TruGlo TFX install

[AnselHazen]

I bought a set of TFX for my Steyr. I had a conversation with my LGS about what was needed to do it and pretty much no one in my area has a pusher that will do them. Just read the thread a little bit below by BaMurph and his Dawsons. Went and watched the video on the Dawson site. I've never done it before but I have the patience to try it and not force the issue.

Any more tips before I start assembling what I need to go for it?



Dawson Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp8tqXvnNEA

 

[rcmodel]

All very good, except the part about filing the dovetail with a needle file.

The way I have always done it is take just a frog-hair off the bottom of the sight.

That lowers it slightly in the slide dovetail for the perfect fit he was showing in the vid.

You can do it easily, and precisely by rubbing the sight on a flat sheet of black emery paper, on any hard flat surface.

IMO: Much easier then trying to file on the tiny dovetail itself.


rc

 

[AnselHazen]

Hah, you're right. That would be a much better way to lower the profile so the new sights fit right.

I'm looking all over for the nylon tipped punch Dawson is using.

Also wondering if I might be better off buying a Harbor Freight 1/2 ton arbor press. Set up a jig for my slide and push the sights out.

 

[rcmodel]

I prefer a brass punch.

If you don't have that, an empty cartridge case slipped over the end of a steel punch will protect the sight.

Even an empty case over the end of a bolt will work in a pinch.

1/4" bolt with ,25 ACP case on it.



Doesn't take much to put a properly fitted new sight on.

But you may need that big hammer in the Dawson vid to get some really tight factory sights Off!!

BTW: I would not lock-tight it on until you can go to the range and sight it in. Then mark the position and take it back off and lock-tight it when you get back home.

I have used Blue 242 Lock-Tight for many years and never had a sight move.

rc

 

[AnselHazen]

Sad to say RC but I can't say I've ever run across .25 ACP when I've been brass hounding at the range.

I looked though, and a 1/8 steel punch I have fits the slot for the front sight. You've made me think I might be able to use a 22lr case instead.

 

[rcmodel]

Possible.
They are pretty thin though and won't last too long before the punch goes through and marks the sight.

Keep an eagle eye on it!!

rd

 

[BBBBill]

Rub a lead pencil all over the side where your hitting the sight to prevent the brass/aluminum marks from embedding in the steel. One of the pro smiths uses a bit of fiber reinforced strapping tape over the tip of the punch, replacing often as needed. Works well. An aluminum or brass punch can be fabricated from key stock. Shape it to fit the sight with as much bearing surface as possible. Make it just smaller than the slide dovetail so that you don't hit the slide when driving in the sight.
Dawson also sells an aluminum punch with some of his sights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do8sHBDfIGk

 

[AnselHazen]

Hmmm. Lets see what an email to them will net me. I'll ask about the nylon tipped one in the video too.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't waste your money on a nylon punch.
They are too soft and springy to deliver a solid whack to a tight sight.

Never tried aluminum.

But you can buy a 36" length of aluminum rod at almost any hardware store and make about 9 punches for about .55 cents each!!

I still prefer brass, and they will come in about $1.00 each when you cut them from 5/16" or 3/8" brass rod from the same hardware store.

rc

 

[orionengnr]

RC delivers as always.

Once upon a time I had to remove a set of factory sights from a Kimber, and I did not have a press. tried numerous punches; that sucker wasn't going anywhere.
Took my Dremel with a small cutoff wheel, and put a slit cross-wise in the old sight.

Did this for both front and rear sights on my Kimber, and later on for a friend's.

Renders the sight useless for re-installation, so this may be a last resort. Needless to say, you had best have a steady hand, too.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've installed 4 sets of Dawson sights the past few months and only one didn't mangle the aluminum punch to the point where it was unusable and that was because the front sight was too loose in the dovetail. If this happens to you be VERY careful if you try to center punch the base material to make it tighter... The steel is pretty soft. I use a sight pusher or brass punches.

 

[AnselHazen]

Well I'm trying to put a set of TruGlo TFX on my Steyr. Which are notorious for being a royal you know what to get done.

Cutting the original sight is a novel idea but I don't think I'd try it free hand. The gun is over 2 yrs old and comes by whatever wear it has honestly, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I nicked the slide.

Dawson says they make the nylon tipped punch. Part number 098-008 but out of stock currently.

RC of course points us all towards the most frugal way to achieve the goal. Most likely I'll wind up doing something along those lines. Have to see if I can get anything that will work locally, otherwise if I order online I might just buy a nice brass punch set. They don't look too pricey.

 

[AnselHazen]

Fisher T1003 Sight Pusher. $59.95 Worked like butter. Took less than an hour and 45 min of it was learning curve. Not a mark on my slide.

 

[olafhardtB]

I have never tried it, but I have found 10x32 and 8x32 nylon threaded screws at hardware stores. I also found 4 and 6 x32. I use them for sight posts.

 

[AnselHazen]

Very happy, both with the TFX from TruGlo and the pusher tool itself.

 

[drband]

Nice sights! Good job with the install!