a3 front sight post

[browningautorifle]

Can I wrap aluminum tape on the barrel

Don't think so. We used a Brownells resin to hold things but I don't think they have it any more. Some have used Oak blocks. I personally make my own out of 1' by 2' aluminum bar cut into four inch lengths. Drill the hole to get started through both together and drill bolt holes the other way. Then you make your blocks. There's usually enough edges to get hold of and you can't scratch.

[ssgross]

I've already got the barrel vise, and rosin - just need the correct bushing. The brownell's vise has a 1+3/4" opening. Fleabay bushings all seem to be 1+1/2 od. Only the steel bushing no 5 was in stock - it should fit? Am I right the Mauser 98 shoulder is 1.2"? - the a3 seems 1.195, which is why I asked about a few wraps of aluminum tape, then the steel no. 5 bushing in the vise.
If it's not the right size, it will be a long wait I suppose - or make my own with wood blocks as you suggest. I'm in no hurry, and I already left my disappointment at not getting it done this weekend in an empty beer can...which I suppose I could make an aluminum shim out of for the steel bushing if it's a bit too big?

[browningautorifle]

I suppose I could make an aluminum shim

Don't know about the shims. I don't know if they'll slip. I used solid blocks.

[Doco overboard]

Just to convince myself I'm not going crazy, the marks do match up. Were the barrels marked when manufactured, or when assembled? I thought since all the replacement barrels I've seen already have witness marks on them they were pre-marked.
Attachment 113905

Just a thought, when you peer into the breech, does the barrel extractor cut seem to be off as much off as the front site is rotated?
I'm just going off the pictures supplied earlier in the thread, the front site band appeared to have a pretty good lean to it.

One time I had a replacement barrel either for a M17 or P14 that had the index mark off just a touch more than the index mark was wide. Luckily the manufacturer had cut the extractor slot generous enough that I could remedy the problem with a slight turn to he barrel.

The index mark on the barrel was just proud of the mark on the receiver but not past it much more than the width of the barrel mark so the movement was a couple thou at best.

[ssgross]

does the barrel extractor cut seem to be off as much off as the front site is rotated

Just took a look down the action. If I line my eye up to look right down the raceway for the right lugs down to the extractor groove...it looks to be off slightly in the same direction? could be bias too as well now that I confirmed the sight was off.
I also think now that I have the front sight off that my pics, not being perfectly aligned and level, exaggerated the misalignment. I think/hope it will end up being off by about the width of the index marks. You bring up a good point with the alignment of the extractor groove that I hadn't considered yet. Guess we'll have to wait to find that out too!

[Salt Flat]

SS, I think you and Doco are on the right track. I was thinking the same thing about the extractor slot. (maybe I'm stating the obvious here) but With the 03A3 you could just set the front sight to vertical and more or less ignore the index marks. There is a little wiggle room in the extractor slot and it shouldn't be a problem. Actually it will probably center up the extractor in the slot as it seems the error is in the index marks. It wouldn,t be this easy with a 1903 because you have the pinned rear sight to deal with. Salt Flat

[browningautorifle]

the width of the barrel mark

That would be all the barrel would need to move so maybe not even take it off completely.

[ArtPahl]

OK, here's a thought: Why not file a little off the upper side of the sight key and then shim the other side until the sight lines up? Seems a lot less hassle and risk than trying to twist the barrel tighter (if you even can!). There's a good chance the barrel or receiver will get marred up, where as if you file the sight key.....what's the worst that can happen?

[ssgross]

trying to twist the barrel tighte

It's the other way...barrel is over turned and needs to come back a bit.

[ArtPahl]

OK then. Never mind. Do it your way.