[p89cajun]

I was wondering if someone had a link to some good directions for removing and installing a front sight that is peened / staked on. I want to change the ones on my rock island and would like to try and do it myself. The rear is just a dovetail and will drift in and out but the front one kinda worrys me.

[JesseL]

I don't have a link, but I'll bet you get better results from a search for "front sight staking". The proper term for how 1911 front sights and plunger tubes are attached is "staked".

[p89cajun]

Thanks. I was talking to a local gunsmith and he called it being peened on. I edited my post to include staked.

[rcmodel]

GI & other iron sights:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=916&title=1911%20AUTO%20FRONT%20SIGHT%20STAKER

Tritium night sights:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13163&title=1911%20AUTO%20SIGHT%20STAKING%20TOOL

Just knock out the old sight, and Dremel out the inside edge of the hole slightly to make more room for the tenon to flare out and get a good hold.

Use a good steel support surface that won't mar the GI or iron sight.
Stake it in place, and grind off any excess sticking up above the surface of the slide so it won't interfere with the barrel bushing.

Night sights are another matter.
You have to use the proper tools or the Tritium vile will probably be broken.

rcmodel

[gb6491]

A couple of "how it's done":

http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/stakedfs.html

http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/Details2.htm - scroll down to he end of the Feb. 5th entry

Regards,
Greg