AO Sight Installation gone bad - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

st61980 · 02-07-2005, 03:52 PM

Hey all,

Just wanted to share with you guys my sad story. I recieved my big dot ao sight today and I tried to install them on my Sub XD 9mm. The rear sight install went smooth, but the front I couldn't say the same. I was almost done, just banging the last few millimeters in until the front post broke.

IT ****ING BROKE.

So I banged out just the base of the front sight and crazy glued the front back on in desperation.

What do you guys think? Will this front sight stay on? Or will it fly off as soon as I start shooting?

Think the company will send me a replacement? Maybe I can make'em feel sorry for me?

Alright...you guys are my support system, thank you all for listening.

atkamano · 02-07-2005, 04:03 PM

get it done right....i would hate to think that there is glue on my gun.

also. if the sights are off, u will not hit your target. period.

get new sights installed by a professional.

my .02

st61980 · 02-07-2005, 04:09 PM

I hear ya, but the sights aren't off .. the lines are cut into the slide so its easy to line it up.

I just hate that I wasted 60 bucks.

XDSC · 02-07-2005, 04:40 PM

Mine were hard as hell to put on also! I'd have to say contact the manufacturer and maybe they'll sell you just the front sight. Then, have someone install it for you. Sorry.

Don · 02-07-2005, 05:15 PM

I vote it will fly off.
Install with the the dovetail, not the blade.

st61980 · 02-07-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDSC

Mine were hard as hell to put on also! I'd have to say contact the manufacturer and maybe they'll sell you just the front sight. Then, have someone install it for you. Sorry.

Good idea, maybe they'll show some sympathy. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

5Shot · 02-28-2006, 07:53 PM

Did you get a front sight?

Mac's · 03-01-2006, 06:00 AM

There are a few "tricks" that can make sight installation a lot easier. First, sight dovetails are held in place with an "interference fit" meaning the site is bigger than the groove. Some are bigger than others and will require a small amount of fitting. Try pushing a new site into the groove by finger. It should start and go partway in..no more than 1/4. If it's too tight, loosen it up slightly by sliding the site bottom on a piece of wet/dry sandpaper placed on a hard FLAT block. It only takes a little. Check it often since it's much easier to remove a little more than it is to put it back!
Second, use a dry lube but only if it's pretty tight. (Locktite if it's snug)
Third, warm the slide but leave the sight cold.
Fourth, front sights are usually broken off because the tool slipped off of the base edge and whacked the post. I use a very large brass drift pin that I grind the tip on to match the job.
Finally, the slide needs to be very steady. Clamp it in a vise. (Padded jaws)
For tough jobs, I use my massive slide clamp/sight press.

Of course, the easiest way to swap your sights is to send it to us to have our Tuff-Gun finish applied to the slide. We'll swap the sites while we have it here.

Keep yer powder dry, Mac.
Tuff-Gun Finishes. The Name Says It All.
Mac's Shootin' Irons
http://www.shootiniron.com[/url]

packing_in_la · 03-02-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st61980

Hey all,

Just wanted to share with you guys my sad story. I recieved my big dot ao sight today and I tried to install them on my Sub XD 9mm. The rear sight install went smooth, but the front I couldn't say the same. I was almost done, just banging the last few millimeters in until the front post broke.

IT ****ING BROKE.

So I banged out just the base of the front sight and crazy glued the front back on in desperation.

What do you guys think? Will this front sight stay on? Or will it fly off as soon as I start shooting?

Think the company will send me a replacement? Maybe I can make'em feel sorry for me?

Alright...you guys are my support system, thank you all for listening.

Duct tape?

retired · 03-03-2006, 02:45 AM

No advice for you. I just wanted to say thanks to Mac for monitoring this forum. I have heard nice things said about your company from some of the members here before and it's always good to get some advice from the experts.

Good luck on your sight problem st61980.

02-07-2005, 03:52 PM	#1
st61980 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 11	AO Sight Installation gone bad Hey all, Just wanted to share with you guys my sad story. I recieved my big dot ao sight today and I tried to install them on my Sub XD 9mm. The rear sight install went smooth, but the front I couldn't say the same. I was almost done, just banging the last few millimeters in until the front post broke. IT ****ING BROKE. So I banged out just the base of the front sight and crazy glued the front back on in desperation. What do you guys think? Will this front sight stay on? Or will it fly off as soon as I start shooting? Think the company will send me a replacement? Maybe I can make'em feel sorry for me? Alright...you guys are my support system, thank you all for listening.

02-07-2005, 05:15 PM	#5
Don XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Pullman, WA Posts: 4,227	I vote it will fly off. Install with the the dovetail, not the blade. __________________ Don geek with guns Why don\'t you all f-f-f-fade away.... FAQ - Don\'s Guide Rod

02-28-2006, 07:53 PM	#7
5Shot XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 16	Did you get a front sight? __________________ 5 Shot Leather Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

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02-07-2005, 04:03 PM	#2
atkamano XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 87	get it done right....i would hate to think that there is glue on my gun. also. if the sights are off, u will not hit your target. period. get new sights installed by a professional. my .02

02-07-2005, 04:09 PM	#3
st61980 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 11	I hear ya, but the sights aren't off .. the lines are cut into the slide so its easy to line it up. I just hate that I wasted 60 bucks.

02-07-2005, 04:40 PM	#4
XDSC XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Graham, NC Posts: 57	Mine were hard as hell to put on also! I'd have to say contact the manufacturer and maybe they'll sell you just the front sight. Then, have someone install it for you. Sorry.

03-01-2006, 06:00 AM	#8
Mac's XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 16	There are a few "tricks" that can make sight installation a lot easier. First, sight dovetails are held in place with an "interference fit" meaning the site is bigger than the groove. Some are bigger than others and will require a small amount of fitting. Try pushing a new site into the groove by finger. It should start and go partway in..no more than 1/4. If it's too tight, loosen it up slightly by sliding the site bottom on a piece of wet/dry sandpaper placed on a hard FLAT block. It only takes a little. Check it often since it's much easier to remove a little more than it is to put it back! Second, use a dry lube but only if it's pretty tight. (Locktite if it's snug) Third, warm the slide but leave the sight cold. Fourth, front sights are usually broken off because the tool slipped off of the base edge and whacked the post. I use a very large brass drift pin that I grind the tip on to match the job. Finally, the slide needs to be very steady. Clamp it in a vise. (Padded jaws) For tough jobs, I use my massive slide clamp/sight press. Of course, the easiest way to swap your sights is to send it to us to have our Tuff-Gun finish applied to the slide. We'll swap the sites while we have it here. Keep yer powder dry, Mac. Tuff-Gun Finishes. The Name Says It All. Mac's Shootin' Irons http://www.shootiniron.com[/url]

03-03-2006, 02:45 AM	#10
retired XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S. Calif. Posts: 5,395	No advice for you. I just wanted to say thanks to Mac for monitoring this forum. I have heard nice things said about your company from some of the members here before and it's always good to get some advice from the experts. Good luck on your sight problem st61980.