[nickc50310]

I just received a call from the gun shop I took my XD to. Apparently they can not get the sights removed!!! WTF!!!!!!!??? They said they put it in the freezer over night and could not get em off. They are listed as an authorized springfield dealer!! They recommend sending it in to springfield- screw that!! The only other gunshop I talked to wanted 40 bux or 80, depending on how hard it is to get off. They also had a two week wait time JUST to look at it! WTF is wrong with my local gun shops?? I may have my friends dad look at it because hes very experienced in guns and can fix anything. Any pointers for him to remove my sights or recomendations of other Des Moines area gun smiths?

PS , I dont care if the factory sights are ruined.

 

[Silentknight]

You might want to try Bob's Shooting supply (i think thats what its called) in Monroe. He's been good about helping me. Theres also a guy in Pella who is very good at custom/repair firearms work. I'l PM you his name and phone number.

 

[nickc50310]

Thanks for the help silentknight!

ok im just gonna try it myself. heres the tips ive gathered so far:

put the slide in the freezer

looking at it from the back push the sights out from right (ejector side) to left

push new sights in from the left

line them up in the groves on the slide

apply a dab of green loctite on the bottom of the new sight if theyre loose

anything else or are any of these tips wrong?

 

[Silentknight]

Doesn't sound like anything I wouldn't try . Good luck

 

[Snake-eater 1]

Some people have cut a long relief groove in the sight with a Dremel cutoff wheel to relieve the pressure on the sight in the dovetail. Probably will work, but you won't be able to reuse the sight if you ever wanted to.

 

[mgtd]

I didn't think I would get my sights off either. I was upgrading to adjustable fiber optic and could not get the front to budge. After freezer treatment, mounted between hardwood blocks, in a 150 lb Rock Island 6 inch jaw vise, mounted to a 300 pound table, I ruined 4 punches, with a 2 pound sledge, and moved the table before I got the front sight to move. The rear wasn't quite as bad. Installation of the replacements was easy. I ruined the factory sight, but did no damage to the slide, not even a mar. Quality short shank punches are a necessity. long punches flex, bend and jump. Persistance, with care should be excerised.

 

[Old School]

I know in some cases the front sight needs to be milled out because it is that tough to move.

 

[TeamXD]

keep us in touch nickc50310. let us know how it turns out.

 

[Pittwm]

I used my SIG tool on it but the rear have to be narrowed a bit for it to fit in th carrage. It still tookme awhile and I added an open end wrench tocrank on it for it to budge.

 

[Silentknight]

How'd it go Nick?

 

[Old School]

Man, how I love Monty Python's Holy Grail.

 

[nickc50310]

hehe, thanks for all the pointers guys! what kind of jokers work at the gunshops around here?? they all bash the other gunshops, have excessive prices and wait times, and for what?? to tell me they cant change my sight only for me to go to my friends house and have it done in about 20 minutes?? cmon! ok, the old sights came out no problem, didnt even break the front sight. no damage to the slide. i did mangle the front firesight a little but it is aligned correctly and seems to be shooting straight! woohoo! now i just gotta get used to a new sight. thanks again guys!

 

[ttheobald]

Have you tried a sight press? One of the smiths over in sales & marketing is bringing his in next week to help me get my irons off to swap in some Firesights.

T

 

[Olgord]

I realize this is a late post but an FYI for ya. The smithy at the range in Polk City replaced mine for me while I waited. Around $30.00 I think.

Olgord

 

[nickc50310]

Ill keep that in mind- thank you!

 

[Silentknight]

I realize this is a late post but an FYI for ya. The smithy at the range in Polk City replaced mine for me while I waited. Around $30.00 I think.

Olgord

Is Butch's range as good as it used to be? I used to go there when i lived in Ankeny