Removing front sight

jheitertusa · September 5, 2007, 01:33 PM

I am replacing the sights on my Remington 870 express slug barrel with some of the fiber-optic ones made by Truglo. Anybody have experience knocking/sliding out the old front sight? It's in there real good, and I don't want to damage anything.

Dfariswheel · September 5, 2007, 08:57 PM

The Express guns front beads are usually pressed in.
They often snap off when you attempt to remove them.

Of it does, the best way to deal with it is to have a gunsmith drill and tap the barrel for a new front sight.

jheitertusa · September 6, 2007, 12:23 AM

Actually, the factory sight is a standard ramp sight, not a bead. It is slid in from the side. I just can't seem to get it to budge.

Dfariswheel · September 6, 2007, 07:47 PM

Sorry, mis-read the post.

The standard rifle type front sight is pushed out from Left to Right, (as you look down the barrel from the rear).

Make sure to firmly brace the sight ramp with a wood block to prevent damaging the base.
The "trick" is to get everything in a "no bounce" set up so when you drive the sight, the barrel and base don't bounce or move around.
Allowing things to move dissipates the force of the blows and can deform the sight, locking it tighter in place.
If the sight isn't moving, it's usually because the blows are being dissipated.

Use a small hammer and a brass or nylon drift.

jheitertusa · September 6, 2007, 07:50 PM

I think I was trying it from the wrong side....

I will try it again. Thanks!

September 5, 2007, 01:33 PM	#1
jheitertusa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 119	Removing front sight I am replacing the sights on my Remington 870 express slug barrel with some of the fiber-optic ones made by Truglo. Anybody have experience knocking/sliding out the old front sight? It's in there real good, and I don't want to damage anything.

September 6, 2007, 07:50 PM	#5
jheitertusa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 119	Thanks! I think I was trying it from the wrong side.... I will try it again. Thanks!

September 5, 2007, 08:57 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 6,574	The Express guns front beads are usually pressed in. They often snap off when you attempt to remove them. Of it does, the best way to deal with it is to have a gunsmith drill and tap the barrel for a new front sight.

September 6, 2007, 12:23 AM	#3
jheitertusa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 119	Actually, the factory sight is a standard ramp sight, not a bead. It is slid in from the side. I just can't seem to get it to budge.

September 6, 2007, 07:47 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 6,574	Sorry, mis-read the post. The standard rifle type front sight is pushed out from Left to Right, (as you look down the barrel from the rear). Make sure to firmly brace the sight ramp with a wood block to prevent damaging the base. The "trick" is to get everything in a "no bounce" set up so when you drive the sight, the barrel and base don't bounce or move around. Allowing things to move dissipates the force of the blows and can deform the sight, locking it tighter in place. If the sight isn't moving, it's usually because the blows are being dissipated. Use a small hammer and a brass or nylon drift.