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Old 09-27-2017, 03:07 PM
NewToGuns17 NewToGuns17 is offline
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Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself?  
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Default Removing M2.0 sights myself?

Is there an easy at home method of removing front and rear sights? I have many different sized steel automotive punches, hammers and a sturdy bench mounted vice. I don't know if this will be acceptable or even appropriate for the task? I bought hiviz front and rear fiber optic sights. I like doing my own work when it's cost effective, as long as it won't cost me more to fix in the end lol. If so, is it easy to get them spot on with this method? I would buy a sight pusher but it would be used only this once and a gun smith would be a last option unless you all think it's a peace of mind issue. Thoughts?
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Old 09-27-2017, 05:54 PM
OKFC05 OKFC05 is offline
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Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself?  
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Easy? No.
I have done some and they are tighter than almighty, and if you don't have a good vise and know what you are doing, you will make a mess.
I showed my Shield with FO sights to a local guy and told him the same thing, plus that I did not work another's guns.
He did it himself and destroyed the finish on the slide. He also "forgot" to fit the new sights and buggered them.
Your choice; good luck.
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Last edited by OKFC05; 09-28-2017 at 10:39 AM.
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:40 PM
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Yes. They come out pretty easy. I use a plastic (delrin?) punch and a small dead blow hammer. I won't whack on tritium sighs for fear of damaging the little vials of tritium but standard sights or fiber optics are no big deal.
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:51 PM
NewToGuns17 NewToGuns17 is offline
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Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself?  
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How do you hammer them in precisely to get them lined up with where the original ones were? Do they tap that easily back in?
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Old 09-27-2017, 07:54 PM
OKFC05 OKFC05 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewToGuns17 View Post
How do you hammer them in precisely to get them lined up with where the original ones were? Do they tap that easily back in?
Did you watch the video above? You have to fit the sights to the slide, not just bash them in
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:09 PM
NewToGuns17 NewToGuns17 is offline
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Originally Posted by OKFC05 View Post
Did you watch the video above? You have to fit the sights to the slide, not just bash them in
I understand that, but with a nice press fit (so they doubt walk) how do you get them lined up? Surely you don't make them do that you can just slip them in. Excuse my questions, I've never done them before
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:17 PM
Pisgah Pisgah is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewToGuns17 View Post
I understand that, but with a nice press fit (so they doubt walk) how do you get them lined up? Surely you don't make them do that you can just slip them in. Excuse my questions, I've never done them before
You mark the center of each sight on the slide using a pencil or something else easily removed. Be very, very circumspect in using a vise. It is very easy to bend and/or crack a slide by overtightening in the vise, or by incautious whacking on the sights while it's clamped in.

I'd like to add that it is a V-I-S-E. And the habitual improper use of a vise is a vice... ;-)
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:20 PM
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They will tap in about as easy as they tap out in my experience. As for lining them up, I use a set of dial calipers to center them on the slide. Every now and then they can be a little tricky with the punch method. You'll try to move it a little bit and it will jump farther than you wanted and you'll have to tap it back the other way.

Ideally, a nice sight pusher makes the job much easier but it can be done successfully without one.
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:22 PM
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Also, I put the punch as low on the sights as I can get. In fact, in the front sight I use the side of the piece that fits in the dovetail and I don't drive it in or out by whacking on the actual sight itself. If that makes sense.
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Old 09-27-2017, 08:25 PM
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Also, while it should be blatantly obvious, make sure to loosen the set screw on the rear sight before attempting to remove it.

You would think mentioning that step wouldn't be needed but I've seen a couple that were driven out with the screw locked down and it wasn't pretty.
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Old 09-27-2017, 09:12 PM
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Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself?  
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Get a proper sight pusher and it makes the job easy. Some may fit easily but many don't. A punch and hammer aren't really the best thing to use on night sights. I used to have a good pictorial in the notable threads index, but since the photobucket debacle it's not much good.
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Old 09-27-2017, 10:27 PM
NewToGuns17 NewToGuns17 is offline
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Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself? Removing M2.0 sights myself?  
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If i were to have a large round steel punch (just a bit smaller than the dove tail channel) for greater surface area and i layered tape on it so it wouldn't mark up the sight or slide, is that acceptable or is brass better since it will bend before damaging? I understand that if the sight goes in difficult and stops, it needs to have material removed in certain spots (i've built engines so i can apply the concept) but would my idea be looked down upon? I'd rather not buy a pusher as it would be used once and i'd never use it again. I have a large assortment of steel punches at my disposal. I'm taking your advice seriously so don't think i'm not listening, just wondering if it's a good idea since i have 0 experience with this stuff, but i know i'm plenty capable of tackling it with a bit of help from you guys.
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:37 AM
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I'd certainly recommend you buy some brass punches. The steel used in most sights is pretty soft. Then you need to shape the end of the punch so it will fit the dovetail. I make a sight pusher with some M&P speced accessories that you can have at your door for just under a C note. You don't have to tear up too many sets of night sights for that to pay for itself. But, if you must use a punch, please use brass.
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