Sight Pushers

Guns.com Vault
Gather App
Onomea

Onomea

Gold Supporter
Joined
May 16, 2005
Messages
17,399
Reaction score
43,443
City & State/Province
Oregon
I have no gunsmithing skills. I'm thinking about a sight pusher because for third time now I am thinking to change sights on a handgun, this time the front sight on a Sig P226.

The previous two times, once for removal of both sights and the other for installation of new front and rear, I've used gunsmiths.

I noticed one can buy sight pushers pretty inexpensively, some for under $50 bucks. I wonder how easy these are for a novice to properly use?

I also wonder when installing a front sight, how does one know when it is in the correct position other than by eyeballing it?

(I have done some research to assure that the height of my new front sight is a proper match dor the factory installed rear sight.)

Am I better off taking my new front sight to a pro and asking him to install it?

I'd appreciate your advice.
 
I use a real avid sight pusher & it works well.

To get a sight pusher or to go to a gunsmith and have him to it depends on how frequently you anticipate having to change sights. I’ve done so several times, so it’s paid for itself over time.

If you are only doing it once, I’d use a gunsmith
 
Thank you, Tanner.

What I want to know is how easy is it for an amateur with a sight pusher to do a good job.
 
When I first got my BG2 I took it to the range armorer. He said they do not use sight pushers because too often the pushers will damage the slide or the sight. They only use a hammer and punch.

Based on the comments in this forum on drifting or removing sights, I did not buy a sight pusher. Amazon ratings on many are not very good.

I bought a steel punch at Ace Hardware for $6 and ground the tip down to fit my front sight on my BG2 and with a little gunsmithing hammer I was able to drift it 3 times to get it to correct POA/POI. I could not even move the rear sight.

Rather than me risking damaging the slide or a sight, I will let the armorer/gunsmith do it.:)
 
As a "practicing gunsmith" for the last 20 years, I have bought a bunch of sight pushers, I have a drawer full of them that don't exactly work. There is no such thing as a "generic fits all" sight pusher except a big ass hammer and properly configured punch and stout bench vise with leather padded jaws. The best sight pusher is the one that is dedicated to the model, that engages the slide in the frame rail groove. Holding on to the slide while the "press" is pushing on the sight is difficult. Most slides are contoured to give a pleasing aesthetic, the slide tends to roll like an alligator when the pressure is applied to the sight.
 
Some some more input:

1. Absolutely do not go the cheap route. They will break, shift, or bind

2. If you acquire more than 1 handgun and start shooting high volumes, sight pushers are worth the cost.
Tritium night sights burn out eventually, your choice in sights change, and sometimes the coloring doesn't suit your fancy anymore.

3. As per the Dawson video...yeap i can be done without one, takes a little more skill to learn how to "not" booger up the sights or gun.
 
Good luck if you’re trying to move a S&W sight…especially on the new bodyguard! Also, if you get the “cheap” pusher for $50 or less you will quickly understand why they are “cheap”…they don’t work well and ultimately damage your sight and/or your firearm!
 
I am in the "don't go cheap" camp. Mine is from somebody called P I Inc, Model P500. I don't know how long I have had it or what I paid for it. It is pretty substantial and works well. Just used it today as a matter of fact to remove the factory front sight on one of my Springfield EMPs.
 
My cheepie has worked several times, but they're not for the faint of heart! It's easy to screw up.
bgbmagic said:
Also, if you get the "cheap" pusher for $50 or less you will quickly understand why they are "cheap"…they don't work well and ultimately damage your sight and/or your firearm!
Click to expand...
robertrwalsh said:
I am in the "don't go cheap" camp.
Click to expand...

CZ 75 Compact Upgrades 419.webp
 
Onomea said:
I have no gunsmithing skills. I'm thinking about a sight pusher because for third time now I am thinking to change sights on a handgun, this time the front sight on a Sig P226.

The previous two times, once for removal of both sights and the other for installation of new front and rear, I've used gunsmiths.

I noticed one can buy sight pushers pretty inexpensively, some for under $50 bucks. I wonder how easy these are for a novice to properly use?

I also wonder when installing a front sight, how does one know when it is in the correct position other than by eyeballing it?

(I have done some research to assure that the height of my new front sight is a proper match dor the factory installed rear sight.)

Am I better off taking my new front sight to a pro and asking him to install it?

I'd appreciate your advice.
Click to expand...
Getting a sight pusher that was made specifically for your particular model and make handgun is a must if do not want to take the risk of doing a lot of damage to your gun but even that does not guarantee success and they can run up to $300. I sent my HK P30s back to HK and they did a professional job and did not marr the gun.

Having said all that I do have a low budget universal sight pusher that I used on a Glock and on a Star Starlight 9mm with success but it was touch and go and I never would have used it on an expensive handgun.
 
I appreciate all the advice here. I think given the risks of the cheaper units and my lack of skill and/or experience, I am gonna look for a local smith to do the job.
 
Has anyone tried the new Wyoming sight pusher reviewed in a recent NRA Rifleman magazine?
 
