Ok so how hard is it anyway........

[cslinger]

To install your own night sights? I mean are we talking about rocket science here. Just curious as I hate paying for other people to do work that I think I can do myself.

Don't get me wrong, I really don't know how hard this is so it might be worth every penny of your everyday installation charge but somehow I believe I could do it.

So what is involved. Any special tools?

Thanks

Chris

 

[Morgan]

You can use a punch and mallet, but a sight pusher is a better option. Most places will install for free if you buy the sights from them.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

You can use a mallet and punch, but if the dovetail is tight, you might break a night sight, or damage it (at least cosmetically.)

Night sights are relatively fragile.

(If you don't have access to a sight pusher for your particular gun (or a universal unit that can be adapted), just spend the money and have a gunsmith install it.

 

[Eric Larsen]

There is not rule for sight installation. Some sights may just tap right on in there with no work at all...others require extensive fitting and filing of the sights to fit the dovetail.

My meps and trijicons have all had a little note in the intrustions that say "some fitting may be required for proper fit". Its been the case in all but one...For a good smith to do the work its 15-20$ typically...easily worth it in my opinion, alot cheaper than ruining a slide or your nights or both...plus if a smith does it and hurts them...you should get them to replace them also.

If your gonna try this...use a sight pusher. Tapping on delicate tritium inserts can be hazardous to their health.

Shoot well

 

[krept]

It is also good to know which direction to tap/remove the previous sight and insert the new one.


(edited - grammar rodeo)

 

[hitnthexring]

I installed night sights on 2 Sigarms pistols easily & without damaging the slide or the sights with the Sig Sight Tool. Previously, I paid a "gunsmith" to do it & he scratched the slide & it was obvious he didn't use a sight tool because there were dents in the sight. Recently, the instructions that came with my P220ST said "The Sig Sight Tool must be used for installation.

 

[MLH]

I noticed that the instructions that came with my night sights said to be installed by a blacksmith in order for the warranty to be honored. Since the're warranted for twelve years I had done by a smith. Best play it safe.

 

[hksigwalther]

"I noticed that the instructions that came with my night sights said to be installed by a blacksmith..."

Just curious, how many horses did he have to use?

 

[jamestech]

Unfortunately my local Blacksmith is busy filling a sword contract and I am too poor to buy a sight pusher so I made my own pusher using a .99 C-Clamp.

 

[MLH]

All right

As you can tell I raise horses and my mind is in short supply today!

 

[m14nut]

Jamestech...........

I'll finish reading the rest of the posts after I wipe my mid-swallow Coke from the monitor.......

Swords....................excellent!!!!

"under the spreading chestnut tree the villiage 'smithy stands...."

quite the visual, I imagined him with a shoulder slung MP5....LOL

Chris~

 

[Sastrugi]

Some sight mfg. {like Novak's} actually make their sights oversize to insure fitting in all slide dovevtails. There can be significat variance even just from dull cutters, etc. Even with a good sight pusher you may need to file fit the sight to your dovetail. {Glocks are prime example of this}. Brownells makes a file that matches the actual bearing surface on the sights dovetail. Usually only takes minimal metal removal so it's wise to go very slowly {-060} to get the right press-fit. Their #2 fine, single-cut, 60 degree
usually works well and is only $12.


http://www.brownells.com/Product/productDetail.asp?Spec=&ProductID=080648160&CategoryID=0

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

In my "continual 1911 hunt", I was over at Kiesler's wearing my Glock 27. The guy that runs the place walks by and says, "Will, you really ought to get night sights". I say, "What's the best." He says, "Trijicon's, but we have some that cost a little less". I give him my G27 and 15 minutes (I thought it would take longer) later he hands it back with the Trijicon's perfectly installed. (Never had to make one single adjustment.) I had been talkng to a LEO who was there to pick up his new back-up piece--a new Glock 27. He smiled approvingly as he saw me take back my own G27. He passed me at about 90 MPH on the way back to Louisville. He gave me a "thumb's up" signal as he went by.

KR

 

[CZ Gunner]

Whew ... I was worried this was a Viagra question or something .. tee.hee.hee

I would have a Smithy do them ... usually done pretty quickly and for not to much. (Lots better than scratching up or ruining the a nice piece by doing it yourself.)

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mini14jac]

I just called a local smith last week to ask about putting night sights on my MK9.

(I didn't know what to expect, as he kind of a grumpy old fart. There was a time when you asked him about any gun, he would say "Well, those aren't nearly as good as a 1911.")

But, he said he was familiar with Kahr pistols, and would install my sights for $20.
He said the old sights would be almost impossible to remove, so he normally cuts them off.
I guess Kahrs are getting pretty popular when small town Tennessee gunsmiths are familiar with them.