I want to remove the rear sight on my model 59. It looks as if the tongue [muzzle end] of the sight needs to be depressed into the body. Is this correct. If anyone can give me directions I would appreciate it. Since pics are mandatory i have included some as I bought it, and after I worked on it. I first installed a set of pachs, still felt blocky to me as I have short wide hands. Then I got a new backstrap, filled mainspring well, recontoured backstrap taking about .75 inch off of diameter at top. I then made a new set of grips out of zebrawood finished in truoil. The pistol now feels much better to me, and I like the way it looks. Now I need to add some night sights, or a rear sight laser, which leads me to trying to remove the rear sight. Please excuse the pics, I am still trying to get that down correctly. I want to try pics outside if it ever stops raining, and sun shines.
Nice gun, I believe the rear sight comes off from left to right as you are pointing it away from you. You need to use a light hammer and a brass drift to drive it out. After seeing the grips you made I feel like you probably have the skill to do this. I have found that sometimes the dovetails are pretty tight. If that is the case you may have to clamp the slide in a vise while you drive the sight off. There are springs under the rear sight. Be careful that they don't go flying into orbit when the sight comes off. Good luck.
Hi, Thanks for the reply. I was not specific enough in my original post. This model 59 has the windage adjustable rear sight. I think it's sometimes referred to as a popsicle. This sight has a large circular area under the rear sight blade, and a tongue that continues toward the muzzle. There is a small hole at the front of the tongue, as if you use a punch to move the tongue rearward to release the sight. I tried this with a small amount of force, without moving it. I thought that before I got more forceful I would ask if someone was certain how to remove it.
Thats the info I needed. Tried what you said came right apart. I thought I was going about it the wrong way. Thanks again to Center Villian, and Black69 for responding. By the way black 69 thats a great looking camaro on your avatar, is it yours. 10 years ago when my son was 15 we redid a 67 camaro that was a drag car, came out nice, but not as nice as your avatar.
Yeah that's mine. I bought it in 1999 in Las Vegas and restored most of it. Still working on it as there is always something to do. It's a driver and not a show car so it is lot's of fun. Thanks Dave