Star PD rear sight removal

Gazz · July 03, 2012, 21:43

I have a Star PD that is sad shape finish wise and I want to strip it down, blast it and duracoat. However, I cannot get the rear sight to come off. There is one screw for elevation that has loosened the sight considerably but it will not come off the slide. It seems there is some kind of spring holding it in place and I don't want to pry any more than I already have. Anybody ever take one of these off or know how to do it? Thanks for the responses!

**gunplumber** · July 03, 2012, 21:47

There is a dovetail under the flat part in front of the notch portion. (round actually, but same function). So it slides to the rear.

Gazz · July 03, 2012, 23:05

Thanks Mark. Unfortunately it is being stubborn and will not come out. I am guessing that the elevation spring (leaf?) is the problem. Does the elevation screw pass through the spring? I have backed the screw out as far as it will go and it now acts like a captive screw. I can pry the sight up about .12" or so and have moved it back about .025" but that is all it wants to do. I have tapped at it with a brass rod and it will not go. I'm going to soak it in Kroil overnight and try again tomorrow.

**gunplumber** · July 04, 2012, 09:34

I haven't stripped one in years so I'm going off memory, but I think the retaining screw is on the R side and independent from elevation screw. I'll alert George to this thread, I'm not at the shop till Monday so I can't check my files.

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 09:54

Thanks again Mark. I found an exploded view; http://stevespages.com/pdf/star_pd_manual.pdf which gives me an idea of what is going on. There is no retaining screw from the side but something is holding tight!

**MAINER** · July 04, 2012, 10:13

Just guessing here, but have you tried pressing down with a small punch in the hole towards the top front while exerting pressure on the sight to the rear.?

The hole must be there for some reason, other than disassembly I have no idea what it would be. Would like to have a manual for this pistol, not sure it would help here.

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 10:31

That was a good thought about that small hole or depression in the sight leaf but, no joy. I've pushed and pulled in all sorts of ways and while it moves both up and back, it will not break free. Somehow that spring is holding it in place and from the exploded view, I can't see how. There is also a manual of sorts at the link in my previous post if you're looking for one.

tac-40 · July 04, 2012, 10:57

Looking at the schematic. It looks like the firing pin elastic rertaining pin is what is holding things together. I have had this happen on other pistols with the same sort of pin arrangment. Just a thought, but no guidance.

**MAINER** · July 04, 2012, 11:00

Tried your link, but my 'Puter (browser, inet explorer or whatever) doesn't want to go there.
I'm familiar with Steve's pages and will check it out another time.

Been checking my Library , but all I find is an exploded parts pic in a Gun Digest "Exploded Firearms Drawings" manual. Can't figure it out from looking at the pic.

Thanks and good luck.

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 11:38

Thanks for the idea but still no joy. I can lift the sight up high enough that I can see under it and there is no pin there. I can also insert a small screwdriver nearly to the front of the sight without any interference. Eventually, the mystery will be revealed.

ftierson · July 04, 2012, 12:15

It's been a long time since I've taken the rear sight off mine, too, but Mark's instructions are right on...

Remove the rear sight asembly by unscrewing the elevation screw to its limit and then inserting a small punch in the hole (already mentioned above). The entire sight assembly can then be pushed out of its dovetail to the rear...

The sight elevation spring should not interfere with this process...

Perhaps something has jammed in the dovetail preventing rearward movement?

Later Star PDs replaced this adjustable rear sight with a simple fixed sight in a side-to-side dovetail.

Good luck...

Forrest

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 13:00

Success! It took a considerable amount of force and the spring is now feral someplace in the shop. Now for a little soak in the ultrasonic and then I'll go after the extractor and firing pin. Thanks for all the support!

Illurian00 · July 04, 2012, 13:13

http://www.ehow.com/how_8219980_chan...pd-pistol.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i...hp/t-9793.html

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 13:23

I think those directions are for a later model - there is no screw in the side of the slide on this pistol. But thanks anyway!

ftierson · July 04, 2012, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazz

Success! It took a considerable amount of force and the spring is now feral someplace in the shop. Now for a little soak in the ultrasonic and then I'll go after the extractor and firing pin. Thanks for all the support!

I probably should have mentioned that, while the sight elevation spring shouldn't interfere with the removal of the sight, it is not held captive in the slide.

Sorry...

Forrest

Gazz · July 04, 2012, 20:32

No problem about the spring. It took so much force to get that leaf out, there was really no way I could have controlled things enough to save the spring.
Either I'll stumble across it while sweeping the floor or I'll replace it with something - I have plenty of springs and I'm sure one of them will work.
This pistol has a pretty rude appearance to it, like it was painted without being taken apart, sort of stripped of the paint, then spent time in a house that was on fire and then stored in some sweaty socks. The guy I got it from said it was in a safe that had to be torched open after the owner died. He brought the rest of the stuff that was in the safe including a can of black powder, bunch of .45ACP ammo and some .303 Brit. All the ammo was very black and almost furry with black. The powder can had scorch marks on it. The torch driver was very lucky I think.

