So I brought my shield in to a certified smith and Wesson gunsmith in order to install my I dots. This is my first gun ever and I really didn't want to mess it up by doing something like this myself on my brand new gun. After he installed it ( with an aluminum punch and hammer) he pained over the sights a bit with something called aluminum black? I thought this was weird because I don't see why you would want to paint the sight after. After getting the gun back I noticed some grey areas or scuff/marks on the dovetails. The part in the picture actually Is hard to get a picture of but it is very faintly bent inward kinda like a dent but it's very hard to notice. The biggest thing that sticks out though it that discoloration.

I just wanted to know is this normal for sights install or should I complain to the gunsmith? Is there anything I can do to fix it? He has SW certificates and I'm just some Joe Shmoe so I didn't want to question him but I'm kinda unhappy with how it looks.

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That looks more like something I would do. I would think that a gunsmith would do better.


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I had a set night sights install a set on a on shield he had a check of a time putting them on but look good

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I've invested on a sight pusher and I do the sights on all my guns without having to use a hammer and without leaving marks. Probably you gunsmith should invest in one too. To pay somebody to hammer down the sights, I would just do it myself, to answer your question it looks ok.

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M&P 9, Shield9.

I don't think it looks bad. If you said you did it yourself with a punch and a hammer I'd say it came out good. However like you I would have thought a certified gun smith could have done better. My LGS put my sights on my Shield for me no charge bc I purchased sights from them. They came out great. However I did not see the tools used bc they did it in the back, but I didn't hear any tapping or anything. They probably had a sight pusher which is what I would expect from a business who offers that service and has a gunsmith.

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Semper Paratus

Unless you have a sight pusher, these sights have to be beat in/out. Yuk!

I cannot believe a certified gunsmith don't own a sight pusher but I do .....I would have left once I saw a punch in his hand

Yeah, no. Tell us his name so we won't use him. Don't go back. Or you could make him buy you a new set of sights.

S&W have a reputation for some of their sights being installed extremely tight at the factory. I would expect a professional gunsmith to use a sight pusher tool, one that is specifically designed for the particular pistol, not a hammer and punch.

While some on the forum have stated that they can knock out the S&W sights with a hammer and punch, the proper way for a professional to do it, or a novice that wants to ensure it is done correctly, to ensure the sights and slide do not get damaged is with a sight pusher. If the task is done properly, there should not be any marks or bending of parts involved.

One shop I deal with indicated that he has spent $900 on one of the better sight pusher tools with a variety of inserts. I spent approximately $100 on mine for my 3rd gen S&W.

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DAV Life Member

Is there any way to fix it or should I go back and ask for a install refund ?

The aluminum black isnt a paint... its a chemical that will darken the look of aluminum though an oxidation process similar to cold bluing.

its not a big deal. he used an aluminum punch because its softer than steel and while some of the aluminum will actually rub off onto the steel, it will come off with some cleaning. I can't remember what I usually use when I have to clean some aluminum rub marks off. I think I just use hoppes and a stiff nylon brush. some kind of penetrating oil would probably work too. The smith was just being lazy using the aluminum black to basically try to turn the aluminum marks black, but that stuff doesn't really work the greatest.

its basically the same idea as copper fouling in a bore. the softer metal is just kinda stuck to surface of the harder metal and you just have to get something that'll get up underneath and release it.

BTW: Bill Dawson of Dawson precision only uses aluminum punches and hammers for installing sights. just saying... you don't have to use a sight pusher to be a pro.

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Equal opportunity shooter

He should have used a sight pusher but he was prolly being lazy so he used a punch and hammer. IMO, its really not that big of a deal. I say you go out and enjoy the gun cus its not worth stressing over.

A bluing pen will rub off aluminum marks from blued steel.
No one should ever have to "beat in" sights; they should be properly fitted.
Instructions for DP Parts

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Science plus Art

I wouldn't say that's horrible, but for a supposed pro it is distinctly half-a***d.

