Browning questions

[A. Cooper]

Prior to browning a barrel is it advisable to remove the sights before starting? Also how do you protect the screw threads on the lock plate and trigger plate? Thanks for your patience with the new guy.

[Sidelock]

If you are doing the "cold" browning using LMF Barrel Brown/Degreaser or something similar, remove the sights.  The sights will get in the way of the carding of the flats that needs to be done between each application.  My preference is to not even install the sights before cold browning/blueing and cut the dovetails for the sights afterward.  As for the screw holes,  having them rust up to the point of being useless has never been an issue in my experience.  If you were really worried about it, you could plug them up with a dab of modeling clay.  If you are planning on using the "hot" browning stuff, can't advise on that, don't use it. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Remove the sights prior to polishing the barrel, having finished the rifle to this point.  There is no need to protect screw holes in trigger or lock plates.  Any substance that you will squeeze into these holes will contain some oil that will interfere with the solution, and ruin the job.  Same goes for the breech plug...in my humble opinion.
Underlugs are driven in and staked to be permanent so they stay while you brown.  At least that's how I do it.

[smallpatch]

Amen to what Taylor said!!

After browning, I'll usually run a tap with oil through the plate holes. Probably not really necessary, but I do.