Recommend a Gunsmith in the Michigan area?

[HKGuns]

I already struck out once.

I'm refurbing a fomer sporter model. I have a new stock and all the correct parts to make it as it was when it was a military model. All I need is the front sight removed.

I dropped it off at a local gunsmith on August 22nd after he said he could do the work. After numerous "promise" dates the latest being "I'll get to it this weekend" (Last weekend) I finally asked him to drop it off at the gunshop yesterday and I would make other arrangements. Nice of him to keep it in storage for over a month and not do anything with it. He literally didn't open the case.

Anyway, I got the front sight pin out tonight and am still having trouble getting the sight off the barrel. I've lubed it up and heated it and no movement. I'll keep trying and if anyone has any ideas I'm open to trying them.

I really just need it off long enough to install the top and bottom barrel bands.

So, as a backup plan does anyone know a gunsmith in Michigan who is reliable and would do this in a reasonable amount of time? Preferably with M1917 experience.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

even with mail time i turn most work around in about 3 weeks.
never understood why guys take on work, and never get it done.

[Calif-Steve]

Chuckindenver did my M1917. Top notch work.

[HKGuns]

I "REALLY" want to avoid the hassle of mailing the gun. If mailing ends up as my only option I've already decided to ask ChuckinDenver to do the work.

[Chuckindenver]

really,
to remove that old sight isnt a big issue, a dremil and a cutoff wheel is all thats needed.
iv posted a few times with pics, how to do it,
you will need a new front sight, but it will come off.
id love to make money, but this is something that you can do yourself.
not many {gunsmiths} would know the trick, and would likely beat the crap out of the barrel to get it done.

[AlReiter]

Just curious about what makes the front sight on an M1917 so difficult to remove?

[Chuckindenver]

they can be a bear, rust, time ect, heres how its done,..
applye tape before and after the sight base as shown, so when you slip it wont mar the barrel.
with a cutting wheel, cut a deap notch front to back, on the bottom side of the base, amost all the way through.
then with a driver and good hammer, push the sight foward, with a couple good wacks, it will come free.
as shown.
note, that some dingus silver soldered this 03 base, onto a A3 barrel.
no heat was used.
it protested, but came loose.

[HKGuns]

Well, as the rifle had sentimental significance, I didn't want to mar the front sight. However, I did have another Eddystone front sight......So, my not wanting to ship it outweighed the sentiment of not wanting to muck up the existing front sight.

I used your method Chuck and it work flawlessly! Thank-you.

The best part; I had all the required tools (Dremel with cutting discs included) and the job required ZERO trips to Home Depot or Lowes!!

My only remaining issue is the top barrel band....the one with the bayo lug....isn't going on smooth enough for me to get the screw through and threaded properly. I can pound it through, however the threads aren't lining enough to catch.

Any hints on fitting the top barrel band? I will post pictures when I'm finished. It looks great already with all the proper parts and a full stock.

[Chuckindenver]

you may have to open the hole in the stock a bit, sometimes they can be a bear to line up.
glad you got the sight done..

[HKGuns]

I opened the hole up and it is 90% good now. Do you have any front sight installation tips Chuck?

Here is the picture of it before......in full sporter garb.



Here is how it looks now with the front sight stuck slightly on the barrel.