1911 rear sight adjustment tool

[DonDale]

Where may I purchase a tool to drift adjust the non-adjustable rear sight on a 1911 - for windage only - not elevation. These tools are available for other fixed sighted pistols. They operate by clamping the slide with the tool and turning a jack screw which bears on one side of the sight to drift it either right or left.

[gfavaron]

Brownells has several different types. I have one (584-045-001DC), but haven't used it much except for the initial installation of new sights.

It is just so much simpler to adjust (tap) the sight with a nylon or wood rod. In fact, if you avoid a vise by having someone hold the slide for you in their hand while you tap, I think you are less likely to scratch anything than when installing or removing a sight mover.

Just my two cents.

[Hawkmoon]

That's the same tool I have. I think using the sight mover creates less chance of marring the slide than trying to whack it with a punch and hammer. The slide is held in place by the clamp on the bottom locking into the internal slide grooves. The sides of the slide never touch the inside of the tool opening. It's also a lot easier with the tool to avoid moving the sight too far.

http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/584045092.jpg

[gfavaron]

I certainly agree with Hawkmoon that the Brownell sight mover is better when installing a new sight and a lot of movement is necessary to get it centered in the dovetail. To do that with a punch would require a lot of "whacks" and sooner or later the odds for a miss hit would catch up with the whacker.

But if all one is doing is moving the impact point an inch or two while at the range, the Brownell tool is overkill. A nylon tipped punch and one or two light taps can do that quite safely.

[Joni Lynn]

I haven't found anything between these sight movers and whacking it with a whatever.

[ranburr]

Hammer, brass punch, done.

ranburr