Stoeger Shroud Removal

[Nail Gun]

I have a Stoeger X3 Youth Model I recently picked up for my kids. So far I have tuned it, refinished the stock (because it had amazing grain hiding under the stain), and significantly improved its horrible trigger.

The last remaining issue are the sights. The front sight is molded into a plastic sleeve/shroud that is pressed over the barrel. Unfortunately the shroud is canted to the right.  That has caused me to max out the windage adjustment on the rear sight. It's on but barely. I would like to rotate the shroud to the left until it's centered. But the shroud is on fairly well. There is a set screw "attaching" it but removing the set screw does not help. The shroud is on too firmly.

The shroud is the same shroud you see on many Stoegers. It is not a muzzle break, air stripper, or anything of the like. It is simply a shroud/front sight. Has anyone successfully removed one of these shrouds without damaging anything?  I prefer not to apply heat but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!

[TC]

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to remove the muzzle break. I used a heat gun in constant motion then a block of oak wood to tap it off. Make sure you unscrew the hex screw on the bottom. Pressure fitted only on my X5 and X10 (no glue). Found the muzzle breaks extremely tight around the end of the barrel. They would not budge until I applied heat. I use scopes, and found exact Stoeger muzzle break replacements without sights. When installing/reinstalling, heating them up prevents the inside from being chewed up by the barrel as you gently tap back in place. Have fun with the X3. My X5 is loads of fun.

[Nail Gun]

That makes sense. I will give it a shot. Thanks!

[Nail Gun]

Quick update, After removing the set screw I used a heat gun to warm things up. It took awhile to apply even heat that was sufficient to soften the shroud without melting or distorting it. After that I was able to gently rotate the shroud into position without removing it. Once it cooled off it locked itself back on the barrel quite firlmy.

I have yet to re-zero the sights but I suspect they are in a much better position. Thanks for the advice. I never would have thought to pull the ole' heat gun out.