RE-hash: the missing 3rd generation sight pusher

[Jhp147]

Well, a search here turned up a thread a few months ago in which there was no sign of a S&W 3rd generation sight pusher anywhere. My research today yielded the same...sorta...the lady at MGW said they made them, but "I'd have to buy them from a distributor." No kidding, I say, except that none of the distributors she listed (that I had tried anyway) list that sight pusher. Friendly S&W parts sales guy said, "Yeah, no problem...part number is...oh wait, we don't have those any more." He then said, "Well, get out the old German silver and knock...". I don't want to knock the heck out of anybody's night sights except my own, and he agrees and gives me a number to call. Guess what, it's MGW.
At any rate, I'm at padded vise, penetrating oil or WD-40 presoak, mask off the slide with tape, brass punch ground down to fit the dovetail stage. Unfortunately, time prevents me just sending the slide in to Smith or Novak.
Thought I'd save somebody a trip and solicit any new input, aside from "I got one but don't wanna sell it" (and I don't blame you) or the PI500 which I am NOT hearing rave reviews on so far.
I hate the sights part.

 

[SW CQB 45]

JHP, what gun you working on???

the dept I work for has one and if your close to Victoria, I would be willing to install for ya.

since it belongs to the City, I cannot lend it out.

the pusher part is kinda mangled because whoever used it prior to me finding it did not know what they were doing. when I took over as dept armorer in 1998, I use it on my smiths. I tape to protect the sights and tape on the slide for the front sight to avoid the brass track left behind on the allen set screw.

the tool works, the pusher metal part is just a little mangled up from those prior to me who did not know what they were doing.

I did clean up the mangled area with a file.

 

[cabezaverde]

Any chance of getting some photos of it?

 

[SW CQB 45]

I will snap some pics. its marked SW but its an MGW

 

[Jhp147]

Thanks, CQB, but if you'll recall where you sent that 4566TSW to many moons ago, you'll know I am way north of you. Also, I appreciate the offer but I'm not looking for a lend as they are just too scarce for folks to let go of. AND, I'm pretty sure that MGW doesn't make one (even if the nice lady said so), based on my looking and the last poster's info. NEW INFO ADDED-Confirmed with MGW that they do not and have not made the S&W 3rd generation pusher in a couple of years.
BUT...I'm hatching an idea here. The little part that fits in the slide rails...the one from my Smith/MGW M&P pusher nearly fits. I took out the ambi safety to make the slide slim enough, and I'm nearly there, just need a bit off each side of the part. I'm set for a consult with a machinist tomorrow. Then, if it works, I'll order a part from MGW to replace this one or make into a 3rd generation version. May need a couple for different type rails.
This sounds entirely too easy, so if anyone can see something that would keep this from working, something that hope (okay, desperation) is keeping me from seeing, let me know. I would think someone would have tried this already.
EDIT AGAIN...and while I'm typing this, I get this ad for a NEW type of tool that might work, but is a bit higher:
Kaiser Uni-200L Unitool sight adjusting and installation tool - Top Gun Supply

 

[SW CQB 45]

you can actually see the pushed metal. this is the way I found it when I took over the armory. I actually have the piece turned around to use the more square edge.

 

[Jhp147]

Gold colored? I thought MGW's were all blue, because that is what I've seen. I learned that this is S&W's design, or at least the ones that MGW sold were, not an MGW design. Doesn't look as easy to use as the current MGW one I have for the M&P. I'm trying to picture how the brass stud on top is involved...somehow for front sights?
I have a couple of things in progress that might help me or other folks out. Still a bit away on the info. Is that damaged part a part of the bolt, or can it be taken off?

 

[SW CQB 45]

Gold colored? I thought MGW's were all blue, because that is what I've seen. I learned that this is S&W's design, or at least the ones that MGW sold were, not an MGW design. Doesn't look as easy to use as the current MGW one I have for the M&P. I'm trying to picture how the brass stud on top is involved...somehow for front sights?
I have a couple of things in progress that might help me or other folks out. Still a bit away on the info. Is that damaged part a part of the bolt, or can it be taken off?

this sight tool was bought in the 90's.

the brass stud is attachted to an allen screw. that is what secures the front of the slide so the front sight can push off. I have to mask the slide and the inside of the sight tool with masking tape to avoid leaving a mark.

the screw and pusher part are damaged. it can be unscrew and I am assuming SW would fix if I were to send it back, maybe not if they are no longer made. my guess on the MGW as they looked similiar, I thought MGW made them for SW.

I can actually flip the steel pusher back to the original position.

