Experienced Advice Requested

[Walter]

I want tritium sights installed on my carry gun, a CZ Rami .40.
I can get the sights from PT NightSights.

My question is, how hard is it to drift the dovetailed front sight
off the slide, without damaging the slide?
I have looked at various front-sight-pushers, (B-Square and Williams)
at Midway and Brownells, and they just don't look that hard to use.
But do they work the way they are supposed to?
I read some reviews on one, and it seemed the "pusher" screw kept
jumping up over the top of the sight it was supposed to be pushing.

So should I invest in a front-sight tool and do it myself, or should I
bite the bullet, so to speak, and find a gunsmith to do it for me?
And if I do find a 'smith who will do the job, what would be a reasonable
fee for that work?

Help me if you can, I NEED night sights.


Walter

 

[cntryboy1289]

info for you

I would make sure to use a pusher myself, the glass vials can be broken by using a hammer and a punch, even if the punch doesn't hurt the sight itself. I take it from what you have said that you have a dovetailed sight, if this is the case, make sure to use a pusher that pushes on the side of the dovetail and not on the sight itself.

A smith will charge what it costs in time which shouldn't be more than a 1/2 hour, but each job is different. I won't give you a qoute on it simply because you never know about the little details about is it the right sight to begin with and if you have to open up the dovetail slot or anything else. Ask before you leave it with a smith and he should have an idea about what he thinks it is going to cost. If he is worth his salt, he should have a decent idea for you.

 

[larvatus]

Dovetails are usually tapered to permit removal in one direction and installation in the opposite direction. Consult the factory for their instructions.

 

[Walter]

cntryboy and larvatus, thanks for the input. I had never thought about
breaking the glass, although since you mentioned it, it seems like
an obvious possibility. And I did not know that dovetails were tapered
in one direction.

I think I'll save myself the cost of a front-sight pusher, and a probable
headache, and find a gunsmith to install the sights for me.

Walter

 

[cntryboy1289]

good idea

The glass vials do contain a radioactive material that you don't really want all over your gun and hands.

I use a pusher anytime I put these on a gun, but for any other type of sight, you can use a hammer and a soft punch and be fine.