M1903 Rear Sight Sleeve

[dogboysdad]

I have all the parts to build one and I thought I'd start messing around with it last night. The rear sight sleeve seems like it's gonna be a pain in the a$$ to get on. Do you guys have any tips?

Also, what's the difference between the one piece and the two piece front band/bayonet lugs?

[cwcdl79]

someone who knows more will come along, but i believe there's a cross pin, then you'll need to put a bit of heat on it.

[jak]

I'll answer the easy one first. The one piece bayonet lung/stacking swivel is for a 1903. The separate bayonet band and stacking swivel are for an A3.

What kind of barrel are you installing the rear sight collar on ? An old USGI barrel that previously had a collar installed or a new barrel ?
If it's an old USGI barrel, it should be somewhat easy to beat the collar on the barrel since another collar was already fitted on the barrel.
If it's a new barrel, you might have to cut some metal off the barrel with a lathe to get the collar to fit and then drill a hole for the collar pin.
You have to be sure you have the rear sight lined up perfectly with the front sight when you drill the hole too. There's nothing worse than a crooked
rear sight base. I would probably send the barrel and collar to "chuck in denver" if it is a new barrel. IMHO

[jak]

Chuck in denver usually posts on jouster and sometimes on CMP

[dogboysdad]

It's a used barrel and used sight sleeve. I can slide it down to within 1/2" or less before it gets hard to move.

[jak]

I only did this one time and this worked for me to prevent beating up the collar during install:
1) grease inside the collar and outside the barrel
2) drill a hole in a piece of wood ( I used a piece of 2x4) so that it slips over the barrel but not over the rear collar
3) I only removed the front sight blade and base but not the front collar...I don't think you can remove the front collar.
4) I taped up the barrel so that I wouldn't scratch up the finish.
5) I slipped a pipe over the barrel and against 2x4 and beat on the pipe to push down the collar.

I'm sure there is a professional or correct way to install the rear collar but what do I know.