XS Sights on Shield.

[downtown0309]

Hello, new guy here. Just bought me a Shield 9. I'm a big fan of XS Sights and have installed them myself on my G19 and Ruger LCR with no problem. I want them on my Shield but have heard that they are pretty hard to install. Should I just get a gunsmith to do it just to be safe? I don't want to mess up anything and I don't have a vise to hold the slide tight, etc. Thanks.

 

[highaltitude]

You have the exact guns I have (Shield, G19, LCR) and have been thinking of getting XS Sights as well. I've read many reviews of people that don't like them because of accuracy beyond 21 feet. If I may, can I ask you what you like and dislike about them ? I have aging eyes and thought the big dot would be helpful.

Don't have an answer to your original question, but I'm sure many on here will...

 

[downtown0309]

There is nothing I dislike about the XS Sights. All my guns are for self defense carry so I'm not worried about far distance accuracy. Just worried how a few people have said how hard it is to get them on a Shield. I will try to attach a pic looking down the slide of my G19 at the XS sights.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I'm a fan of XS Big Dots for CCW guns, my eyes are starting to go and I've found I can shoot them well with my bifocals. I installed my own on my Shield 40.

The hardest thing was removing the factory rear. I decided I didn't care about saving it (it's a cheap part) so I did the hacksaw removal trick - you saw down through the dovetail until the sight loosens, about 3/4 of the way. It took all of five minutes to do.

You'll also need a large flat mill file to reduce the bottom of the new front and possibly the rear to fit them. A vise is very handy but not essential - I did my last two M&Ps without one (misplaced my padded jaws.)

 

[Brucenterry]

Hello, new guy here. Just bought me a Shield 9. I'm a big fan of XS Sights and have installed them myself on my G19 and Ruger LCR with no problem. I want them on my Shield but have heard that they are pretty hard to install. Should I just get a gunsmith to do it just to be safe? I don't want to mess up anything and I don't have a vise to hold the slide tight, etc. Thanks.

I tried half-heartedly at removing my rear sight, then took it to a gunsmith who proceeded to break his sight pusher!

Most people have had trouble removing the rear on their own, but some have been successful. It's up to you as to how hard you will to beat on your pistol.

I'd paid $20 and have them removed, then install the new ones myself. I did this so I could install the APEX DCAK while the sight was off.

I replaced mine w/ the XS Big Dot "Express" sights. They provide quick target acqusition, but w/ the very short sight radius such as the Shield, it's easier to miss left/right if you don't exactly "dot the eye". I've since removed them.

 

[Brucenterry]

Highaltitude, I have a set of XS Big Dot "express" sights for a Shield that you can try out if you'd like. I didn't care for them. Just let me know.

Bruce

 

[Sharks06lly]

I tried half-heartedly at removing my rear sight, then took it to a gunsmith who proceeded to break his sight pusher!

Most people have had trouble removing the rear on their own, but some have been successful. It's up to you as to how hard you will to beat on your pistol.

I'd paid $20 and have them removed, then install the new ones myself. I did this so I could install the APEX DCAK while the sight was off.

I replaced mine w/ the XS Big Dot "Express" sights. They provide quick target acqusition, but w/ the very short sight radius such as the Shield, it's easier to miss left/right if you don't exactly "dot the eye". I've since removed them.

shield ones are quite hard to get off. shooters world just called me yesterday to let me know they broke my shield trying to put the sights on........ i am now waiting on my new slide to arrive from s&w and for them to put my ameriglos on for free.

 

[emory]

I was able to install a set of Ameriglo night sights on my Shield using a hammer and a flathead screwdriver with some copper shimstock to keep it from marring the surface. It took a few good whacks and a lot of deep breaths, but it was do-able.

 

[epj]

Someone on this forum sells a sight pusher that works on the Shield, especially if you get the Shield push pin upgrade.

 

[RussC]

Downtown

I wear bi focals and my XS Big Dot night sights make all the difference.

I paid a gunsmith $30 and it was worth every dollar.

I have no idea what your time is worth but for me I would have paid double what I paid after watching videos of folks removing the factory rear sight from their Shield. Plus if anything went wrong during the install or if my sights need fine tuning they are covered.

Russ

 

[highaltitude]

Highaltitude, I have a set of XS Big Dot "express" sights for a Shield that you can try out if you'd like. I didn't care for them. Just let me know.

Bruce

Thanks for the offer, Bruce. If I get a set I'll probably get them for my G19 first, since they are fairly easy to install (from what Iv'e read). If I like them, I'll get them for my Shield. Still debating between the XS or Trijicon HD...