M1 Carbine Front Sight Installation & Removal

M1 Carbine Front Sight Installation & Removal using commercial removal tool. They are about $25 new and worth it.

[@lasutnatipasanjr.4118]

thank you for showing the way to remove and ireinstall the frontsight. I have mine here un-install or clean for 74 years.

[@CHAOSMOVEMENT]

Man, I wish my front sight was that easy to install. I've been hammering at it for awhile and it just does not want to move. I'm going to have to use a bigger hammer tomorrow. It was a real nightmare to get off too, even after soaking for 2 days with penetrating oil.

[@Gunny20001]

Outstanding video, Many Thanks for sharing

[@norwich93CMP]

Your Welcome!!!

[@tbatt469]

Thank you for the video! Easy as can be, once I watched the video!

[@norwich93CMP]

You're welcome!

[@paulpm]

I'll be able to do this thanks to your video. Thank You Very Much!!

[@slammersam924]

Great video 👌 it helped me a bunch. Thank you sir 👍

[@norwich93CMP]

You are welcome

[@toddac61]

I have soaked the front of the barrel in penetrating oil for 4 days and have hit the punch with a ball peen heavy hammer till the punch bent and the pin hasn't moved at all!

[@toddac61]

I got the pin out. Had to take a larger 3/8" inch punch and chuck it in a drill and cut down the last 1/8" by grinding it down. I set the sight on a block of nylon and could really wack the punch with the hammer and it came out. Then of course the sight wouldn't budge using a brass punch so I bought the removal tool. It still wouldn't move using a wrench so I had to use a 1/4" impact driver and the sight came off. There was no rust or nicks but the sight wouldn't even start to go back on. I had to freeze the barrel at -15F and heat the sight to about 200F and pound it on with a block of oak till it was flush with the barrel. Then used a PVC conduit pipe and a large hammer to get it all the way on.

[@norwich93CMP]

Wow! I had one that bad too. Better to find a different front sight that's a little larger. I think I used a short 5 pound sledge hammer on mine.

[@uainttheone]

Maybe try brake fluid but it will remove paint ect. Maybe very light heat

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

​@@toddac61whoa!😮 time to hone out the sight! Holee smokes...

[@mistergrendel32]

Very helpful video. The bayonet on my carbine will not come back on the lug far enough to lock in place because the bayonet ring is up against the front sight. I’m thinking that IF I remove some material from the end of the key, 1/8”-3/16”, this will allow the rear sight to be moved back enough to allow the bayonet to lock in place. As Bill “the leprechaun” O’Reilly would say “what say you about that?” 😜🤓

[@mistergrendel32]

???

[@norwich93CMP]

First I would look at the placement of the barrel band spring as it relates to the stock. If you have an aftermarket stock many times the placement of the looking lug on the barrel band spring is not in the proper placement. Also possibly check the bayonet for being GI versus other manufacturers. I would not grind anything until you know the cause. Then reevaluate.

[@mistergrendel32]

@@norwich93CMP The carbine is made by the current Inland company and I don’t think the bayonet is GI. I think it’s a reproduction from Gun Parts Corp with no clue of who made it. I’ll check things out. Thanks 🤔🤓

[@norwich93CMP]

@@mistergrendel32 Sorry that your new production is not GI spec. Hopefully it works out for you.

[@xxshooterxxdm]

The lugs were not added to the m1 till the 50s if I'm not mistaken

[@norwich93CMP]

The bayonet lug, or type III band, were added very late 1944 by Inland and Winchester. Then through the rebuild process were added to any early style without bayonet lugs.

[@BigAl1344]

What does it mean if my rifle is shooting high? I have a flip rear sight. I was shooting at 25 yards while using the 100 yard peep hole and the impacts were about 6 inches high. Does it mean that the front sight was filed down too much? / should I replace the front sight?

[@toddrudy1930]

I have a similar problem, and your assessment is correct. It means that the front sight post is too low, and the only way to solve that is a new front sight. I read a few bubbas built up the sight with JB Weld, if you're into that sort of thing.

[@norwich93CMP]

The lowest setting for the flip sight is 100 yards so it makes sense to me its hitting high. I would not change anything, just aim lower.

[@davidschaadt3460]

According to the book by Craig Reich, the carbine sights (flip) were set for 150,and 300 yards.

