Removing Bushmaster front sight pins

heavydoc

heavydoc

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I am trying to remove the pins on what I was told is a bushmaster barrel. Everything I have found on them says the only come out one direction. These appear to be rounded over like rivets on both sides. Anyone seen this before? I am wanting to change the barrel nut and possibly put on a gas block! Thanks20210502_141135.jpg20210502_141146.jpg
 
That's correct. They are tapered pins. Hit from the small side to remove. The few I've done seem like the ends are mushroomed like rivets as well but seems to be an optical delusion.

But they always slide right out once they get started. I'm no smiff but a size between small pecking device and a large flailing maul and a sharp rap or two generally unseats them.
 
Guess I'll make a block to lay the barrel in and get to hammering, thanks
 
All the Above is True!! They will make the Pope cuss!!
But once ya get em going they will move well.
Just start on the proper side and you'll get it!!👍
 
Tagged so I's can learn which'n is the "small" side.
 
What has worked for me...every time:

5/16” punch, 3lb drilling hammer and 2x4 blocks. You can’t “tap tap tap” those pins out. One or two good, solid whacks is usually enough to get them moving, then, you can switch to a 3/32” punch to get them the rest of the way out.
 
heavydoc said:
Guess I'll make a block to lay the barrel in and get to hammering, thanks
Click to expand...

I’m assuming the barrel is still attached to the upper.

If you have an upper receiver vise block, put it on the upper and c-clamp it to your benchtop / tabletop...that’ll keep the receiver end from moving around while you’re hammering the pins out. Once you clamp it, put your blocks underneath the front for support.

The more solid the barrel/receiver is held, easier it will be to get those pins out.
 
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Dale Gribble said:
I’m assuming the barrel is still attached to the upper.

If you have an upper receiver vise block, put it on the upper and c-clamp it to your benchtop / tabletop...that’ll keep the receiver end from moving around while you’re hammering the pins out. Once you clamp it, put your blocks underneath the front for support.
Click to expand...
It is not. It has the wrong barrel nut for my upper.
 
heavydoc said:
It is not. It has the wrong barrel nut for my upper.
Click to expand...

No problem.

You can support the chamber end of the barrel with wood blocks and if you happen to have a piece of scrap leather around, you can use that to protect your barrel and still c-clamp it down.
 
Dale Gribble said:
No problem.

You can support the chamber end of the barrel with wood blocks and if you happen to have a piece of scrap leather around, you can use that to protect your barrel and still c-clamp it down.
Click to expand...
Great idea, I was gonna build a block for the front sight to sit in so I wouldn't have a chance of bending the barrel, if that would even be possible. But with my luck 1 hit and it would look like a boomerang
 
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lol...sounds like you have luck just like mine.

Sometimes, I have the polar opposite of the “Midas” touch and what I touch turns into sh*t.
 
I'm starting to think yoins had some difficulty with these pins!
 
Well gonna start working on these sometime during the week or Saturday if I don't have to work
 
heavydoc said:
Great idea, I was gonna build a block for the front sight to sit in so I wouldn't have a chance of bending the barrel, if that would even be possible. But with my luck 1 hit and it would look like a boomerang
Click to expand...
If that happens, look on the bright side, you will be able to shoot around corners with it.
 
Derek8404 said:
You could also just dremel off the top and turn it into a low pro gas block. Pretty easy to do.
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I was gonna do that, but my friend who gave me the barrel wants the sight if I don't need it
 
www.brownells.com

BROWNELLS AR-15 FRONT SIGHT BENCH BLOCK | Brownells

Big, tough, polyethylene block gives fitted support for installing/removing the front sight assembly on mil-spec, AR-15 rifles and carbines. Precision-machined and clearly marked on both sides for driving the mounting pins “IN” or “OUT” of the sig...
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com
 
chris69 said:
www.brownells.com

BROWNELLS AR-15 FRONT SIGHT BENCH BLOCK | Brownells

Big, tough, polyethylene block gives fitted support for installing/removing the front sight assembly on mil-spec, AR-15 rifles and carbines. Precision-machined and clearly marked on both sides for driving the mounting pins “IN” or “OUT” of the sig...
www.brownells.com www.brownells.com
Click to expand...
I may still buy one, but I'm cheap and stuff is getting outrageously priced
 
heavydoc said:
I may still buy one, but I'm cheap and stuff is getting outrageously priced
Click to expand...
They are handy. I have also drilled out a space in a 2”x4” for the pins to fall through and commenced to beat the pins with a big hammer and appropriate punch until removed.
 
Also, I’m pretty sure you drive the pins out from the left side. Might not be for all brands but it seems to be pretty standard.
 
LeeMajors said:
Bring it to lunch Friday and I'll bring the hammer and punch
Click to expand...
Not quite sure how I feel about you wantin to take my barrel to pound town....🤣🤣🤣
 
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I recall my old BM had stubborn pins too and I ended up buying a taper pin removal tool from X-ring products. I don't think they're in business any longer, but Wheeler Engineering makes something similar
www.wheelertools.com

Wheeler Gas Block Taper Pin Removal Tool | Wheeler

Wheeler Gas Block Taper Pin Removal Tool
www.wheelertools.com www.wheelertools.com

Applying Kroil has helped me in the past with stubborn pins as well.
 
The front sight block I have are marked with pin or pin out. Helps
 
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