1903 Rear Sight Question

[Rick H.]

Hi All: I want to replace a few rear sight parts on my 03 Springfield. I can't quite figure out how to get the spring out of the rear sight base. Can someone help me out on this? It would be appreciated as I need to find a new sight post and slide and install same. Thanks, Rick

Information

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[Mike D]

The spring simply slides out from the base. The front of the spring has a hole in it. Insert the right size punch, or, the shaft of a Dremil bit fits perfect, into the hole. Then rest the bit against a hard surface and use a brass hammer or what not to tap the base. Using a punch on an angle to tap out the spring can really bugger things up.

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[Rick H.]

Thanks for the reply Mike. Can I assume from your picture that you must first take off the sight leaf in order to get the spring out? Any tricks for that operation if it is true? It looks like the sight leaf pin just gets pushed out correct? Thanks, Rick H.

[John Beard]

Thanks for the reply Mike. Can I assume from your picture that you must first take off the sight leaf in order to get the spring out? Any tricks for that operation if it is true? It looks like the sight leaf pin just gets pushed out correct? Thanks, Rick H.

I'm not Mike, but I'll answer your questions:

(1) Yes. Otherwise, the spring will not come out.

(2) The spring is dovetailed and wedged into the base. Getting the spring out can be quite challenging. I have occasionally broken the base. I know of no "trick" to getting it out.

(3) Correct! The sight leaf pin can be tapped right out with a pin punch. When re-installing the pin, slide a slightly smaller pin punch in from the opposite side and use it to align the holes for starting the pin.

Hope this helps. Good Luck! And Happy New Year!

J.B.

[Mike D]

John's got ya' covered.

If you do try my "trick" for removing the spring, be sure to clean out any gunk in the spring hole. It can build up over time. You want your punch or bit to go in as much as possible and be an exact fit.

Soaking the spring/base in penetrating oil overnight will help.

And, of course, use a block of wood or brass hammer to tap the base, not a regular hammer like in my photo!

[Chuckindenver]

the flat spring is staked in place, and not ment to be removed, however,
if you drive the hing pin out, and remove the ladder part, you then can drive the spring foward out.

[Mike D]

Hey Chuck, could you tell me where they were staked?

[Rick H.]

Thank you very much for the replies gents, I appreciate the help!! Rick

---------- Post added at 10:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

Ok, just a thought here, I have the complete sight in hand. I drive the pin out and the ladder comes off. Then I can use the procedure described earlier for getting the spring out. When putting the sight back together is it just a "reverse procedure" or can you get the spring in with the ladder installed back on the base? From what it looks like on the sight assm. I have someone has hacked around on the leaf spring before as the hole is messed up. Are these springs available anywhere if I need one? Thanks again, Rick

[Chuckindenver]

Hi Mike.
if you look in the picture that you posted, you can see the flat stake marks close to your thumb, and index and social finger on the other side, iv seen them staked light like the one you have, and staked hard.
iv seen some OL marked sights staked so hard, it split the steel.

[Mike D]

Rick - The spring is available. I seen one browsing Northridge International, kinda pricey, though. I have not looked anywhere else.

Sight bases are common on GB.