Marlin 39A rear sight base

[sophijo]

I'm replacing the rear sight base and elavator on my 39A, and don't know what I'm doing! The barrel has a "dovetail"; with the old base in it and it looks like one way to remove it is to tap it with a wood dowel? Please advise.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Dfariswheel]

Basically, you got it right.
Better still, use a brass or nylon "drift" or Punch to gently tap the sight out from Left to Right, (as you'd sight down the barrel).
These dovetails are slightly tapered from Right to Left, so you remove the sight from the Left, and install them from the Right.

 

[sophijo]

Dfariswheel

Thanks for the info!