1006 front site removal

[Adamg_55]

Hey guys I recently acquired a very nice 1006 and I love it. It has the adjustable sights. My only issue with it is the 3 dot sights, I'm not a fan. So I got trijicon night sites, but i can't get the old front site off. I have the universal sight mover from brownells and even after a lot of torque the sight only moves a small amount, but won't budge more than a small amount and then stops. I don't wanna really crank on it so is there a trick to it? Anything i can do or should i just bring it to a gunsmith?

 

[Badkarma 1]

Gunsmith would be preferable. I use a punch and hammer on a 5906, but when dealing with tritium vials it's time too call in an expert. Dale

 

[Stu454]

Make sure that you're drifting it to the right towards the open ejection port (as the pistol is pointed away from you).

 

[Adamg_55]

Its not getting the new tritium sights on, its getting the old ones off. Also the rear sight is an adjustable one, so I just need to get the front site off.


Also i was drifting in that direction, from the left side to the right towards the ejection port.

Does the brass punch method work? Wouldn't that damage the old sights? Ive only ever used a sight pusher.

Im using

 

[Shadow1006]

The sight pusher should work, try some penatrating oil like KROIL only under the sight, try not to let it run all over.

 

[S&W247]

You can try freezing it as well. Obviously the colder the better, I always take mine to -40 degrees since I have the ability. That might sound funny, but every little bit helps. The thermal shrinkage of probably a few .001" can make all the difference. I would hope the sight pusher would work at that point, but I haven't been able to justify the cost or the time to make one. As for the hammer and brass punch that is what I use. The sights are typcially pretty hard, especially the OEM Novak's so you most like want damage it since the brass is much softer material...thus the reason people use brass. That being said it it still can require some heavy hammering that will make the uniniated nervous. I've got to the point that I just go ahead and use the heviest ball peen hammer I can accurately swing and the brass punch will mushroom and have to be reground before the next job. I shape it on the belt sander to fit the sight as best I can. Obviously a round punch won't get as much contact with the retangular sight base. For what is worth, I've never cracked a slide. Be brave...hammer away.

 

[S&W247]

By the way, if a sub-zero freezer isn't handy, you can pick up some dry ice at Kroger and pack it in that for several hours. Don't forget to wear gloves!

 

[epj]

This rig has served me pretty well for removing Gen3 front sights:

 

[amazingflapjack]

Mike at Novak's suggested a square edged piece of aluminum. I had a piece an inch wide and about 3/16's thick, a couple inches long. I wrapped it with some masking tape, and shot some PB Blaster in the sight base, took slide off, and went after it using the edge of the aluminum at the base and hitting it with a hammer, sharp, well aimed and strongly held shots. Worked for me-same going back in, after some filing.

 

[Adamg_55]

Ok guys i got the front site off, man was it a bitch. I ended up breaking off the top of the front site, then i took my dremel to the base of the sight, basically cut the centre of the site base almost to the slide, and then some serious whacks with a brass punch finally got it out. Success!!!

Now I'm on to the rear adjustable sight. How do i get the old sight blade out? Im assuming i have to unscrew the end on the left side of the rear sight, whats the best way to do this? Pics or a guide would be helpful.

Im really excited to get these night sights up and running.

Thanks for the help so far

 

[epj]

Those come off just like a S&W revolver sight. You have to break the screw. When you replace it, you need to stake the end of the new screw. There are some good directions on the forum for the revolver sights. I think the adjustable sight blades, and screw sets are actually the same. They sure look the same.