MN sight problem

[SailorDave]

Hello all, as of late I have noticed that when I shoot my MN the pin that holds the rear sight ladder to the rest of the sight is coming lose and the sight is torquing to the side. Normally I just straighten it and knock the pin back in to place. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they did as a permanent solution? I suppose I can just loctite it back in to place but if anyone has a better idea then I'd love to hear it.

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

Sounds like an undersized pin or oversized hole. The pin has a slight taper and should only be driven out left-to-right, as you're behind the rifle.

Is yours a war production?

Shoot me your address via PM. I'm sure I have an extra rear sight assembly (assuming 91/30?) laying around. I know I have pins.

Regards,

Josh

[SailorDave]

No, it is a 1936 Tula. The pin drifts out on the left side from behind the rifle. Thank you for the help. Ill get that PM sent.

[Armistice]

Sounds like an undersized pin or oversized hole. The pin has a slight taper and should only be driven out left-to-right, as you're behind the rifle.

Thanks for that information. I haven't heard that, so a great tid bit to know

[SailorDave]

Yeah, I had no idea either, Im glad the pin didnt come completely out or I would have probably tried to force it back in. Is it something youd notice with the naked eye or do you need calipers to see it?

[Josh Smith]

Well, I found out about it when I took the rear sight off while developing the peep sight.

I would say most folks wouldn't notice it with the naked eye.

Now, really dumb question: You have the rear sight spring present in there, right? This helps hold the pin in through friction. Very powerful spring; usually you need a punch and a few hammer taps to remove the sight pin. It really is that strong.

I almost wonder if someone took it apart for some reason and left the spring out, because it is pretty hard to put the leaf back in with the spring tension.

Regards,

Josh

[SailorDave]

I haven't noticed a spring, however the pin has never fully come out. It usually takes 10-15 rounds before it starts to move and after about 30 the sight will be torqued and its pretty tough to torque it back but once it is, I can usually tap the pin right back in with my knife handle. This problem has only recently developed so maybe the spring broke?

[Josh Smith]

Could be.

Let me see if I can find a stock spring photo. I'll be back.

Later...

OK, couple of photos from the 'net:





In the first one the leaf spring is black; in the second it's in the white.

What you said about driving the pin back in is what got me. You should have had some trouble putting it back in without a large hand and extremely strong grip, or padded C-clamp, or even a tourniquet setup.

I wear a size 15 ring that's almost too small for me, have tremendous grip from auto mechanics, gunsmithing/sight work, and Aikido, but I still have trouble putting those rear sights back together.

The pre-war sight is the better one, and I'll be sending you a post-war sight as I'm out of pre-war versions. If you would please, check the spring. It should provide tension to keep the rear sight down; the rear sight should not flop all over.

If it's broken, and that's all that's wrong with it, I might be able to kick one up. I have annealed most of the ones I have for drilling -- I make my accuracy kits from them as it's something the Finns would have done; old springs and worn out stripper clips, you know -- but I might have one still laying around that I've not yet annealed.

Check and let me know. I'm planning to send the rear sight base assembly out tomorrow morning, but will find a leaf spring (or order an extra as I'm out or close to being out) and forward one to you.

This is an excellent troubleshooting discussion which should help others in the future. Might even pin it up in my lil' advertising forum below if the mods will move it.

Anyway, take a look and let me know!

Regards,

Josh

[SailorDave]

Ah okay. I was looking for a coil spring. That leaf spring looks familiar. The only difficulty I've had with fixing it in the field is when the sight ladder torques to the side I have to hold it down to get the holes to line up. Then like I said just a quick tap with the butt of my knife and I am back in buisness for another 15 to 20 rounds. Its beginning to seem as if the spring has lost its tension. I will disassemble it when I get home and snap some pictures. Thank you so so much for all the help you've provided me. Not to go off on a tangent but this rifle is the first gun I ever bought and I got it a little while after I turned 18 so its always been special to me. It is a great relief to know it will be working properly again and also to get some knowledge. I really can't say enough nice things about Mr. Smith.

[SailorDave]

Okay I took the pin out, and it was pretty tough to get out, but the spring appears to be intact and is quite stiff. I see what you mean about the pin only going in a certain way, I tried hand fitting the pin in the sight so that it wouldn't get lost and lo and behold it only goes in one way. So that's good to know it is relatively idiot proof. I took some pictures to show the spring.

[Josh Smith]

So, it looks like your spring is in good condition. Just slop in the holes. Be looking for a sight and base the beginning of this coming week!

Regards,

Josh

[SailorDave]

Alright, that is awesome. Thank you so so much for all the advice and help you have given me.

[Josh Smith]

Alright, that is awesome. Thank you so so much for all the advice and help you have given me.

Hi Dave,

Just sent you a PM with tracking info. I had to guess at your name; you're now "Cali Dave" as it wanted a first and last.

I was going to go with "California Dave," but that seemed like plagiarism of California Joe, or Pete, etc.



Josh

[Twystd1]

Hi Dave,
I had to guess at your name; you're now "Cali Dave" as it wanted a first and last.

I was going to go with "California Dave," but that seemed like plagiarism of California Joe, or Pete, etc.

You bust me up. LOL...