3rd Gen Rear Sight Removal Tips?

[Gunhohulk]

I have a 4516 that I’m giving a deep clean as the previous owner seemed to be under the impression that Hoppes No. 9 is a CLP. I’m having trouble getting the rear sight loose so I can access the parts/area underneath it. I’ve been trying to drift the rear sight from left to right (as viewed from the back of the slide) but it won’t budge. Does anyone have any tips for a stubborn rear sight? I’ve already tried soaking with kroil then hitting the back of the slide with a heat gun before attempting to drift it out with no results.

Alternatively, would depressing the two plungers on the slide that pull up from the sight cut and blasting them with One Shot or something similar be good enough to clear any residu and leave a bit of dry line behind or is that not the best plan? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[JohnHL]

I have encountered some really stuck rear sights.

Of course, remove the set screw.

Yes, soak with penetrant. (Through the screw hole, too.}

I mount the slide only in a heavy and solidly mounted vise with some wood slats to protect the slide from the vise jaws.

I use a brass or aluminum drift with the end shaped like a "D" as big as the side of the sight.

I drive the sight, left to right as you said, with AS BIG A HAMMER AS IT TAKES!!!

Keep the flat side of the "D" tight against the bottom of the sight dovetail and make strong, square blows with the hammer.

I've never damaged a slide or a sight (including night sights).

It WILL come off.

John

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a 4516 that I’m giving a deep clean as the previous owner seemed to be under the impression that Hoppes No. 9 is a CLP. I’m having trouble getting the rear sight loose so I can access the parts/area underneath it. I’ve been trying to drift the rear sight from left to right (as viewed from the back of the slide) but it won’t budge. Does anyone have any tips for a stubborn rear sight? I’ve already tried soaking with kroil then hitting the back of the slide with a heat gun before attempting to drift it out with no results.

Alternatively, would depressing the two plungers on the slide that pull up from the sight cut and blasting them with One Shot or something similar be good enough to clear any residu and leave a bit of dry line behind or is that not the best plan? Any advise would be appreciated.

Spray with brake cleaner.......Blow out with hi-pressure air hose....Assemble and shoot........You may destroy more that you fix if you keep it up.

 

[JohnHL]

Spray with brake cleaner.......Blow out with hi-pressure air hose....Assemble and shoot........You may destroy more that you fix if you keep it up.

"A man's got to know his limitations?"

Seriously, a lot of sights can be tapped out with a plastic hammer while holding the slide in hand.

Some sights are tighter than others and some are REALLY STUCK!

If a sight is a little stubborn, I mount it in my smaller, padded vise clamped to my wooden bench and I use a drift and a small ball peen hammer.

If it is REALLY STUCK, the slide comes with me out to the garage, and it goes in the bigger vise on a steel work bench that is bolted to the wall.

The reason I'm pointing this out is that most of the force needed to remove the sight is dissipated by loose mounting of the slide, overly strong swings with too light of a hammer, and glancing blows because light hammers cannot provide force and accuracy with heavy swings.

Just like "use enough gun", use enough hammer and vise and you'll get the job done quicker and easier.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[HeloMt]

Firing pin removal and cleaning is more critical than removing the rear sight to clean the springs and plungers. With the firing pin and spring removed, use an aerosol cleaner, spray the area inside the slide where the firing pin resides (this will get into the plunger areas, as well). A pipe cleaner will allow you to push through and clean the firing pin hole in the breach face. Follow that with a solvent soaked q-tip. Blow things out with compressed air. Reassemble and lubricate. You should be just fine...

 

[Gunhohulk]

Thank you all for the tips.

 

[WR Moore]

One tip I didn't see: DON'T LOSE THE SPRINGS UNDER THE SIGHT! Also, when you take the right hand safety lever off, put that retaining spring & plunger together with the lever so you don't confuse it with the detent spring on the other side.