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Pisgah

It's not really a big deal. If you can't scrub it off, cover it up with one of these:

In my opinion it doesn't look that bad. It looks pretty much like what anyone could do at home with a punch and hammer.
The thing with me is that if I take it to a professional, I expect a professional job. That means using a sight pusher.
These M&P sights can be a bear to install. I am surprised that a professional gunsmith doesn't use a sight pusher. A pusher will generally install sights without banging them up. There will probably still be a small mark, but a pusher will allow the sights to be installed without the tool marks and finish damage that a punch will produce.
The reason for that is that with a pusher, the ram stays in contact with the sight and using a steady force, pushes the sight into place. With a hammer and punch, you use blows with the hammer to knock the sight into place. The punch will bounce upon impact and produces the dents or depressions in the sight. Using an aluminum punch will diminish this, but it still can damage the finish on the sight.
It's too late this time, but the next time I would look elsewhere.

Even with a pusher sometimes marks will remain. I have had good results cleaning up marks from other folk's work on sights. A Q-tip and this:

Birchwood-Casey-Perma-Paste

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CERAKOTE Svcs.
Class 01 FFL

What he says ^

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DAV Life Member

I've had similar [much worse] experiences with gunsmiths. I bought my own pusher and do my own work anymore.

It could be worse. My LGS put on a set of Williams Fire Sights last week with a hammer and punch. They reimbursed me for the cost of the sights, but I didn't notice the punch marks on the slide until after I got home. There are also scratches on the slide next to the front sight.

My new M&P 22 Compact:

Ouch ! What a butcher job. I am sorry to see that someone did that to your beautiful new S&W. There should be a waiting period, background check, and proficiency exam before dealers are allowed to buy a hammer and punch set.

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DAV Life Member

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Good stuff

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Equal opportunity shooter

Wow. Sorry that someone masquerading as a gunsmith did the damage they did to your firearm. There is no excuse for that.
At least they reimbursed you for the cost of the sights, but IMO they should also pay for a new slide too.
If a gunsmith can't do a better job than that, then they shouldn't be in the business.

Certified Hammer Permit?

Even a good-quality sight pusher CAN mark up a sight during installation. (Some dovetails are very tight, and some sights are not all that HARD.)

If the original poster is concerned about appearances, a little flat black model paint will cover the marks (if they're not, as someone suggested, some residue from the aluminum punch), and that's not an area that is frequently cleaned, so solvents aren't likely to remove the paint.

The picture of the Williams Fire Sight install was different -- and it looks as though they used a sledge hammer. That is unacceptable, and if they paid for new sights -- and you didn't pay for installation, that owner should try installing the next set, himself. EBAY has some reasonably-priced sight pushers that, while NOT designed for specific guns, will work well with most handguns.

That's my plan. Gonna get a sight pusher and give it a whirl. I figure I can't do any worse than that.

And yes, I agree that they should pay for a new slide as well. However, I didn't notice the slide damage until the next day, so I have no actual proof that they did it. I'm willing to let it go and move on.

It doesn't matter what service I'm contracting, I always ask how it is going to be performed. That simple inquiry, and being up front about my expectations, has saved me countless headaches over the years. There is no reason an armorer/gunsmith shouldn't have access to a sight pusher.

That's terrible. I would demand he replace the sights and reinstall them.

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I have a sight pusher but I hate to mess up $100 sights or $500+ firearms, so I either mail them (and the slide) off to a real pro (XDman is one) or I have a local guy who is also a friend do it.

The OPs gun isn't that bad in my opinion; the 2d one is AWFUL.

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Loving retirement!

ouch! That wasn't done by a competent gunsmith - hack job for sure.

I've not only had sights damaged but I had a smith deform the dovetails.and slide on a new Kimber 1911 years ago.

A real "gunsmith" doesn't do work like that! I'd take them back and demand that he buy them and reinstall or return the factory sights. Then, find a true "gunsmith" and have it done correctly.