DrLove Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 guys, trying to change my front sights and install new sights. I can't get the front sights out. This guy said I can freeze the slide or something like that? Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agney5 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Freezing the slide seems counterintuitive since that would cause the slide to shrink. Either way XD sights are extremely tough to remove without the tool. That's not to say they can't be taken out without one but most that do end up with a pretty beat up slide. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLove Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 would heating it work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 If you happen to have an XD then it might be worth it to sent the slide to a smith. I had an XD9 Tactical that I removed sights from. Chucked the slide in a vise and used a heavy hammer and steel punches to beat the shit out of the sights. also tried to carefully cut out the sights with a cutting wheel in my trusty do it all Dremel. I'll never, EVER touch an XD's factory sights EVER again. It took me lots and lots of hours of pounding and swearing. I'm very surprised that I didn't damage the slide with all of that pounding lol. The sights must have been pressed in with some sort of hydraulic press or something. damn. FWIW I really liked that XD aside from removing the ****ing sights haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HI5-O Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Or buy a dedicated sight tool for that gun because the universal ones don't cut for the XD's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I drove the front one out of my wife's XD9 Tac. Replaced it with a .300 Tall Dawson sight and Dawson Adjustable Rear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Bird Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 To make sure you are happy with the finished product. Get a gun smith to do it, the back also. He can best align them as well. JMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
procovert45 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I drove the front one out of my wife's XD9 Tac. Replaced it with a .300 Tall Dawson sight and Dawson Adjustable Rear is daring you to torture yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I dunno what that means lol not much torture. Also if you can't line up a front blade and a rear sight on a slide then someone's eyes are crooked as heck lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agney5 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I dunno what that means lol not much torture. Also if you can't line up a front blade and a rear sight on a slide then someone's eyes are crooked as heck lmao I think he is implying you are lucky, if you go over to xd talk you will see more than your fair share of hoar stories on this subject. Many more than success stories. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Lol I won't say it wasn't taxing! I got pissed at first cursing and asking WTF IS HOLDING IT IN HERE lol. But it came out and got the new one fit easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Dremel cut off wheel. Cut it in half being careful not to touch the slide with it. The two halves literally dropped out of the dovetail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadleyOwens Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 (edited) An air hammer is what I use...I've cut the end of the drifting tool to match up to the sight base...you'll never get it out besides cutting it out any other way..two zaps with an air hammer and its done. You will need to replace the sight after this...LOL!! I would recommend properly fitting the next one and using red loctite. -H.Owens Edited September 7, 2013 by hammerhead1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmca Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I dropped mine off with a smith and was told to come back in a couple hours. When I went back, it was done...he also swore a little, said he had to machine the sight out and swore he'd never do another XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Send it to James and stop the torture. He will install your sights for $20.00 and has a 2 day turn around. XD/HS2000.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFABOVE Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 (edited) I went through the same frustration trying to remove the front sight on my XDM 45,I was ready to send it to Dawson when I found about the Universal Hand Gun Sight tool sold by Fisher in San Diego.I bought the combo kit that has adapters for most pistols...about $85.00 including shipping!Great design and made swapping out my front sight for a Dawson.o1FO easy!It feels good to be able to do it yourself.Now I have a tool that should last a lifetime and an excuse to buy more pistols so that I can get my money's worth out of the sight tool!! Edited September 20, 2013 by DFABOVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynes_world_45 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 big hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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