Adjusting the Romanian Front Sight Post

[WiFAL]

I was able to crack the horizontal adjustment of the AK front sight loose using a small nut under a nut splitter backed up with a washer on the other side. It still required use of penatrating oil before it would budge but it moves nicely now.

I haven't had the same luck loosening the vertical adjustment of the site post even after application of penatrating oil.

Is there something I'm missing here and what stops the post from turning out under fire? I don't see a spring plate like that used on a FAL. (Of course as tight as this post is nothing would budge it.)

I did shoot the rifle before adjusting the sights. I needed to move the post left and bring the post down.

[raeldridge]

you really need to buy one of the sight adjustment tools. if you have a cleaning kit, they have an adaptor in there that will fit the front sight.

it screws up and down like, well, a regular screw. the base of the sight is split and spread out so it hugs the threads to fit tightly.

throw some more penetrating oil in there on it. may be some heat too.

if it's one of the Romy G's, every one I've seen has been tight. don't think they were ever adjusted once they came from the arsenal.

[WiFAL]

Thanks raeldridge. I saw the slot on the bottom of the post and thought maybe the Romanians had a special slotted angled screw driver that would permit turning the post from below.

Far fetched I know but damn this sight will not turn and I was looking for reasons why.

Thanks for the heads-up.

More KROIL is in order.

[tuck0411]

WiFAL, you have any luck getting your front sight post to budge? I'm facing the same problem with a couple of Bulgy AK 74s I just picked up. Been using a plastic Tapco tool on them, but have twisted it nearly in half trying to move those sight posts. Maybe I should try some Kroil? Going to need a new adjustment tool as well, I think...

[tuck0411]

One of my fellow Filers clued me in to this tool:
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/akfst-ultimatekalashnikovsighttool.aspx
Now to order some Kroil and maybe that thing will budge...

[TnHawk-45]

If you look at the issue cleaning kit, you will find there is a 'piece' for adjusting the front site post also. Needle nose pliers work well also after penatrating oil. Usually what is holding them so tight is dried cosmoline dried to the threads.

[Topbanana]

Adjust sight on AK? Nyet, don't use "sight tool." Use punch and hammer.

No, seriously, works just fine and it saves you $20.00!

[Tak]

Just use an allen wrench with a slot cut into the end (dremel!) to adjust the sight post. Works great, and cheap!

[tuck0411]

Originally posted by Topbanana
Adjust sight on AK? Nyet, don't use "sight tool." Use punch and hammer.

No, seriously, works just fine and it saves you $20.00!

For windage or elevation? I don't know the recommended procedure for adjusting windage on an AK front sight, but I don't see how a punch and hammer would work for elevation...

[catmguy445]

A hammer and punch won't work for elevation. The only way to adjust elevation is to screw the front sight post in or out. Screwing it down (clockwise) raises the point of impact, and unscrewing it (counter-clockwise), lowers the point of impact on the target. I have one of those AK/SKS sight adjustment tools, and they really do work. They don't cost much, either. The one I have I bought years ago when I got an SKS, and it works on my WASR-10, so it should work on yours too. It's also a lot more precise than using a punch and a hammer, although that does work for windage. I kind of like the idea of cutting a slot in an allen wrench for elevation adjustments, though, not a bad idea.

[gunplumber]

you must be pretty good to make half millimeter windage adjustents with a hammer and punch.

I like the large 4"^2 T-handle Chinese tool. The small one is a joke. Available from PolyTechnologies (formerly Kengs).

http://stores.polytechparts.com/catalog/100-019.jpg


For installing new ones I use the East German Armorer tool, becuse it has a slot for the sight post.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/notes/notestools/toolsddrak/v103.jpg

I recently had a chance to try the Magnamatic. Was favorably impressed. Sold through OneSourceTactical, Dillon, etc.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/uimages//AKFST_m.jpg

[Topbanana]

Needle nose work good for elevation, save you $20... It's just an AK.

[kmurphy]

I need to try to find one of those East German AK sight adjustment tools. Anyone have a source?

[gunplumber]

I believe there were only 6 armorer chests brought in to the country 4 years ago. I bought one. It was a $1200 gamble as they were sealed and no parts list.

John Baum and I ended up doing an English translation of the manual. AK and Makarov


http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/notes/notestools/pagenotestools.shtml

[kmurphy]

Originally posted by gunplumber
I believe there were only 6 armorer chests brought in to the country 4 years ago. I bought one. It was a $1200 gamble as they were sealed and no parts list.

John Baum and I ended up doing an English translation of the manual. AK and Makarov


http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/notes/notestools/pagenotestools.shtml

Thank you for the info, and for documenting contents of the DDR chest. I took a look and appreciated the "in use" pictures for all of the various tools.

-Kevin

[davedude]

That chinese sight tool set is just the one i have been looking for! Thanks for posting that. Got one on order.

Dave Dude

[tuck0411]

I recently ordered the Magnamatic that GP mentioned, but as it turned out OneSource Tactical was out of stock on them, so I cancelled that order and went with the UTG model that AIM had in stock:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XUTGSCPWEA05&groupid=64
After an application of PB Blaster to the front sight post, it worked like a charm, at least for vertical adjustment (haven't needed to try horizontal yet), and at $9.95 vs. the $29.99 that OneSouce wanted for the Magnamatic, I'm very happy with it.