Adjusting Trijicon sights

[Raptor1956]

I have a new Tactical in 357 sig that came with the factory Trigicon sights and if I need to adjust the sights I'd like to know how to do it. I'm not saying I need to as yet but if I do...

It appears that the sights are mounted using an interference fit and not bonded with any adhesive -- is that right. If so I'd guess they hated the slide and cooled the sights before pressing them on and then when the temps equalized they were locked in place. If this is so then do you heat the slide and cool the sights in order to move them?


Brian

[Bill in San Jose]

If you're not sure in the end, you can ship he slide back to SA and have them adjust them for you, they told me for free, shipping is about $9 each way. Good if you don't want to start banging on the Trijicon sights. I just got the XS big dots, and the rear sight has two tiny allen screws you loosen from the top.

[Raptor1956]

I'll have to look more closely at it when I get back to SLC. I only had it one day before travelling to Richmond so I spent most of the limited time with it either shooting (150 rounds) or cleaning so I guess I'll have to concentrate on the sights when I get back.

I actually shot pretty good within about 5 yards but beyond 15 yards I had a number of misses not only of the target but the paper as well. Of course it doesn't help that my 51 year old eyes aren't what they used to be and I'll have to work out the best way to use my limited vission. At close range I can focus on the front site and still see the target well enough but at the longer ranges I can see the front sight but the target is, well, a blur.

The reason I asked about adjusting the sights is that the grouping does appear a bit left and low.


Brian

[Cumminalong]

The Trijicon's are just press fit. You can do 1 of 3 things.

1 - Use a punch and hammer to move them. They are MUCH easier to move than the stock steel sights on the XD's and you are NOT going to damage the slide.........TRUST ME, that thing is solid.

2 - Buy a universal sight press and you can mess with them all you want. I have the B&J Machine tool from Midway (approx $130). Word of caution, it WILL NOT remove the stock steel sights on an XD, even in a bench vise. All other sights are okay though.

3 - Bring it to any local gunsmith. Bring him a target with the distance on it and he should be able to adjust them a bit.

Or you could send it off the Springfield, but that would, personally, be my last choice, simply due to turn around time and possibility that it may or may not get it to where you want, then the process starts again.

I found it cheaper with all the guns and different sights I have, just buy the sight press and good set of brass and steel punches and do your own work.

The ONLY real problem I ever have is the stock steel REAR sight. I now simply cut the sight off with a Dremel w/ a cutoff wheel. Cut it from side to side, being careful not to go all the way to the slide, and get it to a point where you can squeeze it with a pair of pliers and the sight will come out. It's MUCH less damaging than beating that thing off with a hammer. Believe me, the stock sights are a BA%^&RD!

[rgeliske]

The type of sights you are describing are windage adjustable, which means you can move them left or right using one of two methods:

1.) Sight tool or sight press, these run about $150 and look like a "C" clamp with a screw and anvil that basically press the sights in or out. If you have a number of guns this is a worth while investment but for one gun they are pretty expensive.

2.) Hammer and punch is the most common method of moving the sights but you need to be aware that with tritium sights you can break the glass vials is you are not careful. I have found that using a piece of 1/4" steel square stock that you can get at most hardware stores works pretty well for this. Cut off a piece about 3" long and bevel the edges slightly to remove any burrs that may scratch the slide.

How to Adjust

The same method is used if you use a sight tool or a hammer and punch but I'll explain using the hammer and punch. When adjusting sights you always adjust the rear sight and leave the front sight in the center of the slide. First you must find out where the gun is shooting without any of your influence, 15 yards is a good distance to use for sighting in. You should use a firm bench rest that allows you to steady the gun with the sight at eye level. This is important you do not want to be looking down or up through the sight. Assuming you are using 3 dot sights, align the 3 dots horizontally with the front sight centered within the opening of the rear sight. Place the front dot slightly below the center of the target, this will generally mean the top of the blade of the front sight will bisect the center of the targets bullseye.

When you have everything lined up, place the pad of your fore finger on the trigger, this too is critical do not use the first joint use the pad of your finger. Make sure you have a good grip on the gun, don't chock it just make sure you have control of the gun. Take the pre-travel out of the trigger until you feel the sear engage, slowly squeeze the trigger back until the gun fires. Wthout changing you point of aim repeat this until you have fired 5 shots. You should now have 5 holes in the target in the same general area, this is called a "group". Drawing a line around the group determine generally the center of the group. Often times you will have one round that is not near the others, this is called a "flier" and should not be include in the group. Repeat the process 4 or 5 times if possible have someone else try it. You should develop a general idea of where the gun is shooting. Do not worry about vertical measurements at this time just note that at ranges under 25 yards it is not unusual for the group to be low of center.

If you groups appear to be significantly left or right you may either compensate by adjusting your aim point in the opposite direction or you can adjust the rear sight. If you determine you want to adjust the sights you must move the rear sight in the direction you want the point of impact to go. If the gun is shooting to the left you want the point of impact to move to the right so you will need to move the rear sight to the right.

Here is where the hammer and punch come in. Make sure the gun is unloaded before you do anything else. Place the gun flat on a firm surface that will not damage the slide, wood works good for this. Using the 3" piece of square stock "punch" place it flat against the bottom of the dovetail and the base of the rear sight. Sharply strike the punch moving the sight in the direction you need to correct the point of impact. XD sights are tight so this may take more than one hit to start the sight moving. Warning: Do Not Strike higher in the area of the tritium tubes. If you look down at the sight you will notice 2 reference lines in the slide dovetail. When you see the sight has moved slightly stop and shoot 5 more rounds you should notice the group has moved closer to the center of the target. Repeat this process until the group is aligned over the center of the target. Any marks that may show after moving the sight can be covered using a black permanent marker or some cold bluing.

Note: With factory sights there is no vertical adjustment because the are so many variables involved like bullet weight, type, and powder. You can purchase adjustable sights that allow adjustment using screws which are much easier but they are often bulkier and not generally used in carry guns.

I hope this answers your question

[Raptor1956]

Man rgeliske that was an excellent, no I mean EXCELLENT post!

In fact I think this should be a sticky.

Thanks big time,,


Brian

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by Raptor1956

Man rgeliske that was an excellent, no I mean EXCELLENT post!

In fact I think this should be a sticky.

Thanks big time,,


Brian

Thank you, but has it worked for you yet?

[Liquid Rhino]

+1 for rgeliske's awesome post! Extremely detailed & informative, yet easy to follow.

[figment]

I would never use a punch (again) on any night sight.

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by figment

I would never use a punch (again) on any night sight.

I don't blame you though I have never broken a night sight tube it can easily happen if you're not careful.