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Front sight stuck

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:46 pm
by Ponder_Md
Hi all,

I have a new-to-me 1948 Izhevsk M44. Although it groups reasonably tight, it shoots way to the left.
I bought an Elby sight tool but it wouldn't budge. I applied heat, Kroil and a drift and it still won't budge. This is the wider base.

Also, I observe a small pin in the sight base. Does that mean that the base and sight can be removed for maintenance? Obviously this hasn't been apart for 73 years. The rifle is clean, with no corrosion.

Let me know what you think.

Re: Front sight stuck

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:18 pm
by steelbuttplate
Ponder_Md wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:46 pm Hi all,

I have a new-to-me 1948 Izhevsk M44. Although it groups reasonably tight, it shoots way to the left.
I bought an Elby sight tool but it wouldn't budge. I applied heat, Kroil and a drift and it still won't budge. This is the wider base.

Also, I observe a small pin in the sight base. Does that mean that the base and sight can be removed for maintenance? Obviously this hasn't been apart for 73 years. The rifle is clean, with no corrosion.

Let me know what you think.
My '53 Polish front sight won't move with everything you tried plus a big hammer and cussing. I gave up and bent the front post a little to sight in. :bonk:

Re: Front sight stuck

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:03 am
by House Beagle
Before you try anything drastic, maybe try with the bayonet extended next time. I know this can sometimes fix POA/POI issues with 91/30s, not sure how it works with m44s but it’s worth a shot (pun intended)

Re: Front sight stuck

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:45 am
by Junk Yard Dog
These were apparently sighted in with bayonet deployed. Have you shot it that way, and if so what were the results. It did have a noticeable impact on some of my M44's target groupings. Sometimes these sights are super tight, over tight to start with, plus staked in place.