M1a strip clip

[just bill]

What is the best way to remove the stripper clip dovetail. I have tried most of the reasonable ways and it just doesn't want to budge.
Thanks,
Bill

[cub45]

did you knock the pin out?

[Winger Ed.]

The pin drives out from the bottom after removing the bolt, then the guide slides off to the left.

[just bill]

Yes the pin is out, the guide is not sliding to the !left, as in wedged or stuck.

[Petrol & Powder]

Brass punch and some judicious tapping.

[Mk42gunner]

Never took one off, but if after a thorough soak with snake oil, (um, I mean penetrating oil) and all retaining devices removed, things still aren't moving; get a bigger hammer.

Seriously, things tend to break loose and move with a judicious tap with a three pound hammer that just laugh at anything lighter. It doesn't take a hard hit either.

Robert

[nicholst55]

Never took one off, but if after a thorough soak with snake oil, (um, I mean penetrating oil) and all retaining devices removed, things still aren't moving; get a bigger hammer.

Seriously, things tend to break loose and move with a judicious tap with a three pound hammer that just laugh at anything lighter. It doesn't take a hard hit either.

Robert

While I agree to a point, be careful when removing the stripper clip guide. Receivers have been known to break at that dovetail, mostly during installation of the SCG or scope mounts.

[just bill]

I've tried the judicious tapping with a punch, however not with a 3/4# hammer. I want to remove it, not massacre the receiver, and install a scope mount. Even thought about grinding in half??????.

[Petrol & Powder]

Before you resort to destructive means, .....make sure the pin is completely out (as in make sure it it didn't break and half of it is still in place), set up a support for the receiver (block of wood with clearance for the clip guide to pass through), put some penetrating oil on it, let it sit for a while, and give it a good whack with a hammer and large brass punch.
If you need three hands, get a friend.

[akajun]

While I agree to a point, be careful when removing the stripper clip guide. Receivers have been known to break at that dovetail, mostly during installation of the SCG or scope mounts.

correct, Ive seen it happen, gun will still shoot though but repair is expensive ie a really good tig welder who is not afraid of guns.
What Ive seen is that the hole for the pin get a burr and locks together. Either try heating the guide with a spot torch or just cut it off/ split it through the hole. The guides are easy to find and cheap, cheaper than a receiver for sure. When you

[just bill]

Good and bad!
Got the dovetail out with PB blaster, and a lot of serious tapping with a punch. Got the new on in 2/3 of the way, now it's totally jammed up
Won't go on or off. Would heating the slot be any danger to the reciever??

[akajun]

not if you use a small pencil torch or spot anneal it with a carbon arc rod in a welder

[just bill]

Thanks, I thought the pencil torch would be the ticket.

[just bill]

The pencil torch worked, now to start the installation over again, here goes round 2.

[kywoodwrkr]

Do you mind stating make of receiver?
Thanks.

[Moleman-]

Years ago I removed the clip guide on mine to mount a scope. To make it easier to put on/remove take a little off the bottom of the dovetail on the guide (not the receiver). Doesn't take much.

[just bill]

Mole man, after I got the dovetail off, I took a little off the dovetail to put it in place, maybe a little more snug than necessary, I don't intend to remove the scope mount, however, the next owner may.