Anyone have any thoughts on sight pusher tools for 3rd Gens?
Sight pusher tool
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JohnHL
Member
A padded vice, a brass or aluminum drift punch, and the appropriately sized hammer.
The "universal" sight pusher.
Not as difficult to master as one might think.
Either way you go, soaking with penetrating oil is seldom a bad start.
John
The "universal" sight pusher.
Not as difficult to master as one might think.
Either way you go, soaking with penetrating oil is seldom a bad start.
John
Also very important to know which direction to take sight off and replace sight. I don't mind the hammer and drift punch taking a sight off but use a pusher to put a new sight on. No sense in marring a new sight or breaking a fiber optic or tritium tube.
Some 3rd gen sights come off "easy", and some are just a downright bear and a sight pusher comes in handy, I've experienced both on my guns.
Marinating with a good penetrating oil is definitely a good preemptive strike.
As for sight pushers... I started out with one sold by forum member EPJ: ** JMT Sight Pusher **NEW LOWER PRICES onREVOLVER PLUGS**Mk V added
First with his original MK III, then upgraded to the improved design MK IV, which has handled the most stubborn sights.
Marinating with a good penetrating oil is definitely a good preemptive strike.
As for sight pushers... I started out with one sold by forum member EPJ: ** JMT Sight Pusher **NEW LOWER PRICES onREVOLVER PLUGS**Mk V added
First with his original MK III, then upgraded to the improved design MK IV, which has handled the most stubborn sights.
Frank Black
Member
Doesn't work on the adjustable rear sight models.
JohnHL
Member
Good point, Ken!
Push off to the right and push on to the left.
If you don't mind my saying, Ken, that strikes me as a curious method.
Sights are "fitted" parts.
New sights a typically "oversized" from the manufacturer, and should be "relieved" by judicious stoning or filing the sight base (never modify an undamaged dovetail) and should install easily with little more than thumb pressure until the last 1/3 of travel.
The necessity of having to beat a sight hard enough to dent the sight body or shatter a vial is an indication that the new sight has not been properly fitted.
An old sights resistance to removal is due to dried oil or corrosion.
Hence the admonition to soak with penetrating oil.
After cleaning, the old sight should be as easy to install as a new, properly fitted sight because, after all, it was fitted when originally installed at the factory.
John
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I use a punch and hammer to remove the old 5903 sight while the gun is fitted securely in a wood-padded vise. Then I used a pushing tool to slowly push in the new sight after slightly filing just the bottom just enough so the sight will push in by hand, maybe not quite as far as John mentioned, but at least 1/3rd the way in before using the tool. My tool is a Sight.tool.com Gen 4. Most universal tools you'll see for sale are rear sight only. Mine can be used for both. Remember that if shopping around.
Dave
Dave
Dave
Dave
OP
I saw an older post here for Jennings Machine and Tool sight pushers. Does anyone have any experience with them?
Jeff423
US Veteran
I bought an X2 sight pusher from sightpushers.com and it works great (but there currently seems to be a problem with security on their website).
I also have VISM Universal Pistol Rear Sight Tool which looks very capable but has never been able to move any sight for me.
I also have VISM Universal Pistol Rear Sight Tool which looks very capable but has never been able to move any sight for me.
Start at the 7 minute mark.
S&W 3RD GENERATION DISASSEMBLY (SLIDE) VIDEO #2 OF 4 - YouTube
S&W 3RD GENERATION DISASSEMBLY (SLIDE) VIDEO #2 OF 4 - YouTube
Walter Rego
Member
The 3rd generation pistols with the adjustable sights don't require a sight pusher tool.
After carefully removing the rear sight body (and being careful that the tiny plungers and springs don't launch themselves somewhere never to be found) you can remove the set screw that holds the winged base in place in the dovetail. Maybe add a few drops of Kroil, and finger pressure should be enough to push the base from left to right and out of the dovetail.
I have one of the MCStar VISM sight pusher tools. I used it to move the rear sight on my CZ 75 PCR just a hair to center it. It worked like a charm although it took more pressure than I was expecting to get the sight moving so that sucker must have been really tight and yes I did remove the set screw first. No marring to the slide nor sight occurred.
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Just got mine 2 weeks ago. I got the Mark V. Haven't used it yet, but it is a quality piece. For S&W 3rd gens, you will need an add-on or two.
Send him an e-mail. He responds fast and will tell you what you need for your specific pistols.
I figured I need to swap dead night sights on 3 Smith pistols and a Sig, so if it prevents me from messing up just one slide, I'm money ahead.
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