1911, How do you remove front sight roll pin?
I have a SA Loaded Model that is shooting low. Springfield sent me a new lower front sight with a little roll pin to hold it in place.
In order to remove currently mounted front sight.
How do I remove the roll pin that holds sight in place?
I took gun apart thinking I could push it out from underneath, but it appears roll pin hole does not extend thru the slide.
Probably a real simple answer, but I am stumped. Was tempted to try and just force new sight out of dovetail, but got smart, and thought I would research first.
I think if you look closely you'll find the hole does go through the slide. We always drilled clear through and then made sure the roll pin didn't bear on the bushing. If it doesn't go clear through go in from the top with the proper punch and gently drive the pin down - it'll probably come out. Otherwise, how on earth could the sight be changed!
Carefully cleaned to be sure thre was no crud covering hole.
Definitely not drilled thru. Did use punch to see if maybe it would work - push thru to no avail. On the stock sight it apprears that pin is solid, not a roll pin.
I'm at a loss. It may just be a "staked" indent. If it is try judiciously to drive tht sight out and it may come right out - I can't believe they would drive a pin in a blind hole!
The other option (if it doesn't come out as described) is to set up the slide in a mill and use a drill or small milling cutter to go down and remove that pin so you can drive it out. Then, if your new sight is a Novak style with a pin hole in the front go ahead and drill clear through the hole through the slide and put a roll pin in and clear the bottom for easy bushing replacement.
I use a roll pin about .070.
I switched out the front sight on my SA Loaded mfg in '05. My slide was drilled all the way through. I tapped out the pin from the top using an old drill bit that fit the hole.
Thanks to both people who responded. A friend, did manage to remove the original solid pin. Took some significant time and lots of light hammering but original pin did go thru. Pin wasn't visible without magnification---maybe would have been to sommeone younger eyes.
Anyway he was very helpful, and also "fitted" my new front sight Took lots of "stoning" but everything is installed gun now shoots where I aim it.