Removing the front sight base on a Ross Mk III

[Cantom]

My new to me Ross Mk III rifle had a severely canted front sight base, a good 10 to 20 degrees off, very obvious as seen. I tried putting the muzzle on a block of wood and tapping it straight with brass drifts etc but it wouldn't work, there is a taper and a very strong interference fit, it wouldn't budge no matter how hard I drifted it.
Member Tiriaq offered to put together a kit for safely pulling the front sight base off and driving it back on. I received it yesterday and it worked like Jack the Bear...the sight is now straight, the slot lines up for the retaining pin and it looks a lot better. The dimensions of the kit are perfect- it included a brass button to go in the end of the barrel to protect the crown.

Thanks Tiriaq!

Anyone else need to do this?

BTW, this rifle is built like the proverbial brick schidthaus.


Before:





Pulling:








Finished:

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Skippy]

Nice to hear the community helping eachother out like that.

Have your groups improved since the fix?

[Cantom]

Nice to hear the community helping eachother out like that.

Have your groups improved since the fix?

I just got the rifle...now at least there's a chance of hitting a barn...

[Gingercat]

Hi
I have just bought a MkIII with this exact same issue! The sight alignment looks almost identical to your first picture and makes me wonder if moving front sight bases was a ‘feature’ of this rifle?

Is there any way to purchase the moving kit that you used, or should I get the rifle to a local gunsmith?

Kind regards Mike

[Cantom]

Hi
I have just bought a MkIII with this exact same issue! The sight alignment looks almost identical to your first picture and makes me wonder if moving front sight bases was a ‘feature’ of this rifle?

Is there any way to purchase the moving kit that you used, or should I get the rifle to a local gunsmith?

Kind regards Mike

Hi Mike. Sadly this was a specially made puller custom made for the Ross.

I ended up buying the same setup from another gent, and it has moved on to a gent who was making replacement stocks. (he needed it more than I did)

Best suggestion is to study my pics and perhaps have the same thing made up?

That sight base is a bear to get on and off without it.

The barrel is tapered and the fit is tight and pounding on the sight can bend and damage it.

I dunno...if it was me maybe I'd try making something up using an oak block. The puller itself is an off the shelf item you can just buy, if you can find similar.

Basically, buy some chunks of oak and do some woodworking, and buy a puller similar to what you see in the pics.

All the best.



Mike- The sight did not move by itself I can assure you. Someone has pulled it off in the past.


Don't forget to drive the pin out first.

And, you really need to protect the crown with something like that brass button. (I can see in the pics that the brass button is not shown. That was a brass item that is shaped like a plastic wine cork. It inserted into the barrel and protected the crown from the puller screw.)

As I recall, you can also put a washer on the end of the barrel and let the puller push on it vs the crown.

[Gingercat]

Very many thanks for your reply, at least it has provided me the safe method for shifting the sight. I will try some wood working and look for a similar puller!

[Low & Slow]

You can find those pullers at any real auto parts store. Some stores offer free rentals as well, where you buy the tool, use it, then return it for a full refund.

[Cantom]

Very many thanks for your reply, at least it has provided me the safe method for shifting the sight. I will try some wood working and look for a similar puller!

Something along these lines, from Ebay UK. (although it's from the US)

Heavy Duty Pitman Arm Puller Truck Car Pitman Arm Remover Two Jaws pulling Arm | eBay


Pitman Arm Puller For Cars Trucks Heavy Duty Hand Tool Puller Pulling Jobs | eBay

Two Jaw Gear Pulley Bearing Puller Remover Tool 2.5 Adjustable Clamping Depth 714367576589 | eBay

[Gingercat]

Many thanks, I think I might let a gunsmith have a go. I’m even struggling to drive the cross pin out - crumbling my bronze punch and not shifting at all.... Some gorilla has knocked it through partially and bent the other end. I don’t want to wreck the pin without a spare (are they an unusual size?) or damage the sight base.

Kind regards

Mike