How do I fix brocken front sight post on my AK?

[betyourlife]

The post itslef broke off trying to adjust for elevation and it is on there so tight that I have broken three sight adjustment tools trying to inscrew the post so I can replace it.

Anyone have any suggestions? Any tools that might be strong enough to get that thing off? I have tried oiling it, but it doesn't help.

And were can I buy just the front post sight?

HELP!!!:freak: It is driving me nuts!

[sopmodm4]

Originally posted by betyourlife
The post itslef broke off trying to adjust for elevation and it is on there so tight that I have broken three sight adjustment tools trying to inscrew the post so I can replace it.

Anyone have any suggestions? Any tools that might be strong enough to get that thing off? I have tried oiling it, but it doesn't help.

And were can I buy just the front post sight?

HELP!!!:freak: It is driving me nuts!

Is it low enough to where you can press out the windage barrel that the post screws into?

Is it a split tail sight post or a solid tail sight post?

If you can press the windage barrel out then you can remove it from the bottom or just use another sight barrel.

It's probably cross threaded if you reinstalled it yourself but now won't come out and you should get antoher one anyway.

I have a sight post and barrel I'll give you if you can't get it figured out but you'll need to pay the postage.


or you could use this as an excuse to upgrade to this type of windage barrel which allows the use if finer M16 front sights inclusing tritium :)




http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/006000150.jpg
http://www.aceltdusa.com/ak.htm

[betyourlife]

Originally posted by sopmodm4
Is it low enough to where you can press out the windage barrel that the post screws into?

Is it a split tail sight post or a solid tail sight post?

If you can press the windage barrel out then you can remove it from the bottom or just use another sight barrel.

It's probably cross threaded if you reinstalled it yourself but now won't come out and you should get antoher one anyway.

I have a sight post and barrel I'll give you if you can't get it figured out but you'll need to pay the postage.


or you could use this as an excuse to upgrade to this type of windage barrel which allows the use if finer M16 front sights inclusing tritium :)




http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/006000150.jpg
http://www.aceltdusa.com/images04/AK/AK4%20%20(105WS).jpg

I whish it was low enough to do that.

I have no idea what kind of sight it is. It is a needle sized post that sits on top of a thin block type post that sits on a cylindrical device that is used to adjust for windage by moving from one side to another inside the housing. At the bottom is a flat tip screw looking thing. Does that help?

I could post a pic if it helps.

[cadillacguns]

OK you broke off the sight post that sits atop the screw, if you can use nedle nose pliers to screw the rest of it out/or use the clean kit tool inside your cleaning kit, then go to www,k-varcorp.com or www,globaltrades.com for a replacement or better yet take sopmod up on his offer.

[sopmodm4]

Did you get this figured out yet?

If it looks slotted from the bottom then it is the split variety and it compresses to add tension but it's waaay easier to cross thread.


Do you own a dremel tool perchance?

post a pic of it from the front,rear and side so I can get a better idea of what you are working with.

[graveman]

OK
Try applying heat with a gas torch and it should come off when you unscrew it with pliers. Most AK's have been painted and baked AFTER having been put together, so it's stuck.
Go to www.k-varcorp.com and get a new post. Shipping WILL kill you.
While you're at it, buy an adjustable rear sight to not have to mess with the PITA front sight windage.
It is also a good idea to do your elevation on the rear sight instead of moving the front post all the time. Screw the new post in halfway and leave it there. Zero at 100 m with the rear sight blade at "3", that will be your battle zero. Fool with the front post then and only then. Do not move it EVER AGAIN.

[betyourlife]

Originally posted by graveman
OK
Try applying heat with a gas torch and it should come off when you unscrew it with pliers. Most AK's have been painted and baked AFTER having been put together, so it's stuck.
Go to www.k-varcorp.com and get a new post. Shipping WILL kill you.
While you're at it, buy an adjustable rear sight to not have to mess with the PITA front sight windage.
It is also a good idea to do your elevation on the rear sight instead of moving the front post all the time. Screw the new post in halfway and leave it there. Zero at 100 m with the rear sight blade at "3", that will be your battle zero. Fool with the front post then and only then. Do not move it EVER AGAIN.

Excellent suggestions. I think I might give that gas torvh thing a try.

But wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to have the gunsmith do it? They only charge 65 to add specialty sights to a gun. I would think that it's much cheaper to replace a front sight post.

I am just tired of messing with this POS. Almost makes me want to get an AR:freak:

NOT!!

Cuz then I will be having to deal with a PITA jam when my life depends on it!

Thaks to all for the advice. What do you all think about taking it to a gun smith? Is there a lot of paperwork? Cost?

[graveman]

$65 to install a mere $5 part?

Here's what you want from K-Var

Front sight post $5.50
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16357&cat=291&page=1

Adjustable windage rear sight RPK blade ( yes, calibrated for 18" barrel, but will work with AK, just a little more ammo to figure it in ) $30
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16251&cat=307&page=1

Shipping should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $10.

You give me $65 and I'll change the whole front sight block, parts and labor included. Most of the "shotgun elite" 'smiths won't work on AK's, at least around here.