Darn, darn, darn, or how not to do a sight installation.

[gb6491]

I decided to put a Trijicon rear sight on my CW9 today. In hindsight, that might not have been a good idea. I wasn't all that pumped to do it, had a headache, and it was hot in the garage. That's not a good formula, but I was impatient
Things started out well, got the slide taped off and mounted in the vise;
http://i56.tinypic.com/25t9clv.jpg
Using a brass punch and hammer, the factory sight came off fairly easy (I had hit it with some PB blaster several days ago):
http://i51.tinypic.com/20h0vo4.jpg
Test fit the Trijicon and will start by removing material from the bottom of the sight. Interestingly, Trijicon rounds the sharp corners on one end of the sight to make it easier to install; too bad it's on the opposite end from that where Kahr widens the dovetail to make installation easier.
http://i56.tinypic.com/2uzxu7b.jpg
Sanding/filing the bottom is going OK, but being impatient, I decide to take some material off the sides of the tenon as well:
http://i52.tinypic.com/1z689jo.jpg
About the time I think I should tape the sight off while filing the sides, I slip and scratch the sight. It looks like crap (even touched up with cold blue):mad::o:(.
I decide to sand it (made a custom jig with a popsicle stick to keep the lines straight):
http://i55.tinypic.com/2qc48j9.jpg

Continued...

[gb6491]

Now I'll finish fitting the sight until it will go just about half way into the dovetail (with relative ease), then clean the sight and plop it into some parkerizing solution:
http://i54.tinypic.com/qq8s4p.jpg
Positioning the parkerizied sight as far into the dovetail as I can force it to go, I'll finish the installation with a sight pusher:
http://i55.tinypic.com/20igs45.jpg
Finished:
http://i51.tinypic.com/a9weab.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/euisgk.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/2w5q1r7.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/1z5tbiw.jpg
Perhaps I would have been better off waiting until the stars were more properly aligned to do this installation, but I think the parkerizing solution saved the day.
Regards,
Greg

[wyntrout]

They turned out well... you recovered nicely. I would have live with the tiny scratch. I don't know if you remember my "factory installed" NS on the P380 I waited 11 months to get and the front NS was dead... AND it looked like somebody's kid used pliers to put the NS on... both of them! The front was replaced, but the rear still has like pliers marks on them.

I hope they shoot to POA. That's my worry and why I got adjustable ones on my S.A. Champion and let Novak do the work with their sights.

I still can't decide if I want to blow major $$ and get the 14k gold dot front sight and adjustable rear with the wider notch at Novak. They would have to make up the sights and do some milling... easily $300++, I imagine. I asked about several options, including the one I just mentioned and all I got back was that they were out of Kahr sights with 4-6 weeks wait.:(

Anyhow, I'm glad those turned out okay.

Wynn:)

[TucsonMTB]

In my experience, you never learn how good a craftsman is until something goes wrong and they have an opportunity to show how good they are by recovering gracefully.

You are good!

[gb6491]

Thanks gents, I got lucky with the fix. I thought the paint around the tritium capsules might be affected by the parkerizing solution, but it was fine.
Darn Wynn, I wish you hadn't mentioned that gold dot front sight. I been thinking about having them put one on my Hi Power along with a refinish in matte blue.
Regards,
Greg

[OldLincoln]

Yup! That was a "former" Tiger Woods on a long par 5 punching his second shot out of the rough between two trees 20 yards away and 5' apart hitting blind to the green over water and rolling it within 12' of the cup.

In non-golf terms, ya did good.

[wyntrout]

On the Novak site there's a testimonial by an old dude talking about how Novak put the gold dot front and the wide notch rear on his, enabling his old eyes to shoot decently again. The gold really shows up and doesn't get tarnished like the brass. IT's ONLY $119.95... price fluctuates with the price of gold! Then, there's milling and installation! Plus I want a rear sight, too, preferably the adjustable with the wide notch. I'm not sure it would help me, but that guy's testimony sounded good. He had all of his shooters done that way!
I'll bet that would run me closer to $400... or MORE, WITH a military discount on the parts!

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Here's the page... scroll down to endorsements... Ex-FBI agent:

http://www.novaksights.com/information/index.html

Wynn:)

[Bawanna]

I was waiting for a horrible turn of events or tragic turn for the worse, you came out with a happy ending with only a few bumps in the process.

I think they look great.

[sierrajb]

gb6491, I'm impressed! Not only was this a nice rescue and recovery job, those close-up pictures are unbelievable. What camera did you use? Just curious, cause I like cameras, too.

[gb6491]

I was waiting for a horrible turn of events or tragic turn for the worse, you came out with a happy ending with only a few bumps in the process.

