How NOT to install Aluminum (Williams Fire) Sights...

[linkmodo]

Yeah... I thought "aircraft grade aluminum" is gonna be as tough as a good steel sight... nope... Now my gun looks uber ugly... Miraculously I got the sights straight in the middle before I completely destroyed my front sight...

Got the Williams Fire Sights from eBay, decent price, but this DEFINITELY need professional install and fitting. I used my filer to file them to the same width as my old sights thinking I can just easily knock them into place... WRONG! These can't be knocked in, probably have to be pushed in using proper sight tool and better fitting.

Ended up with a huge bulge of aluminum sticking out from one side of my front sight... I have to file that bulge flat... The front williams fire sight is very fragile, one knock and the front of the front sight it's bent.

Lesson learned... I think I'm gonna go with a good steel sight next time.

Pics for your enjoyment.

They sure look nice

Punch marks...

Front sight is half destroyed

It does look plenty bright in good light, and useable in dim light. I kinda wish it's green rear and red front.

 

[TYSTYX]

Yeah that sucks. I've learned plenty of lessons the hard way too.

 

[1hatchet]

Well, you did take good pictures.

What a bummer!

 

[ATF]

If you'd frozen them for 24 hrs you maybe could have knocked them in with a plastic punch. Even using a sight pusher could damage aluminum. Sorry but hindsight, not a pun is 20/20.

 

[JWH321]

I have a set that looks exactly like that. I was going to say something in appropriate like "ya get whatcha pay for" but I decided against it. I replaced them with Ameriglo steel. I agree with the OP -- these are fragile. Handle with care.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I have a nice set of TruGlo TFO sights on my M&P 40c that I purchased from a fellow Forum member. I was going to try and install them myself, but found how firmly mounted the factory rear sights were in the dovetail and decided I'd better get professional help. Luckily, my local GT Distributors installed the sights for me for $20.00.

Regards,

Dave

 

[thewittmp]

Thanks linkmodo, it is nice for people to humbly show their mistakes, allowing others to learn.

 

[rsrocket1]

I bought a generic sight pusher from Fisher Solutions. Yes it's a little rough and the thread should be finer, but pushing a sight is much better than banging it. My M&P40 responded well with the brass rod and hammer, but I got a Sig2022 with such a tight sight that no banging would move the sight at all much less be fine enough for sight adjustment.

This pusher worked well although I needed a heavy duty 12" crescent wrench to break loose the Sig sight. The M&P sight moved "smooth as butter" with the pusher which was very handy when I decided to install the Apex FSS kit and put in the USB.

This was a good addition to my tool set and much more economical than a $200+ dedicated sight pusher although I still needed a hammer and brass rod to drift the front sight on my Mosin Nagant 91/30 with that big metal globe around it.

 

[linkmodo]

Tomorrow gonna take it to the range for some firing action and see how it works and update post

If you'd frozen them for 24 hrs you maybe could have knocked them in with a plastic punch. Even using a sight pusher could damage aluminum. Sorry but hindsight, not a pun is 20/20.

Good point, I may order another front sight and try the freezing method next time

I bought a generic sight pusher from Fisher Solutions. Yes it's a little rough and the thread should be finer, but pushing a sight is much better than banging it. My M&P40 responded well with the brass rod and hammer, but I got a Sig2022 with such a tight sight that no banging would move the sight at all much less be fine enough for sight adjustment.

This pusher worked well although I needed a heavy duty 12" crescent wrench to break loose the Sig sight. The M&P sight moved "smooth as butter" with the pusher which was very handy when I decided to install the Apex FSS kit and put in the USB.

This was a good addition to my tool set and much more economical than a $200+ dedicated sight pusher although I still needed a hammer and brass rod to drift the front sight on my Mosin Nagant 91/30 with that big metal globe around it.

Thanks, when I get more than 1 gun I may consider add a sight pusher to the toolbox.

 

[ATF]

Tomorrow gonna take it to the range for some firing action and see how it works and update post

Good point, I may order another front sight and try the freezing method next time

Yes aluminum is very susceptible to heat so the sights should shrink just enough to tap them in if you drop them in the freezer for 24 hrs which should be at least 0 Fahrenheit or below. The problem with a sight pusher is it pushes the top of the sight not the base so an aluminum sight can easily be deformed with too much pressure. Use a plastic punch and tap with authority but if you feel the sight isn't going to go in. Tap it out and using a very fine file or stone and remove a little metal. Refreeze and start again. Take your time for a nice job. They are fine looking sights and you wanted to change the color anyway

 

[taurahe]

The right tool for the job.... I installed the same sights on my shield with no marks whatsoever, but I used a sight pusher made specifically for the shield...

 

[threepdr]

I looks like they will do exactly what they are intended for despite the damage. Dress them up with a black sharpie and drive on!

 

[TexasHRTshot]

I ended up having the Williams Firesights installed on my Shield and I love them. There was no damage done to my sights by the gunsmith. The firesights are super bright and I am happy with my purchase of both the gun and the Williams sights.

 

[Huntrocketman]

Thanks for posting.

I've taken sights out of older all steel guns that I would have swore were welded in place, that's how hard it was to take them out.
I don't think a set of sights ever has to be that tight to stay put.
A quarter of a thousandths of an inch is pretty tight for interference fit of small parts.

At least they will work "as is" and you should be able to dress them up a bit to improve the aesthetics.

 

[epj]

The problem with a sight pusher is it pushes the top of the sight not the base so an aluminum sight can easily be deformed with too much pressure

Just as a matter of information, some sight pushers push on the base. The ones which I designed and offer here on this forum push directly on the base of the dovetail with no vectors in other directions. I sometimes refer to the "other design" as a sight puller.