What type of punch to move sights

[rojasj]

Hi folks,

My 9MM Shield is shooting a tad to the left because the rear sight is not centered relative to the front sight (just by a tad). I understand that I should only move the front sight. However, I do not have any brass or aluminum punches. What size punch should I purchase to move the front sight? I may as well get one to fit the rear sight as well will the punch that I use for the front sight also fit the rear sight?

 

[scattershot]

The rear sight s in so tightly that I doubt you can move it with a punch. Fr the front, a brass punch around 1/4" diameter will do. Just be sure to push on the part of the sight that fits in the dovetail, not the blade itself.

 

[smokindog]

Just a suggestion that you try the following in your search engine "moving site on S&W shield".

 

[epj]

You may want to look at this: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/363455-shield-sight-change-picture-heavy.html

In addition to being durn near welded tight, the rear sight doesn't give you much of an area to rest a punch on. If you insist in beating it into submission, I'd suggest maybe a length of square aluminum stock, say 5/16 or 3/8" would be your best bet.

 

[martybee]

The rear sight also has very little latitude for adjustment!

mb

 

[Ballistic147]

I prefer the largest punch you can fit in the dovetail along with a large hammer. A larger punch and hammer will transfer more energy from the hammer to the sight. Clamping the slide in a good solidly mounted vise will help a lot too. I also ground one side of the punch flat (D shaped instead of round) to put more surface area of the punch in contact with the sight.

My Shield was shooing just a tad to the left and the rear sight was not centered just like you describe. I moved the rear sight slightly to the right after marking it's original position. My wife's Shield shot just a tad to the right so for that one I moved the front sight slightly to the right. After reading all the horror stories about how hard these sights are to move I actually found it wasn't that bad. Start with a good, solid, light hit and work your way up until you see it move.

 

[Stratajema]

The OP understands what some of the follow-up posters do not seem to understand. Adjust the front sight not the rear sight, as the manual states.

 

[epj]

I understand that concept perfectly. The OP stated that his rear sight was not centered on the slide and wanted to move it to center. After the rear is centered, any further adjustments can be made with the front sight.

 

[Dave49]

I purchased a universal site removal tool on ebay for just over $30 to remove a front site on my SR22. As a retired journeyman machine repairman I would prefer to use that tool rather than using a punch but to each his own.

 

[DartonJager]

The rear sight s in so tightly that I doubt you can move it with a punch. Fr the front, a brass punch around 1/4" diameter will do. Just be sure to push on the part of the sight that fits in the dovetail, not the blade itself.

Hate to disagree, but I removed my Shields rear sight to perform a Apex upgrade, (11/15/15 date of manufacture) and not only did the rear sight come out with about medium effort, but the allan head set screw came out with minimal effort. I used a improvised brass punch by placing a tight fitting brass rifle case over a steel punch.

Once the rear sight started to move, it came out with moderate force. YRMV.

 

[epj]

I've removed several Shield rear sights. A couple came off without too much effort. Most were extremely tight. Some set screws came out fairly easily, without heat. Most didn't. YMMV.

 

[jradisch]

I understand the OP was discussing moving the front site, but I have tried to move the rear site unsuccessfully. The set screw came out easily, but I have actually beat on the rear site with a brass punch and a hand sledge and it did not budge. The owners manual says not to adjust the rear site, but if one wants to install an Apex kit, the rear site must be removed. I had S&W send me a new rear site since mine is all marred up, and am planning to get a site pusher from epj to replace the rear site.

 

[kcarr65]

I purchased a universal site removal tool on ebay for just over $30 to remove a front site on my SR22. As a retired journeyman machine repairman I would prefer to use that tool rather than using a punch but to each his own.

Do you have a link to this ?