Got a factory set of night sights via karma here, but haven't installed a set before.

Is a sight pusher necessary? Or is it doable with other tools?

I assume, it's as simple as drift them out the proper direction & just drift the new ones in the opposite?

Anyone in N Houston have a P320 sight pusher to lend?

I've tapped out two P320 front sights. I buggered up one of the slides. If you take your time and have the right punch, it can be done.

I wouldn't use a punch or drift. Even the Dawson sights, which come with aluminum drifts, I use a pusher. You have a lot more control and there's a lot less stress, and chance of slippage, if you use a pusher. Remove to the left, install to the right. Put a drop of low strength (blue) locktite under each sight.

If you push and the sight doesn't go, very light dressing with a jewlers file may be in order, depending on the sight you're installing.

Whether you use a pusher or punch, watch the video to see how to prep the sights.
Halfway with hand pressure...if you cheat on that you may have troubles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do8sHBDfIGk

If you are dealing with SIG sights (or similar), you can push them on/off.
If you have a problem, it will be with the front sight.

I have a MGW Pro sight pusher, a very good piece of kit.
I prepped and tried to push on a Dawson P-series fiber optic front and almost wrecked it.
That type of "fragile" sight is best installed with a properly sized brass punch.

I just put a set of x-ray sights on my 320. Used a sight-tool.com pusher. The tool can be had on Amazon for about $80. Go slow and follow the advice above and it should be no sweat.

I would definitely use a sight pusher. I'm on vacation in OK currently but would be happy to lend you mine when I get back home next week. Just let me know if you need it and I can send it sometime next week.

The Dawsons, I'll only use a pusher. I've found that the front can be very tight. Judicious use of a file is sometimes warranted.

Be especially careful hammering on anything with a tritium vial.

I will second on using a file. This helps to ease the installation quite a bit. File the sight a little, try the fit, rinse and repeat.
A little with the file can go a long way.

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
I would definitely use a sight pusher. I'm on vacation in OK currently but would be happy to lend you mine when I get back home next week. Just let me know if you need it and I can send it sometime next week.

Thanks.
I'll take you up on that, if it's not a bother.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Thanks.
I'll take you up on that, if it's not a bother.

Not a problem at all. I'll hit you up via email after my boys and I get home. Looks like we'll be leaving this 100 degrees craziness Friday and arriving home Saturday or Sunday.

P250UA5, check your email.

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
P250UA5, check your email.

Replied

One more thing.
If you don't want metal-on-metal contact between your pusher and the sight, put a small piece of card stock (business card) between the pusher and the sight.
Works.

quote:

Originally posted by DirectDrive:
One more thing.
If you don't want metal-on-metal contact between your pusher and the sight, put a small piece of card stock (business card) between the pusher and the sight.
Works.

Yep, its good advice DD. I use cardboard from a candy box when I use my pusher.

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
Yep, its good advice DD. I use cardboard from a candy box when I use my pusher.

Another option is a small piece of leather. I also use a folded piece of leather when putting a slide in my vise, which is something I picked up while watching Don Williams working in his shop (he was making a last minute change to a gun I was picking up). I now use leather for protection with just about anything that needs it in a vise.