S&W 645 Trouble Need Help

[Mountie 49]

I have had a Smith and Wesson 645 for about 21 years but I just recently started shooting it a lot. I purchased an adjustable rear sight for it and went to install it today. Trouble is I can't get the old sight off. It's shooting extremely low and left and I've totally mangled the old sight so unless I can get what remains of the old sight off it's not much better than a paper weight. (Did they weld these on or what?) If there's a trick to this please let me know. Thanks

 

[LKGMADMAX]

There is a special tool that's normally used called a sight pusher, a rather expensive tool for a one time use some where around 100.00. Another option would be to use a wooden dowel and a punch. The dowel will reduce the chance of damage. Good luck!

 

[18DAI]

Make sure you push left to right with that punch. The sights slide off to the right side. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[Bruce51]

When I needed to salvage a sight from a 745 slide I was also having difficulty.

I placed the slide in a large vice with pine blocks. After trying brass rods and punches without success I got a bigger hammer and a bigger piece of brass.

With a bar of brass 3/4" X 1" X 1/4" X 6" and a really big hammer the sight finally came loose after some really heavy blows.

I was not worried about the slide but I hope this gives you an idea about how hard this can be to do without a sight pusher.

BTW the slide was not marred but you may want to tape the slide as well as used soft wood blocks.

BLM

 

[losingle]

All good ideas, if that don't work use a mapp torch, will melt epoxy or solder, and loosen metal. Insert paste on dowel to protect barrel.

 

[Mountie 49]

Thanks

I managed to get the old sight off. A little dramatically. I knew I wouldn't be using it again so I drilled it and then filled it and finally tapped it out.

The trouble then came with putting the new one in. I filled it down a little but was only able to get it in about 2/3 the way before it was stuck beyond all hope. I finally borrowed a metal punch and a large hammer from my neighbour and after a lot of pounding got it in. I then sanded the marks and used metal polish and a buffing wheel on a dremel type tool. After I get it sighted in I'm going to get some touch up bluing from a gunsmith supply store and touch it up.

I'm definitely going to be buying a sight pusher though as I can see myself needing one in the future.

Thanks for that bit of information BTW. It will definitely help in the future.