M&P Shield frnt site removal

[Miken1]

Hi, I want to replace my front site on my S&M Shield . I have heard horror stories with the removal . I hope to hear the easiest way to remove the front sight,I am a rookie at this.I do hope to hear the experienced chime in on the best/easiest way to go about this task. I don't know if this makes a difference ,but mine was MFG on 12 /4 18 . The pic is of my S&W shield

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I believe they are put in with a hydraulic press!!!!!. I moved mine for windage by doing the following.

Put slide in vice padded by a leather glove.
Sprayed sight with kroil.
Heated front of slide with a heat gun.
Used a half round flat punch(made it) to tap the sight over. Still took some serious taps to move it.

........Tried a high dollar sight tool from a friend. The moving punch would not move it and tried to climb over the edge of the sight.
Have moved sight on 3 Shields this way.

 

[jbtrucker]

Fronts sight can be tough , I soaked mine with oil then bent a bronze punch then destroyed the sight using a steel punch and heavy hammer. The replacement Ameriglo was easier to drift in place and has stayed on three years. You can invest in a sight pusher or have gunsmith install it for you , LGS here charges $35

 

[Ziggy2525]

I didn't think the front was too bad to remove. The back was really difficult. If you don't have much experience removing them, have an LGS do it unless you're OK with your pistol being part of a learning experience.

 

[Well Armed]

Wheeler Sight Tool

Invest in a sight pusher... It'll save you time, money, and/or frustration... I use the Wheeler Sight tool. It's well made, and easy to use. I've changed out the sights in my M&P 2.0 Compact, Shield 45, and Walther PPS M2 so far. Took a little longer when I first used it for my 2.0, but the last two times I changed the sights out in under 10 minutes. It only took me that long because I took time to mske sure the alignment was right...

Another reason I purchased it is because I didn't want to ding up the old and new sight as well as the gun by accident while banging it in. I also wanted to install the Apex trigger on both my M&Ps, and that also requires that the rear sight be removed.... Lastly, I usually take the pusher with me to the range after installation, and I can make adjustments on my own if the sights are still off...

I was hesitant because I didn't want to spend the money, but in hindsight, it's worth every penny...

 

[Miken1]

Wheeler Sight Tool

Invest in a sight pusher... It'll save you time, money, and/or frustration... I use the Wheeler Sight tool. It's well made, and easy to use. I've changed out the sights in my M&P 2.0 Compact, Shield 45, and Walther PPS M2 so far. Took a little longer when I first used it for my 2.0, but the last two times I changed the sights out in under 10 minutes. It only took me that long because I took time to mske sure the alignment was right...

Another reason I purchased it is because I didn't want to ding up the old and new sight as well as the gun by accident while banging it in. I also wanted to install the Apex trigger on both my M&Ps, and that also requires that the rear sight be removed.... Lastly, I usually take the pusher with me to the range after installation, and I can make adjustments on my own if the sights are still off...

I was hesitant because I didn't want to spend the money, but in hindsight, it's worth every penny...

Thank You, your response is much appreciated.

 

[Real Old Navy]

Why are you replacing just the front? If you plan on replacing sights on a regular basis I would invest in a sight pusher tool...but, I'm willing to bet your not..I would take it to a LGS that has a certified gunsmith, that's what I did. I didn't want to take the chance of damaging the sights or slide by beating on it with a hammer. Cost should be about $35-$45 bucks (both front and rear) plus cost of sights. Letting a LGS gunsmith do it makes them responsible for any damage, plus he laser bore sighted the sights and Loctited (blue) them. I bought TFO's off EBAY for $75 + $35 labor. He also installed an Apex Striker Block I found for $17. All the work I had them do was guaranteed and so was any adjustments if needed (I didn't). Do it right the first time. I see you have a Shield 1.0...I suggest if you replace the rear sight...you also install the Apex Striker Block..it helps smooth out the trigger. If you are on the South Suburbs of Chicago...check Asgard Arms in Crete IL...great guys. If the gunsmith isn't busy he may do the work while you wait. Call ahead. Everyone there carries a Shield and they love to talk about their guns.

 

[Miken1]

Why are you replacing just the front? If you plan on replacing sights on a regular basis I would invest in a sight pusher tool...but, I'm willing to bet your not..I would take it to a LGS that has a certified gunsmith, that's what I did. I didn't want to take the chance of damaging the sights or slide by beating on it with a hammer. Cost should be about $35-$45 bucks (both front and rear) plus cost of sights. Letting a LGS gunsmith do it makes them responsible for any damage, plus he laser bore sighted the sights and Loctited (blue) them. I bought TFO's off EBAY for $75 + $35 labor. He also installed an Apex Striker Block I found for $17. All the work I had them do was guaranteed and so was any adjustments if needed (I didn't). Do it right the first time.

LOL I find it more difficult to see in low light ,as I get older.

 

[cmj8591]

I just installed a set of Williams fiber optic sights on my Bodyguard. They really show up well. Especially when shooting indoors. Of course, they are not night sights but they make the sights way more visible in low light. They are about 50 bucks from Midway or any of the other supply places. I always used a brass punch and hammer to remove dove tail sights and it works well enough if you are careful. Recently, I have been using a Vism sight pusher that was also about $50 bucks. It is advertised for rear sights but worked great on the front sight also. I am wondering why I fought with the hammer and punch for so long!

 

[Dvan34]

I took mine to a professional and had both front and rear sights replaced with a combat night sight for $80. Well worth getting it done right without risking damage to the pistol.

 

[Miken1]

Thank you guys ,MUCH appreciated responses. I love fiddling around with my things . I ordered an apex striker block to get a smoother trigger . I will try the "Wheeler" sight pusher. We shall see ..lol

 

[CB3]

Thank you guys ,MUCH appreciated responses. I love fiddling around with my things . I ordered an apex striker block to get a smoother trigger . I will try the "Wheeler" sight pusher. We shall see ..lol

You are wise and taking some good advice.

I've replaced lots of sights using both the bang method and a pusher.

Using the bang method, my estimate is you will mar the sight being removed over 50% of the time. Putting a sight back in with the bang method, if you fit the sight to the dovetail properly in a multi-step process, reduces the chance of marring the front sight to about 25%.

Either way, a gunsmith with a sight pusher, or buying your own sight pusher, will actually make you cry less.

 

[epj]

You may want to check this out:
Shield sight change Picture heavy

 

[Well Armed]

You may want to check this out:
Shield sight change Picture heavy

Just like the OP does in the post you linked to, I also use a cheap micrometer to make sure the front sight is centered. That'll usually get you right on target...