How difficult to change AR-15 rear sights?

[1911 guy]

I have recently found my eyes don't take well to the small apperture of National Match rear sights anymore, and I no longer need the NM setup anyway. How difficult would it be, with no AR specific tools, to swap both the apperture and the elevation dial for standard parts?

I'm not a gunsmith, don't play one on T.V. and haven't even stayed at a Holiday Inn recently. I shoots 'em, but don't wrench on 'em.

 

[DMK]

Take a look at this schematic here. I don't think it's difficult, but I have a high mechanical aptitude.

This Army Technical Manual gives the specifics and is a good reference for building AR15s: TM 9-1005-319-23

You'll definitely need a good place to work with good light. You'll also need a set of punches to drift out pins (85 and 86 on the diagram). Pay attention to the small springs and detent balls (three each, parts 78 and 84).

I just put one of those together this weekend and it took me maybe 20 min, taking my time and enjoying a cold beer.

 

[Grunt]

If you are talking about an A2 upper, drive out the roll pin in the windage adjustment knob and CAREFULLY remove it to prevent losing the detent bearing and spring. Now unscrew the windage screw until the aperature comes loose and replace it. When you put the new aperature on, depress the aperature spring to get the screw all the way through the rear sight body until it bottoms out. Install the detent brearing and spring, put the windage knob back on, align the hole of the screw with the hole in the windage knob and drive the roll pin back in until flush.