Front sight on Mauser M48

[MountainCat]

I just picked up a 50s Yugo M-48 the other day. The front sight is shifted to the left at almost it's full limit.
A quick assessment (10 rounds) showed that the sight likely has to be shifted even farther.
Initially, I was worried that the barrel may be bent but a quick net search revealed that there are others with the same issue.

I can't tell with my eyes if the front sight mount is rotated but that is probably the cause. Correct?

How common is this situation with Mausers?

[vbrtrmn]

You should be able to drift the sight to the left and right with a punch or press.

Read this article on replacing the sights and you'll see a pic of him drifting the sight out.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/mojot38/index.asp

Here's a review on a tool for adjusting the front sights, not sure about the cost.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/lt2/index.asp

Any gunsmith should be able to do this for you.

Good luck!

[MountainCat]

Thanks but that's not the problem. I'll try to explain better.

A previous owner (manufacturer??) sighted the gun in by drifting the sight all the way to the left and it needs to go farther. It could possibly go a little farther and still have good contact with the dovetail but I would rather fix it properly.

My best guess is that the front sight mount is not clocked on the barrel properly.

At this point what I plan to do is de-solder the mount and clock it with a digital level.

I was really more curious as to how common the problem is. I would think that a rifle builder would have a jig for something that needs proper alignment when it's soldered.

[Afrikaner82]

It sounds like you have a rifle with poor workmanship to it at the factory. I have not needed to move my sights on any of my Mausers. Do not know what would have caused it but go to the surplus forum and see if anyone has had the same issues.

[Jim]

I wonder if the barrel is bent.

[Jacob]

A lot of the Yugos were 'thrown' together, despite being nice most of the time out of the box, they assembled so-so. How does the rear sight look? It could be a tolerance stack of the two being out in opposite directions, check them both. Also check for severe stock pressure on the barrel, that could be shifting, and of course look at the crown.
Shoot it close, at 25 yards, then gradually take it out and see how the POI changes and does it group ok just extremely to the left, or does it group badly to the left.
Lot of variables, let us know what you do wind up finding to be the problem.