Adjusting XD-9 Rear Sights - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

FBauer1937 · 02-10-2005, 08:35 AM

HELP!
How does one get the XD-9 sights to move? I have tried brass punches and a vise, I even have a Universal sight pusher but because of the the unusual shape of the XD slide it will not lock into the jig. Do I just need a bigger hammer and more muscles or should I give up and pay a Gunsmith for a 2 minute job? It needs about 1/16" o the left. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Are all XD sights installed this tight?

Fred

C.H.Luke · 02-10-2005, 08:54 AM

"Are all XD sights installed this tight?"

Seems to be so.........

It's good that you have a bench vise, would buy a length of machinable quality brass rod {it's harder} from a local metalworking supply store as large or a bit larger than the dovetail and file it down on all 4 sides, including the angle to match the sights sides, so you can direct as straight a blow as possible with a heavy 1 lb. hand-sledge hammer.

Also use oil like Kroil or something thin enough to get between the sight and slide dovetail.
Frankly would beat the thing out of slide completely and either replace it with aftermarket and fit it with a file so it will move more easily the next time.

potatoho · 02-10-2005, 10:19 AM

I don't use a vice or anything. I lay the slide on the carpeted floor and make repeated medium-strength taps with a brass punch and small brass hammer. Maybe every 5-8 taps I take a measure with calipers. It moves.

rotnguns · 02-10-2005, 08:27 PM

I used my Universal sight pusher to move the rear sight on my bitone xd-9 service. I torqued the knob as much as I could, then tapped it with a hammer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBauer1937

HELP!
How does one get the XD-9 sights to move? I have tried brass punches and a vise, I even have a Universal sight pusher but because of the the unusual shape of the XD slide it will not lock into the jig. Do I just need a bigger hammer and more muscles or should I give up and pay a Gunsmith for a 2 minute job? It needs about 1/16" o the left. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Are all XD sights installed this tight?

Fred

paper tiger · 02-10-2005, 09:58 PM

Man, I used a small wood dowel and 3# mini sledge and STILL couldn't get the sucker to move.

Maybe I'll try using my bench vise or something.

**hobocircus** · 02-10-2005, 10:31 PM

This is how my rear sight came off just the other day.

http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=17634

My sight could be pushed both right and left just using my fingers. It looks like the sight is best removed by tapping out from the right side and out to the left. I did notice that there was some lube in the dovetail on the slide and it probably is from a bit too much oil used to wipe down the finish. (Not sure how this happened though, I don't usually use that much oil to protect my finish).
You might try soaking your rear sight overnight with some penetrating oil and then some light taps. Make sure the dovetail slot is all cleaned out after you get the sight removed. Canned gun scrubber should do the trick. Good luck with it.

panther308 · 02-11-2005, 02:48 AM

Ther are several threads on this topic, it seems the croats who SA imports from have decided to have the sights in extremely tight you can strip the slide, put it in the freezer for several hours then lock it in a vice and use a punch to knock it where you need to, remember these are combat sights and must be able to hold up under the worst possible conditions.
Or you could do what I did, let the crappy finish wear off and slide to to rust send it back to SA under warranty and have them put Armory-Kote on it and leave the sights out (wonderful refinish job) for $8 s/h and when you get it back put a set of replacement sights on from (Old School or Ajames)

02-10-2005, 08:35 AM	#1
FBauer1937 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Elgin. IL Posts: 9	Adjusting XD-9 Rear Sights HELP! How does one get the XD-9 sights to move? I have tried brass punches and a vise, I even have a Universal sight pusher but because of the the unusual shape of the XD slide it will not lock into the jig. Do I just need a bigger hammer and more muscles or should I give up and pay a Gunsmith for a 2 minute job? It needs about 1/16" o the left. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Are all XD sights installed this tight? Fred

02-10-2005, 08:54 AM	#2
C.H.Luke XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 176	"Are all XD sights installed this tight?" Seems to be so......... It's good that you have a bench vise, would buy a length of machinable quality brass rod {it's harder} from a local metalworking supply store as large or a bit larger than the dovetail and file it down on all 4 sides, including the angle to match the sights sides, so you can direct as straight a blow as possible with a heavy 1 lb. hand-sledge hammer. Also use oil like Kroil or something thin enough to get between the sight and slide dovetail. Frankly would beat the thing out of slide completely and either replace it with aftermarket and fit it with a file so it will move more easily the next time. __________________ \"Never stop practicing the fundamentals of marksmanship during training. Sight alignment, sight picture & trigger control will determine whether you hit or miss in the end.\" Chuck Taylor

02-10-2005, 10:31 PM	#6
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,327	This is how my rear sight came off just the other day. http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=17634 My sight could be pushed both right and left just using my fingers. It looks like the sight is best removed by tapping out from the right side and out to the left. I did notice that there was some lube in the dovetail on the slide and it probably is from a bit too much oil used to wipe down the finish. (Not sure how this happened though, I don't usually use that much oil to protect my finish). You might try soaking your rear sight overnight with some penetrating oil and then some light taps. Make sure the dovetail slot is all cleaned out after you get the sight removed. Canned gun scrubber should do the trick. Good luck with it. __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

02-11-2005, 02:48 AM	#7
panther308 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 465	Ther are several threads on this topic, it seems the croats who SA imports from have decided to have the sights in extremely tight you can strip the slide, put it in the freezer for several hours then lock it in a vice and use a punch to knock it where you need to, remember these are combat sights and must be able to hold up under the worst possible conditions. Or you could do what I did, let the crappy finish wear off and slide to to rust send it back to SA under warranty and have them put Armory-Kote on it and leave the sights out (wonderful refinish job) for $8 s/h and when you get it back put a set of replacement sights on from (Old School or Ajames) __________________ panther308 Always Remember: A firearm is only an instrument. It contains no evil, no conscience, and no ability. It is strictly the intent, competence, and character of its user that decide the outcome of any and all actions taken with it.

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02-10-2005, 10:19 AM	#3
potatoho XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 84	I don't use a vice or anything. I lay the slide on the carpeted floor and make repeated medium-strength taps with a brass punch and small brass hammer. Maybe every 5-8 taps I take a measure with calipers. It moves.

02-10-2005, 09:58 PM	#5
paper tiger XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 109	Man, I used a small wood dowel and 3# mini sledge and STILL couldn't get the sucker to move. Maybe I'll try using my bench vise or something.