Replacing sights.

[FNH5-7]

Had a guy remove my old sights, scuffed them up, I didn't make too big of a deal out of it because he told me before hand he wasn't a gunsmith. Then had a gunsmith install some brand new sights, left marks on the sides. The gun in which these sights were installed is a shooter not a safe queen so I do not mind ware and tear, however, I like to wear it out myself.

Is it really that difficult to replace sights without getting them scuffed or damaged? or is it just a matter of not giving a ****en damn?

[louscamaro91]

Sometimes it hard not to leave marks on the sights.
I had a $2700 new nighthawk show up with small marks from a sight pusher.

[FNH5-7]

Sometimes it hard not to leave marks on the sights.
I had a $2700 new nighthawk show up with small marks from a sight pusher.

Damn, that musta hurt.

My gun was only $1000.

I wonder how manufacturers install sights, they install so many sights on many guns and leave no marks

[JRJCP]

I install so many sights and leave no marks on the sights. I use wood and delrin to install sights. I don't have a sight pusher in my shop and never use metal punch.

[FNH5-7]

I install so many sights and leave no marks on the sights. I use wood and delrin to install sights. I don't have a sight pusher in my shop and never use metal punch.

I'll keep you in mind next time I need sights installed. I thought a qualified gunsmith would mean excellent work, I was wrong.

[louscamaro91]

Whose sight pusher?

I'm not sure how nighthawk installs their sights, I do know my rear sight has a mark on it from being installed.

[PRCABR4Christ]

depends on the type of sights installed...for me, xd sights seem to be a real tight fit and easy to put marks on....while Novak and GI cut 1911's seem easy to not get marks to show up, stake on sights are easy to not mark up too

I've found a piece of leather helps to not mark up sights when tapping them in with a brass punch

Edit: I'm actually replacing the front sight of one of my carry guns in the next couple days, maybe I'll take pictures and do a "how to" on it...

[psango]

+1

I install so many sights and leave no marks on the sights. I use wood and delrin to install sights. I don't have a sight pusher in my shop and never use metal punch.

+1 this is what works for me:

I only use a sight pusher to remove stuck or tight sights or ones that I don't want to keep. Some sights are tapered and only go in or out one direction.

New sights are often larger than the dovetail and need a little metal removed from the sight before installation (you can cold blue where you had to file). Then install with a nylon or wood drift to avoid marking up the sight. You can use a bench block or vise with padded jaws to hold the slide.

If you are staking a front sight you need a metal or wood guard to keep the sight in place and keep from marking it up while you stake it.

[vega]

I have a universal sight pusher I got from one member here and I out a small piece of leather on the sides to prevent marring it.