Removing M77 Mark II front sights

[dootface]

Has anyone removed the front sights by themselves with little to no blemishing to the barrel?

 

[mike7mm08]

At the very least you will probable damage the blueing. Once you remove the sight blade there is one small set screw through the base. Now the hard part. My understanding is the sight base is just a friction fit. But a very very tight one. Been told the barrel is chilled and the sight base is heated to assemble the two. In theory heating the sight base and them trying to tap it off might work. But the barrel might take the same heat and expand right along with the sight. I am pretty sure the odds of getting the sight base off are pretty low. I base this on the numerous Rugers I have seen without front sights that should have them. Nearly everyone has a cutdown barrel.

With the proper setup and tools you could sacrifice the base and probable not damage the barrel. Going very slow with a good mill with very precise depth control you could mill a slot through the base without hitting the barrel. Once you have a relief cut it should tap right off.

 

[robertkirksey]

Just cut the barrel off behind the front sight and send the sight to me. I will send you money for a new hacksaw blade.

 

[jaytee]

You might try heat gunning the sight and putting some heat sink putty on the barrel to isolate it.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

I purchased a take-off Ruger barrel that had sights. Someone had apparently taken the front sight off when they had the barrel fluted, or else the factory put it on crooked. In any case, when I had the barrel mounted to my action my gunsmith took the sight off and straightened it up. My rifle is stainless with a sandblast finish and looks great - no damage to the sight.