How to adjust the front sight on a 1911?

[Big_Red]

The sight on my 1911 is off-center causing all my shots to go to the left. I would like to adjust it but do not have a sight tool to do it with. Is there some way I can do it? Can I use a brass punch and gently tap it?

Any suggestions?

 

[highlander]

Brass punch and a brass mallet should do the trick with the aid of a portable vice.
If you happen to be in my neck of the woods I have a sight pushing tool and I can move it for you. All I need to know is how far off the sight is at what distance and I can adjust from that. Forgot to mention I home for at least the rest of the mont from surgery so drop me a PM if interested.

 

[BOBKATT]

It depends on the gun. Is it a SW1911? Just curious because mine suffered the same problem. If the sight is in a dovetail like the SW1911 then yes you can drift it with a vice, hammer, and drift. Sight pushers work better.

 

[Big_Red]

Brass punch and a brass mallet should do the trick with the aid of a portable vice.
If you happen to be in my neck of the woods I have a sight pushing tool and I can move it for you. All I need to know is how far off the sight is at what distance and I can adjust from that. Forgot to mention I home for at least the rest of the month from surgery so drop me a PM if interested.

I have a bench mounted vice. Thanks for the offer on the sight pushing tool but unfortunately you are too far out for me to travel.

It depends on the gun. Is it a SW1911? Just curious because mine suffered the same problem. If the sight is in a dovetail like the SW1911 then yes you can drift it with a vice, hammer, and drift. Sight pushers work better.

Yes it is a SW1911. I am starting to think that SW's quality control is starting to slack. First I had an issue with the ejector and now this.

BTW, thanks for your responses.

 

[Jarhead]

Not sure about S&W but some 1911 front sights are pinned. Check to make sure that yours is not pinned before you try knocking it with a punch.

 

[JPO]

You should also use a digital caliper and a referece surface to make sure you are on center.

First remove the slide, it make this a lot easier. If you have a precision vise put the slide in with the sight up and the top of the sight parallel and flush to the top of the vise jaws. Using the inside measuring blades of the caliper check to see if the distace from the sides of the slide to the sides of the sight are the same both sides.

To adjust simply open the vise and raise the slide up enough to get the drift into place. An Aluminum drift will not dent the sight, but brass might. Remember to move the front sight in the opposite direction you want to move your hit point. You are hitting left, so move your sight to the right...

But, I would leave the front on the centerline of the slide and move the rear.

 

[Big_Red]

Well, I tried the brass punch method this morning but the sigh did not budge. If anything, the punch actually marred the finish around the sight channel.

I think I am going to have to buy a sight tool. With that said, I have been looking around the Net for one and all I see is rear sight pushers. Can those be used on front sights as well?

Thanks

 

[jim42]

Use a pencil eraser to take out the brass marks on the dve tail,A nylon brush with hoppes 9 and srub ,the marks will come off hope this helps BTW if you want to drive the site off, looking down the rear sight,drive left to right. Jim

 

[JimB]

one way

they only go on one way. Call S&W and find out.

JimB