Learn How To Change + Install Sights on a Pistol the Easy Way

Many gun owners choose to swap out their pistol’s factory sights as their first aftermarket modification for different reasons. Pistol sights offer a variety of features based on the types offered on the market. There are two primary reasons you might opt to change factory sights:

• To upgrade to a specific brand

• To optimize a pistol with a sight better suited to a specific activity or use

Whether you’re looking to avoid paying an expensive gunsmith or you need to change out your pistol sights on a tight deadline, knowing how to properly change sights can help you protect your pistol’s condition.

This guide is aimed to be as universal as possible; however, keep in mind that your particular pistol may require additional tools than we list below. If in doubt, check your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer when you have any questions about what you need.

Changing and installing your new sights doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive)! You’ll just need a small stash of tools to complete the job:

With the specific tools aside, you’ll also need a few other household tools or other supplies you might already have on hand to help make this process easier:

• Trigger clamp or gun vice

• Cotton swabs

• Lead pencil

• Ruler

• Liquid thread locker (like Loctite)

• Microfiber towel

• Needle-nose pliers, front sight tool, or a hex wrench

With dovetail being the most common sight attachment method, the following is a step-by-step guide to successfully swapping out your dovetail-secured sights. Keep in mind that swapping the sights on your pistol is a bit of a different process than sighting a rifle – which you can find out more about here.

During this process, eye protection can help ensure debris or wayward sight particles don’t hurt or impair you in any way. As always, you should make sure your gun is completely unloaded and pointed in a safe direction away from others or yourself. To begin, field strip your pistol so that the recoil spring and the barrel are removed from the slide.

Ready to install your new sights? Here’s how to remove your existing sights the right way:

• Step 1: Secure the existing sight to the barrel using a trigger clamp and table or a gun vice.

• Step 2: Line up your punch and hammer. Tap the hammer against the end of the punch. You’ll begin seeing the rear sight move out of the slot. If your sight isn’t moving much, use some Rem Oil to help lubricate the area.

• Step 3: Use cotton swabs with the Gun Scrubber to remove grime from the slot. Make sure to completely dry any remaining residue when the area is thoroughly cleaned.

• Step 1: Remove the small hexagonal-shaped screw that secures your front sight to the slide using needle-nose pliers, a front sight tool, or a hex wrench.

• Step 2: With the screw out of the way, you’ll be able to repeat the same steps for the rear sight. If your pistol doesn’t have a slide slot for the front sights, you should be able to pull the existing front sight out of its place after you remove the screw within the barrel.

• Step 3: Clean the slide slot if you feel you need to by repeating step 3 for the rear sights section above.

Now that you’ve removed your existing sights and cleaned up your slide to ensure a secure fit, you are ready to install the new sights. Before attempting to move and install your new sights, you should be aware of their dovetail dimensions to ensure they are compatible with your barrel. When you’re confident you have a perfect match, it’s time to start the installation!

• Step 1: Line the new sight up with the slot and use your fingers to gently insert the sight from right to left. Make sure that any dots or markings required for sight lineups are facing you. The sight should easily slide in about one-third of the way before giving resistance.

• Step 2: Secure the existing sight to the barrel using a trigger clamp and table or a gun vice.

• Step 3: Line up your punch and hammer. Tap the hammer against the end of the punch. You’ll begin seeing the rear sight move into the slot. Continue doing this until the sight is fully inserted into the slot and appears centered.

• Step 1: Insert the new sight from right to left into its slot using your fingers or by gently easing it with the hammer and punch. Make sure that any dots or markings required for sight lineups are facing you.

• Step 2: Center sight on the slide.

• Step 3: Place a small dot of liquid thread locker onto the pointy tip of the screw included with your new sight.

• Step 4: Insert the screw with the thread locker into the hole on the slide.

• Step 5: Tighten the screw using needle-nose pliers, a front sight tool, or a hex wrench.

After ensuring both your front and rear sights are visually centered during the installation process, you’ll need to take a trip to the gun range and see how your rounds are landing to make more specific alignment adjustments. If you’re wondering how to measure your pistol sights for more accuracy, here’s a quick guide:

When shooting, if you find your rounds land more to the right or left of where you’re aiming, you need to adjust your windage. You can adjust the windage by doing one of the following:

• Drifting your front and/or rear sight side-to-side

• If you've purchased an adjustable rear sight, it likely has a small pin or screw included that can be turned to quickly make this adjustment

If your rounds land above or below where you aim, adjust your elevation. On an adjustable rear sight, there’s usually a small dial that you can quickly and easily turn to make the necessary changes. If yours does not have one, you may need to swap out your front sight for one with the correct elevation.

If you have elevation problems on a fixed sight, you likely need to purchase and install a shorter/taller front sight. This is why front and rear sights are often sold as sets to fit specific pistol models. Want to know how to change out fixed sights? Keep reading!

While dovetail-secured sights are the most common, sights can be affixed to your pistol with more permanent means — like being welded or soldered on. You’ll easily be able to tell if your sight is permanent (or fixed) or not just by looking at your sights.

But while fixed sights might mean they’re unmovable, that doesn’t have to mean un-adjustable – it just might take a little more elbow grease! As we mentioned above, you’ll need a shorter front sight if you shoot too low. Admittedly, adjusting fixed sights when you shoot too low is a bit easier of a process than when you shoot too high.

• Step 1: Using a gunsmithing file, gently file the top of your fixed front sight on a flat surface.

• Step 2: Look down the barrel of your pistol to ensure you file down your front sight evenly.

• Step 3: When you’re at the range, practice shooting with the new elevation. If it’s still too low, repeat the process as necessary until you’re happy with the result.

Removing soldered sights does require more advanced tools and attention to detail. But it’s certainly not too hard or impossible! Here’s how to change your soldered sights:

• Step 1: Break off old sight (using pliers), or remove old solder (using a soldering iron).

• Step 2: Remove any traces of old solder (using a soldering iron).

• Step 3: Test fit the new sights. If they are too large or have too much overhang, you can use a file to remove small amounts of material at a time.

• Step 4: Place the test-fitted sight in its final position and apply new solder.

Whether you’re looking to improve accuracy, visibility, or just want to upgrade past your factory-installed set, replacing your sights is a great way to improve the look and performance of your pistol. If you’re ready to find your next set of pistol sights, head over to the Pistol Sights Shop online or in-store at Academy Sports + Outdoors – and remember to always practice safe gun handling techniques.