Ruger PC4 Original Police Carbine Peep sight removal (Tight)

Pumpkin · May 12, 2025, 09:33 AM

Good day everyone,
So I just picked up a real nice Ruger PC4 with the peep sight that resembles one for a Mini 14. It has 1 Allen screw that is so tight! I'm afraid of breaking off a tool in it and buggering it up.
I have thought about a little heat or just leaving it alone, been down this road before

Any suggestions are welcome.
I have removed plenty of broken bolt from cyl heads, etc. but I DO NOT want to mar my nice new rifle if I can avoid it. I will use it as is

I have a, bought new, 77/44 that had an action screw so incredibly tight!
I managed to get it out with no harm to the gun or screw but can't figure out why the excess torquing of these small gun screws

Thanks

**4V50 Gary** · May 12, 2025, 05:10 PM

Kroil.
Wait 24 hrs.
Try again.
If not, heat.

Pumpkin · May 13, 2025, 01:53 PM

10-4, thanks Gary.

RKG · May 13, 2025, 05:27 PM

Heat works, particularly if someone dosed the screw with LockTite. But I'd never bring a torch anywhere near my firearms.

What I do if I have a hard to remove small handgun screw (e.g., the rear sight screws on S&W M&P pistols) is use an old fashioned pencil-type soldering iron. The point fits into the hex cavity on the screw neatly, and 30-45 seconds is usually all it takes to make the screw easy to remove.

Pumpkin · May 14, 2025, 07:53 AM

RKG,
Thanks, I have an old Weller soldering iron that should do the trick.

Ricklin · May 14, 2025, 12:42 PM

Position the work on the bench such that your nose is directly above. Loctite has a unique sweet odor when heated. Apply torque when you smell the Loctite softening.
Another good method is a torch and a sacrificial L style hex wrench. Heat the wrench to transfer heat to the fastener, quickly switch to another hex driver and back out the offending fastener.

Pumpkin · May 14, 2025, 05:46 PM

Good idea on the Allen wrench, I have some I can spare.
Pretty sure its not corrosion but use of a thread locker.
The rifle looks brand new and was sold as such.
If my eyes were 20 yrs younger I would just stick with the peep sight.

May 12, 2025, 09:33 AM	#1
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 984	Ruger PC4 Original Police Carbine Peep sight removal (Tight) Good day everyone, So I just picked up a real nice Ruger PC4 with the peep sight that resembles one for a Mini 14. It has 1 Allen screw that is so tight! I'm afraid of breaking off a tool in it and buggering it up. I have thought about a little heat or just leaving it alone, been down this road before Any suggestions are welcome. I have removed plenty of broken bolt from cyl heads, etc. but I DO NOT want to mar my nice new rifle if I can avoid it. I will use it as is I have a, bought new, 77/44 that had an action screw so incredibly tight! I managed to get it out with no harm to the gun or screw but can't figure out why the excess torquing of these small gun screws Thanks

May 12, 2025, 05:10 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,294	Kroil. Wait 24 hrs. Try again. If not, heat. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 14, 2025, 12:42 PM	#6
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,374	Position the work on the bench such that your nose is directly above. Loctite has a unique sweet odor when heated. Apply torque when you smell the Loctite softening. Another good method is a torch and a sacrificial L style hex wrench. Heat the wrench to transfer heat to the fastener, quickly switch to another hex driver and back out the offending fastener. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

May 13, 2025, 01:53 PM	#3
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 984	10-4, thanks Gary.

May 13, 2025, 05:27 PM	#4
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 569	Heat works, particularly if someone dosed the screw with LockTite. But I'd never bring a torch anywhere near my firearms. What I do if I have a hard to remove small handgun screw (e.g., the rear sight screws on S&W M&P pistols) is use an old fashioned pencil-type soldering iron. The point fits into the hex cavity on the screw neatly, and 30-45 seconds is usually all it takes to make the screw easy to remove.

May 14, 2025, 07:53 AM	#5
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 984	RKG, Thanks, I have an old Weller soldering iron that should do the trick.

May 14, 2025, 05:46 PM	#7
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 984	Good idea on the Allen wrench, I have some I can spare. Pretty sure its not corrosion but use of a thread locker. The rifle looks brand new and was sold as such. If my eyes were 20 yrs younger I would just stick with the peep sight.