Changing M&P Sights...

[Capt_Destro]

Hey all, I got my M&P9 recently. I purchased Ameriglo IDOTs and the front sight dovetail has been a nightmare. The rear sight is built very tough. I got it in with no issues using a brass punch as hammer, it cleaned up well. There wasn't any dents. The front sight however on installation the brass punches actually dented part of the sight. It was cosmetic but I just wanted to warn you guys. Use a sight pusher for them. Ameriglo makes real good quality products, but they need to be installed professionally with a sight pusher.. I sorta went through 2 front sights already and just learned to deal with my OCD. The 2nd time I used a smaller hammer and brand new brass punches and I still have had issues/filed off the bottom. I blame Smith and Wesson's tight tolerances, I had no issues like this regarding Glock. Ameriglo has been great and they made it right, but I really don't wanna bug them a third time..

I noticed the Smith and Wesson factory sight's are a really hard type of steel, and the finish on them is hard as well (A regular file won't even take it off) Believe me I beat on the thing like crazy with a punch and carpenters hammer for it to budge, and it doesn't have so much a dent. It's kind of amazing how much abuse the factory sights can take. They can definitely take a hit to the pavement if it ever happened.

So I'd say use caution, not all sights are created equal here.

For people without a sight pusher I found a real good solution to taking the front sight off instead of messing with a hammer.
(Even those with a sight pusher who can't get it off)
You use an automated center punch on the blade of the iron sight as low as possible to the dove tail. Do not risk punching it from the dove tail because you do not want that kind of pressure hitting your slide. I found it easy to remove and even put the factory sight back on with this method. I would only advocate this if you are throwing the sight away.
With this thought in mind does anyone make a center punch that actually uses a brass or aluminum punch instead of steel. I seriously think this would be a good/cheap idea for gun smithing for those who don't want to blow $200 on a sight mover.


Next payday I'm ordering a new front sight, and I'm having a gunsmith do it. This is pretty aggravating in general. Some sights you can get away with using a hammer and punch, while others you need the sight pusher. Just a warning to all, use my mistake to educate yourselves.

Does anyone know of an alternative front sight that is compatible? Height appears to be .230"

 

[bxny10455]

I bought a sight pusher to replace the sights. It has paid for itself more than I can imagine.

 

[Rusty53]

Agree sight pusher is the only safe way to go..

 

[agksimon]

Way to remove the sights using the following steps:
1. Spray penetrating oil in the dovetail from both sides and holding the slide so it soaks in and let it set for a couple of hours.
2. Put the slide in a vise with magnetic rubber protection pads for vises, available at any hardware store.
3. Cover the side of the sight and the steel flat punch with electrical tape and then a layer of oil on both. This will prevent marring of the sight. Drive the sight out with good, straight, sharp hammer blows.
Be careful on the rear sight, after loosening the set screw, not to knock it out all the way, or the disc and spring from the striker block will fly out. The rear sight is usually quite a bit looser than the front one.
I took a tongue depressor and ground it to fit the dovetail and slid it in as I removed the rear sight, the rest of the way.

 

[epj]

You can find a pusher in the classifieds that I manufacture that works real well on M&P's. Works on Shields as well, but works best on them with some optional push pins. Costs way less than $200.

 

[S&W Rover]

For those who need a sight pusher from time to time, you can rent one for a week from Speed Shooter Specialties for $25.

Search Results : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties

 

[Capt_Destro]

Oh nice, I seen that sight before but they were out of stock :S

 

[walkin' trails]

The captain is right on the mark. I had paid a gunsmith to install Heinies in my M&P 45. The I bought the FS9 and decided to save a buck or two with You Tube and a steel punch. The rear sight was not a problem. The front sight tritium insert lasted a day afterwards before going dark. Really odd to see a glowing rear sight and no front. Anyway, the cost of sending the slide back to Heinie to have a new front sight PROPERLY installed was the same approximate cost as a sight pusher. Heinie does great work, however.

 

[S&W Rover]

I had the MGW sight pusher and used it a lot, then thought I was settling down to one or two M&Ps and wouldn't be doing more work on them. But things change... a sight changer is a great thing to have, and saves a lot of damage to the sights or the slide!

My recommendations for changing or adjusting M&P sights: 1: sight pusher; 2: gunsmith; 3: wooden block to use as a punch; distant #4: a metal punch.

 

[winddummy]

Improvised sight pusher

I have several types of pushers but when I come across one that's being a pain I lock it in a drilling vise with pieces of an old belt to pad it , invert a drill bite and use the drill press to push it out. It has never failed or damaged a slide or sight.

 

[timn8er]

Having read several horror stories involving sight installation or attempted sight installation I don't believe it is something I would be comfortable in doing, even with a proper sight pusher. My LGS does them for $25 while I wait, & I've never had a problem with their work. They may have a press, for all I know. For that kind of money I'll let them handle it because I haven't had a problem with four installations.

 

[Ryo]

I believe there's someone on this site that sells pushers. Username "epj". I was looking at purchasing his pusher. He said his Mark III version would work for my needs which was to push sites off of S&W M&P, Glock, and Ruger 22/45.

 

[Mushki]

I wish I would have found this thread before I did mine. It was a bear with only brass punches and I still mangled the front sight. It works as it should which is good enough for me as I did to my idpa gun which already is fairly worn from holster wear and I just don't care enough about how it looks.