Can anyone tell me how to remove the front sight of a Universal M1 Carbine. I have a damaged barrel band that needs replacing, can't get it off without removing sight.
It is not the same as a genuine carbine. I have removed the grub screw (thats what we call them over here) but nothing happens. I don't want to take a hammer or pliers to it.
If anyone has taken one apart and remembers the procedure the information would be a big help.
This is from TM 9-1276 Cal. .30 Carbines M1, M1A1 M2 And M3.
FRONT SIGHT ASSEMBLY
Disassembly. (Depot Maintenance Only)
a. Do not remove front sight unless necessary, as the body of the front sight is crimped over both ends of the front sight pin, and front sight is steaked at rear end in its keyway in the barrel.
That is the first note on this subject, the rest takes about two and a half pages on disassembly and reassembly. And there are two tools, One is the front sight removing tool. (That works like a steering wheel puller pulling off the front sight.) But does not look like one so dont try using one or you will screw up your muzzle. And the other being front sight assembling tool. Who ever thought of those tool names was definately one smart cookie, let me tell you....
This is a bigger project that it would appear looking at the manual. If you are trying to remove a type three barrel band with the bayonet lug and are trying to put you carbine in WWII configuration, I would drill out the rivits on the lug and then replace the old band with a type 1 or two band. This is just a possable solution since you stated that old one was already damaged.
But if you want to replace it with the same type.... I guess you could try Fulton Armory, I'm sure they would be able to help.
I hope this is some help.
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The best medicine on the battlefeild is fire superiority.
Doc C
thanks for your answer. Unfortunately the excellent explanation you provided applies to genuine Mil Spec carbines, the Universal is different, it does not have a transverse pin or as far as I can tell a keyway. There is a tapped hole in the top of the sight on the flat surface behind the sight blade. A grub screw can be unscrewed and removed from this but does not free the sight. I have tried tapping the sight from behind towards the muzzle (with a piece of wood between the sight and the hammer) and I have tried to rotate the sight to see if it is screwed to the barrel. In both cases there was no movement. It looks as if the previous owner had a go as there is copper grease in the tapped hole. I have won a copy of an original Universal instruction leaflet on e-bay, with a bit of luck this will show me how it is assembled. Roll on the day that I can get the real M1 Carbine.
Thanks for taking the time to reply, it was much appreciated
its probably force fit with high pressure, or maybe soldered to the barrel try heating the sight with a torch, being careful not to get the barrel too hot.
I just got one of the Universal M1 Carbines myself...
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When white man found this land, Indians were running it.
No Taxes...
No Debt...
Plenty Buffalo...
Plenty beaver!
Women did most of the work.
Medicine Man free!
Indian men hunted and fished all the time!
White man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that.
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." --Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824.
thanks Papa, I took a look under a glass and it looks as if you could be right. I shall get to work with a blowtorch at the weekend. I still can't work out why it needs the grubscrew, it doesn't seem to locate in anything
Another Universal M1 Carbine question 
