Gun P0rn...
I have to get that big honkin' front sight assembly off of this thing. I've pounded, heated, pounded, soaked in penetrating oil, and pounded some more. After taking the pins out, they say these either fall right off or you need an arbor press...which I don't have. I'm going to have to cut it off. I think the SKS would look a lot cooler with that looooong barrel bare except for the muzzle brake. Front sight assemblies are cheap anyway...even if I want to put one back on some day.
I like the scout configuration a lot. I can use stripper clips and shoot with both eyes open thru the red-dot. Put the dot on the target and blast away.
Here's a picture reader Johathan sent me of the inspiration for the work he is doing on his SKS. Doesn't the clean barrel look sweet? Nice clean lines with the 5-round mag also. I've got one of those...too bad Jersey doesn't allow those 20 round fixed mags they have for these.
Update: Results of the latest pounding, pulling, and swearing are here.
SKS and AK's; I dunno...What am I missing? Lots of fans of these items, but I just can't seem to get on the band wagon. Good to see people enjoying their guns, and customizing them to their specs.
Dude! Is that an Ultimak mount on your SKS? I've heard that you should spend as much on the scope as on the rifle, but the mount alone probably cost more than the rifle if it is an Ultimak.
Are the groups any tighter with the synthetic stock?
They are cheap without being cheap. If they were newly manufactured in the US they would probably cost as much as a Ruger mini 30.
Basically I don't see any downside to getting a potent and reliable semi-auto rifle in a major centerfire caliber for 100-200 bucks.
They are cheap without being cheap. If they were newly manufactured in the US they would probably cost as much as a Ruger mini 30.
Basically I don't see any downside to getting a potent and reliable semi-auto rifle in a major centerfire caliber for 100-200 bucks.
Use a gear puller to get the front sight off.
http://sailorcurt.blogspot.com/2007/03/evolution-of-homeland-defense-weapon.html
If you don't have a gear puller, most of the chain auto parts stores (Auto-Zone, Advance, Pep-Boys etc) have loaner tools that you can check out. The only effort involved was getting it to initially break loose which required the use of a breaker bar. Once it broke loose, it came right off.
Use a gear puller to get the front sight off.
http://sailorcurt.blogspot.com/2007/03/evolution-of-homeland-defense-weapon.html
If you don't have a gear puller, most of the chain auto parts stores (Auto-Zone, Advance, Pep-Boys etc) have loaner tools that you can check out. The only effort involved was getting it to initially break loose which required the use of a breaker bar. Once it broke loose, it came right off.
Use a gear puller to get the front sight off.
http://sailorcurt.blogspot.com/2007/03/evolution-of-homeland-defense-weapon.html
If you don't have a gear puller, most of the chain auto parts stores (Auto-Zone, Advance, Pep-Boys etc) have loaner tools that you can check out. The only effort involved was getting it to initially break loose which required the use of a breaker bar. Once it broke loose, it came right off.
Had the same problem removing the front sight from my mini-14. Driving out the roll pin was a snap, but couldn't budge the sight itself. Ended up cutting it off with a dremel tool. I now looks great with a long flash hider with the evil bayonet lug. Take that, Nancy Pelosi!
Out of curiosity, which direction have you tried pounding to get it to slide off? Knowing some of the foibles of non-US manufacturers, what if that slide fit was chamfer milled to get tighter when pressed on in the direction of the barrel (or vice versa)? Just a thought.
The mount is simply the top cover for the gas tube with a picatinny built in. It is solider than the old synthetic top cover and much solider than the original wood. Cost a couple of bucks on the web.
As I have read many instances of guys having the front sight just fall off when the pins removed, or at most twisting it off, I don't think there is any special chamfer on it. The barrel mikes the same in front of and behind the assembly. I'm pounding toward the muzzle.
I've got a wheel puller, but not a gear puller.
I was able to dummy something up with the barrel replacement tool for my Makarov, but it didn't have the juice.
Gear puller it is. I could cut it off, but I'd prefer to keep it in good shape if I want to re-use it.
Here is the letter I got from the BATF on my SKS.
http://bjbarron.thatip.com:81/blogfiles/batfletter.jpg
Sorry about the multiple posts. I didn't think they were posting so I repeated a couple of times.
Should have known better.
Anyway, thanks for visiting my humble blog. I've got many archived posts about my SKS antics.
Right now I'm working on my new old M1 Carbine that I got from the CMP so I haven't done anything with the SKS in a while, but I've still got some other plans for it so check in occasionally.