The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - AK-47 (Saiga) help with pins on front sight

Dfariswheel · June 22, 2009, 08:05 PM

AK sight pins are not tapered.
However, the "standard" on pins is out to the right, in toward the left.

That is, you'd drive the pins toward the bolt handle.

To straighten the front sight support:

Get the barrel in a well-braced, no bounce-no move setup with hard wood blocks to support it.
If the barrel moves or bounces when struck, the pins won't move and may distort, locking them in tighter.

Get a punch and cut it off to about a 1/2" to 5/8" working length. This is known as a "Starter punch". The short length prevents the punch from flexing or bending. This directs all the force to the pins.
Once the pins are moving out, switch to a standard length punch.

Drive the pins out, from left to right (as you'd sight down the barrel.

Reposition the barrel with blocks to allow the sight support to clear, then use a LARGE brass drift and hammer to move the sight support in the needed direction.
Don't hit the support near the top or in a thin spot, this may bend or distort the support.
Once you'd got the sight support straight, re-cut the grooves in the barrel by one of two methods.
1. Use a drill to re-drill the holes. Be CAREFUL, if the drill drifts you can ruin the sight support or even the barrel.

2. Use a round needle file or a small diameter chain saw file to FILE new grooves in the barrel.
This allows cutting new pin grooves with less risk, "IF" you're good with a file.
Remember, the idea is to cut new grooves in the barrel NOT to enlarge the holes in the sight support.

If the old pins are still tight, use them, or make new pins from drill rod, or even the shanks of cheap drill bits.

June 22, 2009, 08:05 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	AK sight pins are not tapered. However, the "standard" on pins is out to the right, in toward the left. That is, you'd drive the pins toward the bolt handle. To straighten the front sight support: Get the barrel in a well-braced, no bounce-no move setup with hard wood blocks to support it. If the barrel moves or bounces when struck, the pins won't move and may distort, locking them in tighter. Get a punch and cut it off to about a 1/2" to 5/8" working length. This is known as a "Starter punch". The short length prevents the punch from flexing or bending. This directs all the force to the pins. Once the pins are moving out, switch to a standard length punch. Drive the pins out, from left to right (as you'd sight down the barrel. Reposition the barrel with blocks to allow the sight support to clear, then use a LARGE brass drift and hammer to move the sight support in the needed direction. Don't hit the support near the top or in a thin spot, this may bend or distort the support. Once you'd got the sight support straight, re-cut the grooves in the barrel by one of two methods. 1. Use a drill to re-drill the holes. Be CAREFUL, if the drill drifts you can ruin the sight support or even the barrel. 2. Use a round needle file or a small diameter chain saw file to FILE new grooves in the barrel. This allows cutting new pin grooves with less risk, "IF" you're good with a file. Remember, the idea is to cut new grooves in the barrel NOT to enlarge the holes in the sight support. If the old pins are still tight, use them, or make new pins from drill rod, or even the shanks of cheap drill bits. Last edited by Dfariswheel; June 22, 2009 at 08:16 PM.