Front sight pin broke the punch!

[Greg O]

That front sight pin on a CMP that I bought wasn't giving up easy. I let it soak in some PB Blaster over night, tried to punch it out and snapped 1/2 inch off the punch without it giving.

Next I tried the heat/quench method using PB and 3 in one oil. Snapped off another 3/8 inch off the punch. At this point I have about another 3/8 to go, and hoped the "third time being the charm" might apply.

It was.

Took two good hits but the pin did come out, unknown is why it held so well (?!) The punch WAS a Sears Craftsman. Don't know if it was one of their Chinese "companion" tools or a legit USA one.

Anyone else have this issue?

Information

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[painter777]

That could only happen to you Greg.... ;-)

Charlie-painter777

[Greg O]

That could only happen to you Greg.... ;-)

Charlie-painter777

[lboos]

In the next few days im going to try and remove my front sight to replace my frt. barrel band, I read on another site where one guy says to use an old broken drill bit of the correct size as the punch, that he has done it several times, and it work's very well. I'll find out soon.

[jimb16]

I've broken a couple of punches trying to remove pins myself. It really isn't all that unusual. I've made a special punch to "start" pins. It is the right diameter, but is only 1/16 inch in length. There is no flex when struck so it doesn't snap. Once the pin is through the staking, a regular punch works just fine.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Greg,

I do what jimb16 does. I made a shorter, I guess you could call it a, pre-punch. I used an old hardened drill bit. I have a leather lined steel block with a hole in it to drift the pin through. Leather wrapped clamp that holds it steady to the block. No bouncing around.

At least being a Craftsman's punch, you can take it in for a free replacement.

JimF

[Greg O]

Okay. Let me ask you guys this...
Has anyone (or is it necessary) ever "dimpled" a drill bit/punch or whatever in order that it stays ON the pin considerably better when striking it?

I did have a near misss maybe two while wailing ... I mean TAPPING on it

[lboos]

Im going to remove my front sight soon, when i drive the pin out does it matter which way, To the Lt. or Rt. Or does it matter?
Thanks for any advice.

[painter777]

I remove the frt sight pin from left out to the right. Muzzle pointed away.
I like starting with a fine point nail set. It has the dimpled center that holds it over the end of the pin. After getting it loose from the staking, I use a small punch. Oiling ahead of time is a big help. Grease the barrel to prevent scratching when R and R a Frt sight and or Barrel band. I re-install the sight pin from right to left.

Good Luck
Charlie-painter777

[Faulkner]

I had a IBM that I like to have never got the front site pin out of. I banged away on it to the point I was afraid I'd hurt the barrel. I finally decided to drill it out on a drill press.