Real Avid Master Handgun Sight Pusher – Universal Front & Rear Pistol Sight Adjustment Tool – Precision Dovetail Installation & Removal for Glock, 1911 & Most Striker-Fire Handguns

I added a red dot to my Springfield Hellcat, so I needed to replace the front and rear iron sights to allow co-witnessing with the red dot. I tried using a nylon punch, which was an almost immediate fail. The punch just started to disintegrate. Then I tried using a steel punch, but the sights didn't move at all. I decided to purchase this sight pusher because I felt the less expensive ones just wouldn't do the job and/or have a greater potential to damage the slide. I first tried using the standard configuration with the nylon holders and turned the handle by hand, but that didn't work. Then I got a torque wrench and set it to 156 in lbs (the max recommended) and started to use that to push the slide out. No joy. The slide started to angle away from the direction of the force being applied rather than the sight moving in the dovetail. So, I swapped out the nylon holders for the steel ones (putting the protective pads on the mating surface) and gave it another try - first just by hand, and then using the torque wrench. Still no good. But then I tried something that was recommended in the instructions. After loading up the sight with some pressure I got a hammer and gave the handle a good whack. That did the trick and the sight broke loose. The vertical knob adjustments are a bit awkward, as they are in pretty close proximity to the body of the pusher. And I found aligning the block accurately to the sight dovetails to be a bit tricky. I've seen some other sights that have a sighting hole that allows you to look perpendicular to the slide to align the block to the dovetails. That seems like it would be a nice feature to have. And even with the steel holders the torque would push the slide at an angle a bit. It would be nice if there was some way to lock the slide down solidly. But it worked well enough, and I don't doubt that any difficult to remove sights will require the steel holders. I debated a lot about just bringing my gun to a gunsmith rather than purchasing a pusher. It seemed the going rate was $60 including bore sighting, plus time and gas for multiple trips. So, I'll call it $70 - about half the price of this tool. And then, if I found adjustments were necessary it was just more hassle. I figured the cost was close enough to a gunsmith to justify an additional $80 just to have a tool for the future.

The front sight on my Ruger SR1911 45 broke the other day while I was at the range. First, I thought I would try to drift it out with a brass punch, but I feared damaging the slide. I did some research and this pusher came up as one of the best. I've had Real Avid products in the past and had been very pleased with them. Ruger is known for having a tight fit on their sights and this one was no exception. I actually had to follow Real Avid's recommendation of giving the pusher a slight tap with a hammer to get it started and still had to use a 3/8" ratchet to get the darn thing out, but I don't think I'd have had much luck with a lesser tool. This thing is a beast and will do the job. UPDATE: Ok, sight on my 1911 is now in. Lessons learned: 1. The side holding pins have to be TIGHT. I mean TIGHT. I had to use a pair of pliers to snug mine up because Ruger sight cut a so tight. 2. Use a drop of oil in the cutout to help the sight along. 3. Also, don't forget to put some oil on the pressure points and threads of the tool. This also helps things along. I did end up using a rachet in the socket recess to gain more torque because I could not get enough force by using the handle alone. All in all, it was a learning process, but slow and easy won the day.

Removing the front sight on a P320 M18 is a pain in the ass. I tried other pushers, but none of them worked. I also tried using a hammer and punch and almost destroyed the sight. Then I found a post on Sig Talk from someone who had the same issue as me. He recommended this pusher. Alright, I figured I’d give it a try—guess what? It works phenomenally! This thing just works. Solid, easy to use, and it did exactly what it was supposed to do without any drama.

It’s probably the best “universal” sight pusher I’ve used. And I’ve been able to change sights on pistols they don’t recommend or say it does not work with (Ruger Mk series .22) by fabricating wooden blocks to hold the receiver. It’s built pretty stout. But it’s a bit annoying to use. You’ll spend a lot of time fiddling with its numerous screws. I’ve used it on maybe 50 pistols so far and not had issues with it marring or failing to do the job. I’m not completely sold on the “Real Avid” brand. But so far they make reasonable tools. If you only work on one brand of pistol, then get a pusher for that make. If you work on everything, then it’s a great compromise that works well.

First things first. If you are having slide tilt issues with the tool that is normal for pretty much every tool like this. It will get better depending on your experience and the way the sights are mounted. Some sights are pressed in and have loctite in them. They are hard to do regardless of the tool. Next up take your oil and oil the crap out of the threads. They stick and are hard to turn if you don't. Have patience, take your time, and make sure it's well lubed. I noticed one issue in the regard. Out of the box there was debris stuck to the main threaded area. Dust or whatever it was. I used oil and a cleaning pad to remove it. Great quality overall but one of the feet was missing on mine and found inside and I restuck it on. That really could use a redesign as they seem to pop off too easy. It does what it is supposed to do and does it very well. If you have a really stubborn one and having an issue using this I would highly recommend a gunsmith instead.