[@daddyblunt8824]

Thanks for sharing

[@mericaactual3030]

Sir, would it be possible to demonstrate the proper technique for “staking” the key? I’ve read the threads but pictures/videos would be a better help. Thanks in advance.

[@norwich93CMP]

The pin does not need to be staked. If it is loose then I would suggest a proper pin and possibly a new front sight. They did stake at the factory but it appears unnecessary.

[@albertrodriguez1257]

Can this be done with a universal carbine?

[@jimsworthow531]

Thanks for the info!

[@scratchguns]

I got the front sight off no issue but I cannot get the key out of the slot? Is supposed to just be loose inside the slot or is pressed in?

[@norwich93CMP]

Take a crescent wrench and get it as tight as you can and rock it left and right. The key is soft metal and deforms to the slot and front sight. Pliers as a last resort.

[@danielmahoney8236]

Love my inherited M-1 Carbine. Would you be willing to share a list of qualified gunsmiths to inspect, clean, and offer a parts list to keep my "War Baby" functioning for future generations?

[@uainttheone]

I did that, took the so called gunsmith over 30 days, went to get it and they made me do the background check to get my own gun back. Had them put a new stock on it and chelcoat.. they couldn't find the old stock. By then I was smoking hot and ready to smack the guy. Mysteriously they found it and it had a number in it of a guy they were selling it to.. the idiot also got the coating in the action ect caused it to hang up and not cycle instead the ejector snapped. Took it to another guy he dropped it and broke the new stock. Now I do my own work with some you tube videos.

[@MrGeoffois]

I couldn't see but are you using the hardwood to wrap around the barrel when you use it to tap on the front sight? I imagine someone can drill a barrel sized hole to kinda do that but you probably just need to hit center mass of the front sight just above the top of the barrel right?

[@norwich93CMP]

The hardwood is just a small block. Seems to work best for seeing what you are doing and control.

[@kirstenstern6402]

Great video! My Saginaw’s rear sight has to be all the way to the right and all the way back at the 300 yard mark to hit low at 100 yards. I suspect the front sight is out of wack. What do you think?

[@norwich93CMP]

Sounds like your front sight was filed too far down. Might want to get a tall front sight.

[@kirstenstern6402]

@@norwich93CMP turned out the culprit was a ding in the crown. I had it recrowned and the problem was solved.

[@blueplasma5589]

You said WW1 narrow band, this gun was made at WW2 era, no?

[@norwich93CMP]

Correct, should be WWII, thanks.

[@remydaitch9815]

Size of the punch?

[@norwich93CMP]

I think the one I used was NAPA #6. Use what just fits, I don't know a SAE size. Hopefully that helps you.

[@matthewbilich9979]

Where can you purchase the puller?

[@norwich93CMP]

Readily available on eBay & Amazon.

[@Brad-ic4bp]

@@norwich93CMP I tapped it off the end of the barrel with my punch mallet and a sheet of felt to protect the finish on the barrel and sight wings. It took a while and was a pain in the butt, so that removal tool is a great idea.

[@jamescole8159]

What size is the punch?

[@norwich93CMP]

Depends on how the pin whole is staked, you might need 2 or three about that size. Recommend use the trigger/sear pin as a guide. I would say one size up, and one size down, and one the same size should work. Use a good hard steel type, once moved or unseated use the brass to finish off. Always start from the side with the smallest whole working toward the larger whole. If both are the same size I recommend removing left to right. Either way, when reinstalling reverse the path.

[@toddac61]

A 3/16 inch is a little smaller that the pin. It may not be strong enough to get the pin out. I soaked the end of the barrel in penetrating oil for a week and the punch still bent and the pin didn't move. I took a 3/8 inch punch and chucked it in a drill and spun it against a grinding wheel to only make the last 1/4 inch of the punch a smaller size. Then I was about to get the pin to move and went back the the 3/`6" punch.

[@STEVEOMEMES]

CLP ? not gun oil

[@norwich93CMP]

CLP is military grade Cleaning, Lubricating, and Protectorant.

[@STEVEOMEMES]

@@norwich93CMP Right an thank's ...

[@STEVEOMEMES]

Also were do i make copy's of the data sheet's thank's

[@uainttheone]

I just hit mine with a wire wheel on my grinder

[@norwich93CMP]

I hear the rifle screaming from here! LOL