axeman_g
Member
Can anyone here give me the stap by step process to uninstall my factory sights and then install the aftermarket Ghost rings sights I purchased for my XD.
Installing sights in a Springfield XD
- Thread starter axeman_g
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yotehunter
Member
Its kind of hard to give step by step because it seems every set up is alittle different. Some people have no trouble and some can almost ruin the gun trying. Myself I just used a small brass punch and knocked mine out. I was very careful and used a padded vise.
I first soaked the sights with penetrating oil. I dont know if this helped or not. I then started tapping lightly gradually increasing the amount of force. They knocked out fairly easy. I installed the sights the same way. I wouldnt recommend this for night sights. Most gunsmiths dont charge very much for this and they have the proper tools. I have heard of some trying to change sights and they say the original sights will not budge . I guess I just got lucky with mine.
I first soaked the sights with penetrating oil. I dont know if this helped or not. I then started tapping lightly gradually increasing the amount of force. They knocked out fairly easy. I installed the sights the same way. I wouldnt recommend this for night sights. Most gunsmiths dont charge very much for this and they have the proper tools. I have heard of some trying to change sights and they say the original sights will not budge . I guess I just got lucky with mine.
CUELLO ROJO
Member
I ALSO HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE REMOVAL OR ADJUSTMENT OF THE SIGHTS ON MY OTHERWISE VERY FINE SPRINGFIELD XDs. I CALLED SPRINGFIELD AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO SIGHT TOOL AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF DAMAGE TO THE SIGHTS. I HAVE NOW ORDERD 2 NEW GUNS WITH ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. HOWEVER, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER THERE IS ANY TRICK TO MOVING THE SIGHTS IN THEIR FACTORY DOVETAILS. WOULD PUTTING THE SLIDE IN THE FREEZER OVER NIGHT HELP? CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHETHER THEY HAVE TRIED THIS?
SouthpawShootr
Member
Tapping night sights isn't a good thing. You rupture those vials and you're out of luck. Over at www.hs2000talk.com, the most common report is that factory sights are an absolute bear to remove. I haven't removed sights on an XD, but I install my own night sights on my Glocks with a generic sight pusher that is supposed to work for something like 95% of the autos out there. It's not as nice as the Glock factory pushers (which only work on Glocks by the way), but I've other makes I want to change the sights on. This is the best one you can get and it works very well (it's not the one I have, btw): www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6841&title=UNIVERSAL+SIGHT+INSTALLATION+TOOL
Here's the one I have:
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/Pro...=SEMI+AUTO+UNIVERSAL+SIGHT+TOOL&s=25256#25256
If I was just interested in changing sights on this one gun and nothing else, I'd inquire with Springfield about the possibility of sending the slide and sight in and having them install it. It'll be cheaper than a sight pusher. Added advantage is that if they muck it up, they'll fix it.
Here's the one I have:
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/Pro...=SEMI+AUTO+UNIVERSAL+SIGHT+TOOL&s=25256#25256
If I was just interested in changing sights on this one gun and nothing else, I'd inquire with Springfield about the possibility of sending the slide and sight in and having them install it. It'll be cheaper than a sight pusher. Added advantage is that if they muck it up, they'll fix it.
CUELLO ROJO
Member
SPRINGFIELD XD SIGHTS
Thanks SouthpawShootr
I tried the universal tool from Brownells. It works fine on my other guns, such as my 1911s and Glocks, but it won't budge the XDs that I have tried it on (two of them). I guess I am just going to have to try the deep freeze trick and post my results.
Happy Holidays.
Thanks SouthpawShootr
I tried the universal tool from Brownells. It works fine on my other guns, such as my 1911s and Glocks, but it won't budge the XDs that I have tried it on (two of them). I guess I am just going to have to try the deep freeze trick and post my results.
Happy Holidays.
Frenchy
Member
Lex said:
That is your best option!...Next would be getting your hands on some C-4!!
Trust me on this...I had an XD-40 that I liked, but since have traded. I put on a set of Firesights. The factory sights were a real pain, and I cannot stress that enough. I ended up clamping it down and going at it with a hammer and a punch. Tried to pad the punch some, but really had to whack away at it to get the front one off. The rear one came off a little easier. Best advice, if you are a little leary, get someone else to do it for you. If you like to tinker and don't worry too much about things, then by all means give it a try yourself.
Install of the Firesights was easier. The front one I did file a little off the sides to get it started in the groove. Once started, a couple of hits and it was in tight. Never had them move on me. Started by marking the slide with a pencil to indicate where to center the new ones. That helped since adjusting them once in would not have been fun. Shot point of aim and worked well with factory ammo.
Traded it because it did not like reloads. Tried all kinds of fixes, even had some other reloads that did not chamber. A pet peeve of mine; like to reload and would have hated having that gun and always having to use factory ammo.
Good luck.
Install of the Firesights was easier. The front one I did file a little off the sides to get it started in the groove. Once started, a couple of hits and it was in tight. Never had them move on me. Started by marking the slide with a pencil to indicate where to center the new ones. That helped since adjusting them once in would not have been fun. Shot point of aim and worked well with factory ammo.
Traded it because it did not like reloads. Tried all kinds of fixes, even had some other reloads that did not chamber. A pet peeve of mine; like to reload and would have hated having that gun and always having to use factory ammo.
Good luck.
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