Front Sight Ideas

[westphoenix]

OK I cut down the barrel on one of my Yugos.
As shown in the picture I had a scout mount setup, which is cool and I like it.
But I would also like a standard type fixed front sight (possibly removable, clamp-on or set screw).
I really like the look, size and feel of this rifle now that its cut down.

The Yugo front sight bases do not seem thick enough to drill out. On the Yugo The barrel steps up in size right before the sight base, which is where I cut it. Even if it was thick enough to drill out I couldnt use a set screw to hold it and I do not feel comfortable with trying to do the factory style pinning.

I have checked, AK and AR sights, but the are taller and the barrel diameters are larger.

Anyone have any ideas on what I could do?
Is there a different SKS I could get a sight from and get it to work?

- Click image to enlarge -

[uplandhawaii]

You could turn the barrel down if you have access to a lathe or machine shop and reuse the stock front sight.

It may be possible to reuse the stock sight by redrilling it to fit over the larger diameter of the barrel since you cut the tapered part off.  Mic the barrel, find a drill bit that'll provide a tight fit when bored out and try it.  The walls of the sight may end being too thin.

Just some ideas for you.

[AKBLUE]

Something could be fabbed on top of the gas block. Maybe something simple like the sight and base off a Mosin Nagant and grind/contour the base to sit on the gas block and have it silver soldered or welded.  Not sure on height that you require for that set up.  Hindsight being what it is, I guess moving the hacksaw north about 1.5 inches would have solved your problem.   Any reason you cut behind the front sight vs behind?

[1952Sniper]

Just reweld the old FSB to the top of the gas block.  Lots of folks have done that with their AK builds, and it looks pretty sweet... like a Galil.  You could do the same thing with the SKS for a unique look.




I also remember seeing one guy who had put an Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine front sight on an SKS, complete with the cone flash hider.  That looked pretty cool.  Not sure, though, if the height worked out at all.

[westphoenix]

You could turn the barrel down if you have access to a lathe or machine shop and reuse the stock front sight.

That was my original idea, but after seeing how things were pinned to the barrel and how difficult they were to remove I decided against that. Sme local gunshops also refused and recommended against the removal of the barrel and were not interested in doing the work.

Something could be fabbed on top of the gas block. Maybe something simple like the sight and base off a Mosin Nagant and grind/contour the base to sit on the gas block and have it silver soldered or welded.  Not sure on height that you require for that set up.  Hindsight being what it is, I guess moving the hacksaw north about 1.5 inches would have solved your problem.   Any reason you cut behind the front sight vs behind?

The gas block still has the block-off switch, which will probably never be used for its original purpose. But it is still there and might make mounting a site there difficult. I wanted the barrel to be as close to 16" as possible. Cutting in front of the sight would really not have made the rifle much shorter.

Just reweld the old FSB to the top of the gas block.  Lots of folks have done that with their AK builds, and it looks pretty sweet... like a Galil.  You could do the same thing with the SKS for a unique look.




I also remember seeing one guy who had put an Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine front sight on an SKS, complete with the cone flash hider.  That looked pretty cool.  Not sure, though, if the height worked out at all.

Well I no longer have my front sight as I messed with it a bit trying different ideas. The idea of welding a sight to the front of the gas block is interesting though. Is the gas block made of mild steel? Only problem is it would really suck if I welded off center Any close up pictures of that AK's sight?

Looking into the Enfield sight now.

Thanks guys, keep the ideas rolling in please

[norrin_radd]

When I was looking into doing this I was trying to think of a way to use this clamp on ak sight by ace. Maybe you could come up with a way to make it work.

[westphoenix]

When I was looking into doing this I was trying to think of a way to use this clamp on ak sight by ace. Maybe you could come up with a way to make it work.

That is interesting. The gas tube is usually closer to the barrel on an SKS than an AK, but it might work. Im going to send them an email to see what they say about it.

EDIT:
We have two inside diameters. .750 and .812.
It would not be very easy to make this part fit the SKS. You would need to cut it down then braze or weld it on.

[sks_sniper_clone]

I did the same thing cutting the barrel down to 16 1/4". What I used was a hi-point carbine front sight.I had to cut down the hight and re drill and tap it but it is now adjustable for height and it attaches with set screws.Doesnt look to bad either.

[westphoenix]

I did the same thing cutting the barrel down to 16 1/4". What I used was a hi-point carbine front sight.I had to cut down the hight and re drill and tap it but it is now adjustable for height and it attaches with set screws.Doesnt look to bad either.

pic pic pic 

[uplandhawaii]

I did the same thing cutting the barrel down to 16 1/4". What I used was a hi-point carbine front sight.I had to cut down the hight and re drill and tap it but it is now adjustable for height and it attaches with set screws.Doesnt look to bad either.

pic pic pic 

Yeah, I'd like to see that too, sounds interesting.

[AKBLUE]

I guess you are getting a fair amount of options.  One problem/issue with the gas block mount is that it will be a shorter sight distance from rear to front by about 5 inches over stock form.

[DontSaveHer]

IF 16" is the shortest you can cut the barrel down, do you measure from the begining  of the chamber or, where the rifleing starts?

[uplandhawaii]

You measure from the chamber to the end of the barrel.  If you have a brake it must be pinned or soldered on to be counted as part of the barrel.

[sks_sniper_clone]

heres an old pic of the gun, its back in the wood now. http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/Glennstrmi/Picture136.jpg

[norrin_radd]

IF 16" is the shortest you can cut the barrel down, do you measure from the beginning of the chamber or, where the rifling starts?

Someone posted a while back to cut a dowel to 16" (I'd go 16.25") and insert it in the barrel when the bolt is closed. If any sticks out its too short or something like that.

On that clamp on ak sight, I was thinking about welding it on the gas block like you mentioned westphoenix. Although I didnt think it would be that difficult, it was easier to buy a para

No offense to sks_sniper_clone but IMHO a well done welded on fsb looks better than the high point sight. But that is a really good idea and if it works I aint gonna knock it. Actually, it probably has better accuracy than the welded on to the gas block method because of the greater distance from the rear sight.