OK, it has been a while since I've looked at it, but how difficult is it to remove the front sight base from an AK (74, if it matters)? Just a couple pins, right?
Usually not so simple. Once the pins are out, a BFH will probably be required to "persuade" the front sight base to come off. If it's really stubborn, you may have to cut it off. I ***-u-me you're replacing a neutered FSB with a threaded one?
I have had many that needed to be pressed off. I wound up cutting off a couple that I knew I was going to throw away. I have also had some, like the last Romak 2 I just did that all it took was hitting it from side to side (after soaking with CLP) to loosen it up, then slowly working it forward as I hit it from side to side. I block the barrel up on a 2x4 on the concrete floor of my garage. Trying to do it on a work bench makes it more difficult as the bench absorbs some of the impact that you want given 100% to the sight block.
When I cut the ones off, I used a dremel with a cut-off wheel, and used light cuts to make sure I didn't get into the barrel. When I got close, I used a chizel to break the cut which spread the sight enough to slip it off. Only one cut is needed, then spreading the block loosens it enough to get it off.