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Thread: Front Sight Pusher for dovetail sights ?

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    JB. Books's Avatar
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    Question Front Sight Pusher for dovetail sights ?

    Not sure where exactly this question should be posted but thought I try here in this section.

    I am wanting to place a Globe Front sight on one of my Sharp Rifles, which currently have a
    blade sight that's a dovetail into the barrel.

    I was wondering if anyone knows of a Front Sight pusher that might work on removing the
    existing front sight and not marring the barrel or finish?

    I have different size brass punches and hammers but not keen on using them to removing the
    front blade using that method. I might have to in the long run, but wasn't sure if a front sight pusher
    is even made for something like this. The barrel is Octagon and have the grooved dovetail for the
    the existing front sight.

    I've searched all over but haven't found anything for this type of application, did find lots of sight pushers
    for pistols and rear sights but nothing for what I am looking to do.

    Any tips. ideals or suggestions would certainly be appreciated.
    " I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on.
    I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    Just recently I modified my Williams Sight pusher to use on a Kimber 1911 to push out the dovetailed front sight. I modified the tool by making a replacement base for the part that rests on the side of the sight ramp, the part I made was just wide enough to match the body of the tool. This gave enough length to the tool to reach from the middle of the slide to the other side of the slide. I took a piece of 3/16" flat steel covered one side in masking tape, taped a thin piece of wood to one side of the slide, put the steel piece on the other side of the slide (with a cutout for the sight ) snd pushed the sight out.

    This relies on having flat sides on the piece, which you have on an octagonal barrel.

    THis may work for you.

    Steve

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    .

    A proper brass drift should not damage either sight or barrel while removing & replacing a sight dovetailed in a barrel -

    PROVIDED that:

    The barrel is firmly supported (which means a padded vise) at the location of the barrel dovetail (or as close as can be gotten)

    and

    A heavy enough hammer (energy) is used to drive the sight base. (not the body of the sight)

    And, no love taps, please . ................................... (they WILL cause damage).


    .
    Now I lay me down to sleep
    A gun beside me is what I keep
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    The coroner's van is your next ride

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    If you do get a brass mark on the sight from the punch a little dab of bore cleaner used for copper fouling takes the brass mark right off.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
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    I use a push rod from a 350 Chevy and a 380 fired case over the push rod
    Mike
    NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

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    The sight can be pushed out. there are several pushers available. My complaint with pushers is on tight fitted sights it takes more "push" to get them to start moving. The jar vibration of a heavy hammer and punch seems to do better for me. Also a layer of tape on the barrel where the clamp holds helps stop bright spots or marring from happening. The one pusher I used a lot was for M1A and garand front sights to set to zero wind it used an indicator to measure movement. Brownels, midways and sinclairs both them. One made like a barrel vise with simple bushings for different barrel contours would be handy.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy

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    Quote Originally Posted by country gent View Post
    My complaint with pushers is on tight fitted sights it takes more "push" to get them to start moving.
    Sometimes I've been able to get a sight moving by preloading the sight pusher, and then whacking the sight pusher screw. It only has to move a little, before things get a lot easier.
    Last edited by gunwonk; 10-13-2017 at 03:30 PM. Reason: Learning to spell "whack".

  8. #8
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    THE tool to get is the wyoming sight drifter - i have it and i wonder how the heck i've managed messing with dovetailed sights for all these decades without it.

    https://www.facebook.com/Wyoming-Sig...3477341654472/

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Artful's Avatar
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    ???
    http://www.sageoutfitters.com/catalo...5/10336178.htm

    https://www.buffaloarms.com/wyoming-...er-tool-wsd001

    So a two part rod with a spring to stretch - how much energy does this thing have?
    Last edited by Artful; 12-03-2017 at 11:54 PM.
    je suis charlie

    It is better to live one day as a LION than a dozen days as a Sheep.

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    "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Artful View Post
    ??? ... So a two part rod with a spring to stretch - how much energy does this thing have?
    not the right question to ask.

    IT WORKS WONDERS. PERIOD. JUST GET YOU ONE.


  11. #11
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    I've always had better luck with a brass punch.

  12. #12
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    the wsd is a *controlled* brass punch. once tried, you'll realize its value.

  13. #13
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    It looks like it works really well on a loose front sight

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    It looks like it works really well on a loose front sight

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
    HAH, you ain't tried it on the dovetail sight from hell, yet!

  15. #15
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    Make a video where you remove a sight that's been in place for 125 years without supporting the barrel and show this doubtful soul. I'm wanting to believe you, I really am.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  16. #16
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    no problem, can do, got that gun in hand? if so, i'll send ya my wsd to give 'er a go!

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master

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    The good old Williams still works. I made a device to fit in my vise to do those darn Glock sights that are soooo tight.

  18. #18
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    clamp sight drifters work well, for sure, but most are costly unless ya make yer own.

    really, it's all good, whatever works best will just hafta be best.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Dan Cash's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Artful View Post
    ???
    So a two part rod with a spring to stretch - how much energy does this thing have?
    Enough! Another recommendation for the Wyoming Sight Drifter.
    To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the trouble with many shooting experts is not that they're ignorant; its just that they know so much that isn't so.

  20. #20
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    Rfd- I was all set to buy one for $32 from Buffalo Arms until I found out the shipping was $18!
    No sir, I'll pm to rent yours for the next problem sight!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

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