July 03, 2012, 21:43	#1
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	Star PD rear sight removal I have a Star PD that is sad shape finish wise and I want to strip it down, blast it and duracoat. However, I cannot get the rear sight to come off. There is one screw for elevation that has loosened the sight considerably but it will not come off the slide. It seems there is some kind of spring holding it in place and I don't want to pry any more than I already have. Anybody ever take one of these off or know how to do it? Thanks for the responses! __________________ Gazz

July 03, 2012, 21:47	#2
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,767	There is a dovetail under the flat part in front of the notch portion. (round actually, but same function). So it slides to the rear. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

July 03, 2012, 23:05	#3
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	Thanks Mark. Unfortunately it is being stubborn and will not come out. I am guessing that the elevation spring (leaf?) is the problem. Does the elevation screw pass through the spring? I have backed the screw out as far as it will go and it now acts like a captive screw. I can pry the sight up about .12" or so and have moved it back about .025" but that is all it wants to do. I have tapped at it with a brass rod and it will not go. I'm going to soak it in Kroil overnight and try again tomorrow. __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 09:34	#4
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,767	I haven't stripped one in years so I'm going off memory, but I think the retaining screw is on the R side and independent from elevation screw. I'll alert George to this thread, I'm not at the shop till Monday so I can't check my files. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

July 04, 2012, 09:54	#5
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	Thanks again Mark. I found an exploded view; http://stevespages.com/pdf/star_pd_manual.pdf which gives me an idea of what is going on. There is no retaining screw from the side but something is holding tight! __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 10:13	#6
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,287	Just guessing here, but have you tried pressing down with a small punch in the hole towards the top front while exerting pressure on the sight to the rear.? The hole must be there for some reason, other than disassembly I have no idea what it would be. Would like to have a manual for this pistol, not sure it would help here. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

July 04, 2012, 10:31	#7
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	That was a good thought about that small hole or depression in the sight leaf but, no joy. I've pushed and pulled in all sorts of ways and while it moves both up and back, it will not break free. Somehow that spring is holding it in place and from the exploded view, I can't see how. There is also a manual of sorts at the link in my previous post if you're looking for one. __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 10:57	#8
tac-40 Moderator Armed Curmudgeon FALaholic #: 12090 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SC-Low Country Posts: 4,526	Looking at the schematic. It looks like the firing pin elastic rertaining pin is what is holding things together. I have had this happen on other pistols with the same sort of pin arrangment. Just a thought, but no guidance. __________________ Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ______________________________ If you do in fact have a problem, you have the rest of your life to solve it. How long your life lasts only depends on how well you solve it.

July 04, 2012, 11:00	#9
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,287	Tried your link, but my 'Puter (browser, inet explorer or whatever) doesn't want to go there. I'm familiar with Steve's pages and will check it out another time. Been checking my Library , but all I find is an exploded parts pic in a Gun Digest "Exploded Firearms Drawings" manual. Can't figure it out from looking at the pic. Thanks and good luck. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

July 04, 2012, 11:38	#10
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	Thanks for the idea but still no joy. I can lift the sight up high enough that I can see under it and there is no pin there. I can also insert a small screwdriver nearly to the front of the sight without any interference. Eventually, the mystery will be revealed. __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 12:15	#11
ftierson Registered FALaholic #: 13827 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11,047	It's been a long time since I've taken the rear sight off mine, too, but Mark's instructions are right on... Remove the rear sight asembly by unscrewing the elevation screw to its limit and then inserting a small punch in the hole (already mentioned above). The entire sight assembly can then be pushed out of its dovetail to the rear... The sight elevation spring should not interfere with this process... Perhaps something has jammed in the dovetail preventing rearward movement? Later Star PDs replaced this adjustable rear sight with a simple fixed sight in a side-to-side dovetail. Good luck... Forrest

July 04, 2012, 13:00	#12
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	Success! It took a considerable amount of force and the spring is now feral someplace in the shop. Now for a little soak in the ultrasonic and then I'll go after the extractor and firing pin. Thanks for all the support! __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 13:13	#13
Illurian00 Registered FALaholic #: 28599 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,413	http://www.ehow.com/how_8219980_chan...pd-pistol.html http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i...hp/t-9793.html

July 04, 2012, 13:23	#14
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	I think those directions are for a later model - there is no screw in the side of the slide on this pistol. But thanks anyway! __________________ Gazz

July 04, 2012, 20:32	#16
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,935	No problem about the spring. It took so much force to get that leaf out, there was really no way I could have controlled things enough to save the spring. Either I'll stumble across it while sweeping the floor or I'll replace it with something - I have plenty of springs and I'm sure one of them will work. This pistol has a pretty rude appearance to it, like it was painted without being taken apart, sort of stripped of the paint, then spent time in a house that was on fire and then stored in some sweaty socks. The guy I got it from said it was in a safe that had to be torched open after the owner died. He brought the rest of the stuff that was in the safe including a can of black powder, bunch of .45ACP ammo and some .303 Brit. All the ammo was very black and almost furry with black. The powder can had scorch marks on it. The torch driver was very lucky I think. __________________ Gazz

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