There is NO weld or pin.
Your tension spring is probably weak or bent as mentioned.
The easiest way (relatively speaking) to get the leaf out is to press down using some sort of HARD plastic (or brass) tool at the base of the leaf sight where it pivots in the rear sight block. You will need to press pretty hard, and you may want to wear gloves so you don't gouge your hand. While pressing down on it, press it towards the rear of the rifle. Eventually it will pop out once the pivots of the sight leaf clear the indents in the rear sight block.
Once the rear sight is out, you will be able to see the spring. It should have a decent arch to it and should be stiff when you press down on it.
To remove the spring, just pull it forward towards the front of the rifle. It should pop out of the small detent in the rear sight block. You may need to use needle nose pliers.