Changing Model 39-2 Rear Sight

[Green Frog]

On paper it’s easy to change the rear sight on a Model 39. You just lift up the “tongue” of the existing sight, swivel it 90 degrees and slide the sight base out from the slide dovetail. Installation of the new sight is just the reverse.

What’s the problem? How do you lift that front part and start it around without scarring up the top of the slide? Has anyone found or made a tool that fits that recess in the slide to lift the front of the sight tang? If yes, pictures and/or sources would be most appreciated!

TIA, Froggie

 

[squidsix]

I use a dental pick in a hoot shape. Blue tape on the slide where it could scratch. And pry it up enough to move it. The first one I did, it was a real bear, and I bent it up too far, causing a little misshaped area at the front of the sight. The good news is that lollypop sights are cheap and seem plentiful enough. If you need one let me know.

 

[Green Frog]

I guess I was too timid when it came to prying up the front of the sight tang... it seemed like the tool was going to give way before the sight lifted.

Did auto-correct get you? What is "hoot shape?" I'm guessing maybe I should use one that has a little spoon shaped end? Or did you mean hoof shape? I'm not familiar with that one. I hadn't thought about blue tape. Is that the same blue tape used by painters for masking off the areas they don't want to paint? I was planning on using the real man's friend, duct tape.

I bought this gun for my Dad in like new condition in the Spring of 1978. Dad was left handed so I put an ambidextrous safety on it, and then I got him an extra mag or two for it as well as a couple of holsters. Then if he fired it more than a hundred or so rounds I'd be amazed. I inherited it from him a couple of years ago and the only upgrade I never got done for him while he was living was the adjustable rear sight, so I'd like to take care of that now, but it's much too nice for me to Bubba it up! Thanks for your input, squidsix.

Froggie

 

[squidsix]

Haha I meant HOOK shaped

 

[jmace57]

Hmmm...I just used an awl and it worked OK.

 

[Alk8944]

I just use an awl to lift the spring leaf. Once you get it lifted slip a thin piece of shim stock between the leaf and slide to keep it from rubbing on the slide when turning it, otherwise it will rub a bright spot on the slide. Once turned it lifts up, not slides out!

Just a recommendation though, don't remove the sight unless there is a very good reason too as every once in a while the spring leaf will break! while I was my departments armorer (about 350 officers) I had half a dozen break when removing them.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for the cautionary note, Alk8944. I wouldn’t do a thing to it except I want to replace the partially adjustable sight with one the adjusts on both axes. I’ll have screw up my courage one day and get it done. IMHO, the 39-2 is about as good a basic 9 mm as was built in that day and with the improvements done will be close to perfect.

Froggie