New front sight for '03-A3

[cooper]

I'm looking for a front target sight for my '03-A3 Springfield.  I want something with a base that encircles the barrel, which is then held onto the barrel by friction by tightening the screws in the base.

The top of that base has a dovetail, and you attach something like a Lyman 17A.

Does anyone know of something like that which will fit the '03-A3 barrel? 

I'm trying to get the original front sight off now.  I've already broken or bent a couple of pin punches trying to punch-out the pin in the bottom of the original military sight.  It's in there tight!!!  It's soaking in penetrating oil now.

[30calflash]

 Here is something that should work.  Your a3 sight has the band and ramp as one piece. the front sight blade is pinned into it. On the 03 the base is one piece and the ramp is a second piece that is dovetailed to the band. You can separate the ramp from the band and you'll have a minimal gunsmithing installation. The dovetail portion is about 1/4" wide so you don't have a wide area to work with. But it should work well enough with a lyman 17 globe front sight..

 You also might find a band style front sight base available from a specialty supplier of target rifle accessories. It's used to clamp a base to a straight section on the muzzle end of the barrel. It is usually made for a standard diameter, usually .750 or .812" The 03 barrel is smaller than this I believe.

 Lastly Lyman used to make a one piece front sight with the band as part of the globe sight. All one piece. It's a very old number though, tough to find. You may find one at a gunshow. HTH.

[bilmac]

I don't remember about springfields, but I believe Mauser fronts are sweat soldered in place as well as pinned.

[30calflash]

 03 springfields have a sight that is pinned into a key that is mounted into the barrel at 12 o'clock. There is a small pin that retains the sight blade to the sight base. They can be tough to remove as they were tight when installed. Add rust or whatever and it will be very tough. The hole in the key may not match but I'm sure a secure method of attachment is doable. Maybe non permanent Locktite would work. The sight blades between an 03 and an 03a3 are different.
 If I can I'll try to get some pics in a few days.

[Darreld Walton]

Best bet for your rifle with the least cash outlay would be to remove the A3 front sight base, and install one for an earlier M1903.  Then, get one of the Lyman 17A's that are made to fit that dovetail, and is locked in with a set screw in the front of the base, just like the original '03 front sight is.
I've used that setup on a couple of target setups and hunting rifles, and it works just fine, no issues with being loose, and it's easy to use an original rear sight with that height, if you need to. 

[prairiedog555]

I got a front sight hood for my '03, from sportsmans guide, that I think would fit. $14.  It makes a big difference in sight picture.