SIG front sight question

[Seismic Sam]

Okay, I have a SIG P226 that shoots high with a #8 front sight, so I ordered a #7 and a #5 from CDNN for $2.95 each rather than the $24.95 from the SIG website. (Lucky me!)

Now the question comes, what is the best tool to tap out the old sight and put in the new one? I have the usual brass punch set and hammer, but the dovetail on the sight is rather thin, and it's going to take a pretty small diameter punch to match up to that thin width. It looks to me like the flat base of a gun screwdriver would be a far better match to the base of the sight to drive it out.

So what is the best way to do this??

[1911fan]

Brass rod but lay it on the sander for a few seconds to create a flat on one side. That flat should just fit the dovetail.

[Widge]

1. Sig sights are installed from the left to right, removal is the opposite.

2. If you don't want to ding your slide, use a brass punch, and don't be afraid to hit it hard, some sights can take a bit of moving. If necessary tape up the slide around the area you're going to work on to protect it.

3. Lube the dovetail liberally.

4. It can sometimes help to put the sights in the freezer for half an hour and warm the slide gently before attempting installation.

5. If the sight won't fit no matter what you try, adjust the sight, not the slide dovetail. Sights are cheap, slides are not.

6. Consider taking it to a Gunsmith, since the easiest way to install new sights and remove old ones is with a sight pusher, and it's cheaper to have them fit them than buying new gear.

Good luck.

[Squib Joe]

[David]

Yep, I highly recommend a sight pusher. It won't damage your gun, and the knob makes it so that you can adjust your windage in micrometer increments, which is nice.

I have one, which I bought specifically for the P226 (but it works on most P22X series SIGs) and you can borrow it. Feel free to PM if interested.

[V Man]

If you are ever in Burnsville, Roger at Burnsville Pistol Range has a Sig Sight tool. He has never charged me anything to install or push sights on any of my Sig's. Roger is a huge fan of Sig Sauer.

[Seismic Sam]

Went and ordered one myself at Pro-X Arms for half the price that SIG is charging.

[sigsteve]

I recommend Ryan at Bill's in Robbinsdale. He's their Gunsmith and he's installed several sights for me on my Sigs. He's got a Sig sight pusher and it won't damage your slide. Do not do this yourself! You will regret it if you don't want marks on your slide and you'll spend hours trying to zero the sights! Not worth it. Ryan charged me like $10 to do this.

[sigsteve]

I have a question. What sight number is on your rear? You should have both #8. If you put a #6 or 7 on it you will shoot even higher. I'd look in to the rear and maybe get a adjustable rear sight.