MGW Sight Pro, worth every penny. Been using it for years and haven't run into a sight it couldn't push out or install, and hasn't marked up or damaged a single slide. Keep in mind, you do need to buy the appropriate slide shoes for your model, between $12 and $15 ea.
 
I have the Wyoming sight pusher. I got the standard model. It is good for sights that are not "welded" in. I have a couple rifles and handguns that this sight will gently drift to the side if I need an adjustment. My S&W BG2 or Shield......it will not move these.

I own a MGW Range Master. Got it on a holiday sale so it was a fairly good price. This is made in the USA and is a precision tool made of quality steel. If you set it up correctly it will work and won't bend, flex, mar, destroy etc.... Those traits belong to cheaply made sight pushers.

There are 2 reasons EVERYONE does not own a MGW. #1 Costs a Bunch of dollars......it is USA made and is a chunk of quality steel. #2 You have to spend about $15 for a "shoe" for each gun or family of guns. The shoe fits individual sights so it is not universal. The is one of the reasons it works so well. Also know the Range Master model does not do all semi-autos. If interested their website explains why. They have a model of sight pusher that will fit all slides. It cost even more.
 
AF FAL said:
MGW Sight Pro, worth every penny.
Click to expand...
Some musings on the MGW.

I have been a MGW fanboy since they first mfg. firearm specific sight pushers, which then evolved to the universal PRO with specific slide "shoes" for various models.

I was surprised that a PRO did not have calibration markings on the pusher to gauge the extent of sight movement so I milled some reference markings; the top delrin cylinder was too large to accommodate "long" profile sights e.g. TSX so I had to modify it for clearance; also the top 1/2 of the pusher is heavy and would crash onto the top of the slide during assembly, so I installed some "safety" springs to prevent that issue, MGW eventually added some springs to their latest offerings.

The only sights I have not been able to use it for are the S&W Shield (discussed on this forum elsewhere).

Using a gage pin in the rear sight notch has been found useful for precision centering of the sight.

Finally, noting the TPI of the threaded axle is pretty handy information as for most 4-5" slide sight systems every 0.007" adjustment translates to ~1" of impact (windage / vertical) difference @ 25 yards;
so, every 1/6 of a handle rotation = 0.007", not mentioned in MGW instructions.

Not an inexpensive journey, however I now pretty much have a tool to accommodate 98% of sight tasks.

IMG_2682 copy.webpIMG_4626 copy.webpIMG_1821 copy.webpIMG_1071MGW Sight Pro Springs Added 05.28.25 copy.webpIMG_5154WILSON COMBAT REAR SIGHT DIMENSIONS 01.31.25 copy 2.webpIMG_5188WILSON COMBAT REAR SIGHT DIMENSIONS 01.31.25 copy 2.webp
 
Yup, that part is definitely stout, but note the lower rods that retains the slide in place from both sides have delrin tips that are a weak point. I have to be very mindful to position them just so to keep the slide from moving around.
SASFixer said:
Looks pretty stout, I like the guide rod on the pusher.
Click to expand...
 
Onomea said:
I have no gunsmithing skills. I'm thinking about a sight pusher because for third time now I am thinking to change sights on a handgun, this time the front sight on a Sig P226.

The previous two times, once for removal of both sights and the other for installation of new front and rear, I've used gunsmiths.

I noticed one can buy sight pushers pretty inexpensively, some for under $50 bucks. I wonder how easy these are for a novice to properly use?

I also wonder when installing a front sight, how does one know when it is in the correct position other than by eyeballing it?

(I have done some research to assure that the height of my new front sight is a proper match dor the factory installed rear sight.)

Am I better off taking my new front sight to a pro and asking him to install it?

I'd appreciate your advice.
Click to expand...
I would agree with what others have said about the cheap sight pushers...they are a waste of money. Forget the cheap 50 dollar China made junk and get a quality tool...pay the price and buy once-cry once. I recently purchased the Lyman sight pusher which is American made and a solid piece of kit. Have used it twice so far and on a Springfield XDS which are known to be very difficult to move the sights. The Lyman tool worked great!
 
My new front sight from Dawson Precision arrived yesterday. It comes with a little drift punch, made of aluminum, for installation, and a warning:

"Check BEFORE Fitting. Altered Sights May NOT be Returned. Use of Sight Press for Installation VOIDS warranty."

Meanwhile, I've located a local gun store which while not offering full smithing services, says they can install a front sight for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Bodyguard 2.0 Sights
Replies
3
Views
273
Eplincoln
E
J
Front Sight Replacement for S&W 1911 Pro Series 9MM
Replies
2
Views
98
JohnnyHop1953
J
cgt4570
What makes the Performance Center version of the Shield Plus special?
Replies
4
Views
219
M1A4ME
M1A4ME
J
915 newbie sight question
Replies
0
Views
89
JustBob1
J
C
FYI! Bodyguard 2.0 Rear Night Sight
Replies
1
Views
212
Beju
B

Latest posts

Back
Top