Having trouble removing nosecap on No1 MkIII* to replace front sight blade.

[milw50717]

I have a JJCo No1 MkIII* and I am looking at changing out the front sight blade as it shoots too high for me to get a zero at 100 yards. So, a couple of question.

The first question is on removing the nosecap. I looked at a couple of videos, one on youtube and one on this forum, that shows you remove 2 screws and then the nosecap should be able to be pulled off or tapped off with a hammer and block

The 2 screws come off without an issue, but the nosecap shows no signs of coming off, even when a bit of persuasion (hammer and wooden block) is used. I'm wondering if JJCo would have used an adhesive of any kind or if BLO and/or cosmeline could be forming a bond. Any thoughts on how to proceed and get the nosecap off - hairdryer or heatgun, soaking in hot water, more harder persuasion ?

Second question is just to make sure that there is nothing I should be aware of that will complicate the front sight replacement. The current blade does not appear to be staked into place and from the reading that I have done there should be no pin holding it in place. So, just push/drift the current one out and push the new one in ? Best to soak in penetrating oil before attempting ?

Thanks

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[Roger Payne]

I'm not the best qualified by any means to answer your question, but as everyone else seems to be busy I'll do my best.

You are quite correct in that the nose cap is only positively held in place by the two screws, one transverse nearer the muzzle, & one vertical towards the rear underside of the nose cap. However, because of the wood to metal fit they often vary quite a bit in how easily they come off. Added to this, I understand a lot of the Jovino rifles were assembled from NOS parts, which are often on the generous side, so it may be that a fair degree of 'persuasion' was used to get all the parts together into the finished rifle in the first place. I don't suppose they were assembled by British or Commonwealth armourers either.....

Again, you are correct in what you say about the foresight assembly. I have seen the base of the blade staked, but I'm not sure how general this was. Even so, it should move. And as you say, there is no other screw or pin holding the blade in place.

ATB.

[milw50717]

Thanks for the reply. I shall have another go with block and hammer.

[Roger Payne]

I think that's what it may come down to.

[SDWriter]

Yep. With those screws removed, the nosecap should slide straight off the front. And no need to pry at it from odd angles of course. In fact that would be a bad idea. There's also a little bit of pressure from the forend rest spring, pushing down on the nosecap, that might be offering some resistance.