I think they look great.
Thanks Boss! I'll tell you when that file skittered it certainly felt like a tragic turn, as well as being disgusted with myself.


gb6491, I'm impressed! Not only was this a nice rescue and recovery job, those close-up pictures are unbelievable. What camera did you use? Just curious, cause I like cameras, too.
Thanks! I have a Sony DSC-H10.

Wynn,
Thanks for the link.

regards,
Greg

[wyntrout]

Hey! You're welcome. I'll bet you're glad that wasn't a power tool... that can really wake you up I've had some oopsies... one with a power saw that utgged the left glove i was wearing to protect from splinters... bad idea! The tug included removing part of my left thumbprint!:eek: IT sure looked worse after I pulled the glove off... no pain for a few minutes... just like the .22 through my right thigh... the Quick Draw Incident... emulating Clint Eastwood right after I got out of the Air Force the first time, at age 22!
That's why BG's need a liberal application of lead and copper to make sure they notice! Numbness and shock can cover up pain. Sometimes that's good... for a short time.

Wynn:D

[recoilguy]

Nicely played and very nicely documented.......The gun looks great too. Have fun, be safe.

RCG

[MW surveyor]

Thanks gb. Just ordered the front night sight for my CW9. Hope it helps me acquire the front sight easier!

[Bill K]

The end result looks really good to my eye. I'm impressed, I don't think it is a job I'd take on myself.

[gb6491]

recoilguy, MW suryeor, and Bill K,
Thanks for the comments, they are very much appreciated.

Bill, it's not that difficult a task with the right tools. I did my CW45 sometime back and knew from it not to fool with the sight pusher when removing the factory sight. I made my punch out of some flat brass stock and it worked fine. I probably could have used it to do the install, but the sight pusher is more gentle on night sights. If I would have just been more careful and used the correct technique when fitting the sight the install would have went without a hitch.

I was able to put 35 rounds through the CW9 today; all from ten yards, standing. Shooting some magazines fast and others slowly, it was not my best day, but the sights seem close. I'll try them shooting off the bench next time, but they'll work for now. One good thing: I had a tendency to shoot a few rounds high during a session with the factory rear sight, but didn't seem to do that today with Trijicons.
http://i51.tinypic.com/16gwqk0.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Bawanna tip # 367- wipe off your pencil good after sharpening so it doesn't leave residue on the target (it really doesn't look like gun powder) when you punch holes in your target to show off.

Seriously, well I don't do serious but if that isn't your best day I do not ever want to get on your bad side.
Your a force to be reckoned with.

[wyntrout]

That will certainly do until you can benchrest it. :) You would certainly nail the BGs.

Wynn:)

[gb6491]

Bawanna tip # 367- wipe off your pencil good after sharpening so it doesn't leave residue on the target (it really doesn't look like gun powder) when you punch holes in your target to show off.

Seriously, well I don't do serious but if that isn't your best day I do not ever want to get on your bad side.
Your a force to be reckoned with.
LOL Bawanna, I thought I took that photo from far enough away to hide the pencil residue:D

I agree Wynn, it certainly is "minute of torso" accurate as is:)

Regards,
Greg

[TucsonMTB]

Okay . . . let me guess. It looks like you shot ball ammo for most of the rounds but may have included at least one magazine full of JHP? The sharp edged, round holes made by JHP when I shoot it appear to be in short supply.

And . . . what happened to the fliers? Usually there are at least a couple in my targets. I thought they were mandatory. :rolleyes:

[wyntrout]

I usually shoot at sturdy cardboard... TV, recliner chair, or refrigerator boxes. I tape the holes and after I get tired of taping the tape, I tape on paper plates. Just plain paper tears and doesn't make neat holes. It kind of looks like the paper is mounted on cardboard, but loosely, allowing more tearing. But, hey, they are holes and center of mass.

Wynn:)

[gb6491]

Okay . . . let me guess. It looks like you shot ball ammo for most of the rounds but may have included at least one magazine full of JHP? The sharp edged, round holes made by JHP when I shoot it appear to be in short supply.

And . . . what happened to the fliers? Usually there are at least a couple in my targets. I thought they were mandatory. :rolleyes:
Naw, it's all PMC ball. I think the "sharper" holes are just how that stick-on orange dot tears.

In regards to fliers, I said it wasn't my best day, never said it wasn't a good day:D (darn, that sounded like Tom Selleck in "Quigley Down Under"). Not to worry though, I have my fair share brother: let me bring the P11 along next time.:eek:

Wynn,
I'm a big fan of paper plates, masking tape, and pizza boxes

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Selleck was awesome in Quigley. They have a rifle like he had in that movie on the wall of my new local gun shop. It's calling my name too.
"Never had much use for one" but I want it anyway.

[muggsy]

Geeze, now I'm thinkin' 'bout ordering some trijicon sights for my CM9. For a guy with ten thumbs you made the installation look easy. :) Now, where's my anvil and rubber hammer? Great save GB6491.