Sight removal advice springfield xd 45

[tpic402]

I have built a sight pusher similar to commercial models I have seen on the internet out of 3.5 square 3/16 wall tubing, trying to push out the rear sight on my xd 45 has literally destroyed it without even budging the sight. has anyone ever milled one out and if so what kind of end mill should I use.

 

[tripletap3]

Does your XD have a plain fixed sight or is it a Bomar style adjustable sight? If it is an adjustable sight you must remove the adjustment screw first.

 

[bosephus]

Also be sure you are trying to push it out the correct direction .. sight dovetails are cut with a slight taper .

Always push it from the left to the right

 

[Rangemaster1]

It's been my experience with XD's that the sights must be firmly and forcefully driven from the slide. I have several very heavy duty pushers that won't even slightly move those sights.

Firmly mount the sight in a good padded vice. Using a stout bronze punch, pound out the sight from L to R. Use caution not to mar the slide. I would not recommend a steel punch because they can dig into the top of the slide, but sometimes, that may be the only way to move the sight.

Good luck,

Ron

 

[Andre]

XD's are a pain to remove sights from. Try using a little penetrating oil and light heat and just give a good solid whack.

 

[tpic402]

They are plain old fixed sights, going to try the BFH method with a touch of heat from propane. Thanks for advice

 

[brasssmanget]

Yup - I feel your pain. I finally broke down and bought one of the specialized pushers for the XD models. Hammer and punch didn't budge em', and I refused to go impact hammer on em'. The factory pusher worked perfect.

 

[bosephus]

Another idea that may help if you havent gotten the the sight removed yet .

As you already have it boogered up already take a hack saw to it and make a relief cut
Doesnt have to be all the way threw the sight
Just getting relief cut three quarters of the way threw it will make things easier

 

[tpic402]

Sight removal update, brass punch,slight heat from propane and the final ingredient penetrating oil worked like a dream)

 

[Cheeseking]

I am by no means a gunsmith but would the pusher tool mounted in a small arbor press do the trick?? Seems less likely to booger things up vs pounding w a hammer. Btw I have an xds for ccw and its a great little gun to shoot.