared to replacing a punch.

Generally a dovetail has a slight taper in one direction or the other. If you examine it closely, you can often tell which way to drive the sight out. If not, you'll figure it out when the sight sticks and won't drive any further. That's your cue to turn it over and drive it out the other direction.

I believe 'out' is usually left to right.

If the sight needs fitting, file on the flat surface on the bottom of the dovetail on the sight. Do not file the dovetail on the gun. Do not file on the sides of the dovetail.