A2 front sight post removal tools help!

[Dexter9091911]

Hello Calguns!

In the next week or so, I'd have gathered parts to remove my A2 front sight post from my old Daniel Defense AR and install a new handguard.

I am looking for someone near the North Orange County area (Fullerton/Buena Park) who has the necessarily tools to either help/guide me through it or just loan me the tools (#2 roll pin punch, front sight block, torque wrench, etc). I'd be willing to leave some sort of collateral in exchange or bring a pack of beers for your assistance. I'm fairly familiar with replacing every other component of an AR except for the A2 sight and could really use some insight and expertise outside of what I've already googled.

Thanks CG community. Have a great weekend!

[Kmai24]

I'd start by putting some oil on the 2 pins and let it soak in overnight. Those boogers were a pain for me.

[Carcassonne]

The two pins on the front sight of a standard AR are tapered. You can only knock them out one way. They are easy to knock out unless someone used Red Loctite.


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[kendog4570]

The two pins on the front sight .... are easy to knock out....

Sometimes...
Randall has the right idea and I unashamedly copied it. Make up a hardened shorty short punch for the small side, and a bucking tool for the big side of the pin, and break them loose with the mill vise.

[Dexter9091911]

Great. I'm in the process of soaking them with some oil... I'll post an update in a day or two

[TKCastle]

Randall showed me the mill vise trick on his drill press. So simple, do you know anyone with a mill vise?

[ar15barrels]

The two pins on the front sight of a standard AR are tapered.
You can only knock them out one way.
They are easy to knock out unless someone used Red Loctite.

"Easy" is a relative term.

[ar15barrels]

Randall showed me the mill vise trick on his drill press. So simple, do you know anyone with a mill vise?

I have not had a "drill press" in my shop since 2004.
If you saw me punch out taper pins with a vise after 2004, it was on the Kurt vise on my milling machine, or the Wilton bullet vise on my workbench.

[kcstott]

I have not had a "drill press" in my shop since 2004.
If you saw me punch out taper pins with a vise after 2004, it was on the Kurt vise on my milling machine, or the Wilton bullet vise on my workbench.

My Dad called my Bridgeport a "Fancy drill press"

[kendog4570]

"Easy" is a relative term.

That all depends on your relatives. With some of mine, nothing is easy...!

[Dexter9091911]

Update: After enlisting the help of one of my burliest Samoan friend, I was finally able to pop out the pins!

I did experience "mushrooming" of the pin heads, but with a torch and some applied heat, they fell through after two or three solid whacks.

Just some added information: I did spray and soak both sides of the pins with penetrating oil the night before. Additionally, I was highly surprised to discover that the entire barrel had been parkerized from the factory. Being overly prepared, I went out and bought high-temp, flat black, rustoleum paint from my local hardware store before I removed the sight post. I guess I shouldn't really be that surprised as my AR15 is from Daniel Defense (DDM4V1).

However, I do have two more tiny problems to work with after installing the new handguard and gas block:
1. The adjustable gas block from JP Industries is not adjustable with the Manticore Arms Transformer Rail V2 installed. The adjustment screw just out of view from one of the windows on the rail.

2. My muzzle brake from VG6 precision no longer times correctly with the use of a few brands of crush washers. The first time I installed it, it timed perfectly within 17-18 ft/lbs on two separate rifles. It could be the supplied crush washer was just perfect for the brake. The new ones I used were from different kits. I may need to get a new peel washer from my LGS.

Thanks for the input fellas.

[ar15barrels]

I do have two more tiny problems to work with after installing the new handguard and gas block:
1. The adjustable gas block from JP Industries is not adjustable with the Manticore Arms Transformer Rail V2 installed. The adjustment screw just out of view from one of the windows on the rail.

Easy fix.
Make an access slot or hole in the handguard for the wrench.