Inexpensive sight pusher?

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Dudedog

Dudedog

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Want to change the front sight in my 1911. (in dovetail)
If I could find a reasonably priced sight pusher I think that would be the best way to go, of course the other option is a brass punch.
Don't mind spending a bit for one but then I don't want to spend $250 on one either.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
 
All depends on the gun. Some you can move with a hammer and punch with no problems. Just make sure you have the frame/slide supported in such a way the load goes to the sight and not move the rest of the gun. Brass punch will leave a mark on the sight, but normally cleans up. Then some are going to require a hydraulic press to move them. I had a friend that need to adjust the sight on his 1911. It required my special setup I use in my 4" machinist vice. Even then it require some very extreme torque applied to the 1/2"-20 tpi bolt to mover the sight. When it moved it sounded like a gun going off. Once it was broke loose it still required some ridicules force. We had to move the sight around 0.015" to get his POA=POI.
 
I have a VISM Universal Pistol Rear Sight Tool. Pretty cheap. Works pretty well in most cases. Probably got it on a Amazon but not sure. Can’t say if it would work on the front. Worst case, you might have to slip a narrower piece of something between the pusher face and the front sight to direct the force on the sight and not elsewhere. Take a look and see what you think.
 
Blue68f100 said:
Then some are going to require a hydraulic press to move them. I had a friend that need to adjust the sight on his 1911. It required my special setup I use in my 4" machinist vice. Even then it require some very extreme torque applied to the 1/2"-20 tpi bolt to mover the sight. When it moved it sounded like a gun going off. Once it was broke loose it still required some ridicules force. We had to move the sight around 0.015" to get his POA=POI.
Click to expand...
Had you used some Kroil, you could have pushed it out with your finger.
 
I thought my wife was one until the divorce. Boy, was I wrong. Seriously, I picked up several lengths of brass rod (in varying diameters) then cut short sections to use with a hard plastic hammer. When they get too expanded to work, I just cut a new one.
 
I have ran across sights that have been crazy tight from the factory. I think they make one just for the 1911 and that would perhaps be better than a universal tool. At any rate, get the most solid unit you can afford, or perhaps take it to your gunsmith who should have a better unit than you can afford to do a single gun. Cheaper than messing up a slide or a good front sight.
 
have you considered asking on a local board, if someone has one to borrow?
 
Hello,

I have this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-...1911-Glock-Shield-sig-And-Others/263191164771

I'll attest to its quality; I like to fit my sights tightly and this one has held up.

For milsurp rifles, I'll continue to recommend Bruce's tools at elby.yolasite.com . I've tried to get him to run 1911 sight tools, but he doesn't have time. Very busy guy; his success attests to the quality of his tools.

Regards,
Josh
 
I remove & install a lot of dovetailed sights, have always used brass & steel punches, along with pieces of shim stock to protect sights when hitting with steel.

If they're particularly stubborn and won't be affected by heat (Hi-viz or night sights), nothing wrong with using a torch and getting things up in the 400°-500° range to start the show.

I don't know why some manufacturers make the sights fit so dang tight. When I mill a dovetail, it's snug enough that the sight isn't going anywhere, but it can still be moved fairly easily with a 12 ounce hammer & punch.
 
MachIVshooter said:
I remove & install a lot of dovetailed sights, have always used brass & steel punches, along with pieces of shim stock to protect sights when hitting with steel.

If they're particularly stubborn and won't be affected by heat (Hi-viz or night sights), nothing wrong with using a torch and getting things up in the 400°-500° range to start the show.

I don't know why some manufacturers make the sights fit so dang tight. When I mill a dovetail, it's snug enough that the sight isn't going anywhere, but it can still be moved fairly easily with a 12 ounce hammer & punch.
Click to expand...

Hello,

I've seen Tritium vials busted with hammers and punches..? This is what got me using sight pushers. I had no desire to bust one myself.

Regards,
Josh
 
Joshua M. Smith said:
Hello,

I've seen Tritium vials busted with hammers and punches..? This is what got me using sight pushers. I had no desire to bust one myself.

Regards,
Josh
Click to expand...

You have to be careful with night sights, don't hit them next to the insert, but drive at the base. They're built to withstand the violent action of slide recoil, though; not particularly fragile parts. Overall, impact driving is less likely to damage sights and dovetail cuts than pressure alone.
 
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