 

[Jhp147]

Maybe when they come up with a new answer, Smith can update their armorer's manual, that is still in it. I forgot about it till looking at something else in the manual yesterday. At any rate, found out how they work and what the brass stud was for, as you explained. MGW rep (George) said they did make them for Smith an Wesson, but they were not an MGW design, they were Smith's. He said they were not terribly crazy about the design, but that was what S*W designed. They don't have any more.
They said trying to make an M&P part into one that fit a 3rd generation gun would not work, too thin. I would say I'd try to pester S&W into making something, but I don't think their 3rd generation guns are high on the list for accessories right now.
I may still wind up with something, though.

 

[Alpha426]

Here's the same sight pusher as CQB 45's tool in blue.

 

[jim42]

I have the same pusher,but mine is silver.

 

[Jhp147]

more info on the sight pusher...

Tried my new sight pusher on an old 5904...so old the Trijicon sights are barely visible (installed in 1993 or '94). They would not BUDGE the rear sight. Even a couple of blows with the hammer/brass punch couldn't budge it. Took a close look at it, could tell it was installed slightly tilted forward in the dovetail, somebody at Smith or Novak sort of made it fit with some kind of powerful mystery machine, as there is not a sign of damage to the sight.
A quick look at the instructions that Alpha 426 was kind enough to forward a pic of confirmed what I had suspicions of, per the instructions: This sight pusher is designed primarily as an adjustment tool...It may also be used to install and remove sights however this operating should be undertaken with extreme care....start with a brass punch...etc., etc..
I think the newer guns with the set screw are easier to manage, from what I've done so far. I have one new one and one old one to put sights on, guess I'll start making a better set of vise pads and thinking about doing some measurements on the dovetails to speed the fitting.

 

[CTPete]

JHP147 - Any update??

I have a number of S&W TSW 3rd gen pistols I want to install night sights on and I am trying to find a good sight installation tool. How to you like the one you bought?

 

[tpd223]

I've installed dozens of tritium sights on S&W 9mms, always used a hammer and brass punch.

You need to be aware that there are two springs and detents under the rear sight, they will positively FLY out of the gun, either reaching orbit or the nearest heating vent, if you aren't framiliar with the technique.
It's also rather easy to screw up the springs when reinstalling the rear sight.

 

[Spotteddog]

I use a brass feeler gauge to hold them down during installation-FWIW
So I take it that it hasn't been returned yet?

 

[Jhp147]

ted1, sorry for the delay in response, been off the board. The 3rd Gen sight pusher I bought works great for making adjustments while sighting in. It is much easier than adjusting the sight without a vise when at the range for final sighting in. I think I could use it to install sights, too, depending on the sight's individual size. I bet that on the TSW guns, the manufacturing specs/process are all close enough that it would work easily.
When I install sights, I mark the center of the old sights very carefully (if they are on target already) and try to reinstall to the same point. I "mic" the sights I take off and try to match the dovetail size (both sides) of the old sight on new sights before installation to speed installation. New ones seem to be over sized for obvious reasons. I've also had good luck centering the new sights in the slide using a caliper depth pin. I have made the last couple of the trips to sight in very short by doing the work at home first.

 

[CTPete]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The info has been very helpful.

 

[winddummy]

Sight pusher

I lock the slide in drilling block, invert a drill bit and use my drill press to push them in and out, no damage very little effort and has worked every time, even on the super tight ons.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Well, a search here turned up a thread a few months ago in which there was no sign of a S&W 3rd generation sight pusher anywhere. My research today yielded the same...sorta...the lady at MGW said they made them, but "I'd have to buy them from a distributor." No kidding, I say, except that none of the distributors she listed (that I had tried anyway) list that sight pusher. Friendly S&W parts sales guy said, "Yeah, no problem...part number is...oh wait, we don't have those any more." He then said, "Well, get out the old German silver and knock...". I don't want to knock the heck out of anybody's night sights except my own, and he agrees and gives me a number to call. Guess what, it's MGW.
At any rate, I'm at padded vise, penetrating oil or WD-40 presoak, mask off the slide with tape, brass punch ground down to fit the dovetail stage. Unfortunately, time prevents me just sending the slide in to Smith or Novak.
Thought I'd save somebody a trip and solicit any new input, aside from "I got one but don't wanna sell it" (and I don't blame you) or the PI500 which I am NOT hearing rave reviews on so far.
I hate the sights part.

In the for what it`s worth department, Williams Gunsight Co of Davidson,Mi makes a sight pusher. unless you have your heart set on an MGW just google "Williams sight pusher" and take a look at it. (Runs about $60.00)