Thanks for the tip on the oiler. Yeah, I think a wood dowel would be the best bet. But I've never been able to unthread the sling out of there. It's in there super tight.

I find AK's and SKS's to really be a problem with the protective wings in the front sight of them. I've never really had that big of a problem with a circular aperture and the wings. But the other day, when I was in my basement, in low light, I did do the same thing. I went to sight in on my Carbine and picked up one of the wings first. So yeah, I can understand it. I've never had a problem with a Garand or M1Aicon though. But I at times get irritated with the aperture on the rear sight. I posted this in the 03 forum. When the light is real bright to your back, it really lights up the rear ap and makes it hard to see the front.