MP-Pistol Forum banner

M&p shield 9 Sight replacement

3K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  wheelguner 
#1 ·
Default M&p Shield 9 Sight replacement
Advertisement
AdChoices
AD FEEDBACK
So I'm the proud owner of a new shield 9mm. I've put 400 rounds through it over the last four weeks and have been very happy with my decision to purchase this handgun to replace my Taurus CIA .357 snubby as my EDC. There were only two things I felt I needed to add to the gun for it to suit my needs. I put Talon grips on it last week (love them) and today I took it to a gunsmith to swap out the stock sights for XS Big Dot's.

My question is this. I've never had the occasion to use a gunsmith before so not sure of what are reasonable expectations with regards to the finished project. When I received my pistol back I noticed some marring on the finish on both sides of the rear sight. It's fairly noticeable. I presume this is from using some sort of tool to tap the sights into place...I understand they fit very tight. I know my gun is essentially a tool and I wouldn't lose a moments sleep if this was my hammer. I also understand it won't affect performance, but I don't know...it's less than a month old and just a bit disappointing getting it back with some of the finished scratched off. There was also a bit of a mark on the slide itself...I'm guessing from the vice. I can live with it and suspect it might even come off with a good wipe down.

I'd love to hear some feedback from more experienced gun owners who have had more dealings with gunsmiths. Am I being whiney or do I have a reason to complain?
 
See less See more
#8 ·
I could be misreading the photos, but it looks like the rear sight has gouges in it, they are photos and I could be misinterpreting what I'm seeing.

IMHO the guy looks like a klutz, if I pay someone who is supposed to be a professional to do a job, I would be extremely disappointed if it came back looking like that.

Looking at the way that "gunsmith" installed the rear sight, it looks to me like instead of taking the time to fit the sight properly, he took the "lets use a bigger hammer" approach.
 
#10 ·
sights

I would agree that it doesn't really look like brass. Actually one mark looks like it could be when I look at it up close, but it really looks more like whatever he was holding against the sight to tap it in was moving across it marring the finish. Beyond shooting these guys I don't know much about how they are finished etc., but curious if there's anything I might be able to do to clean up the damage to the finish if it turns out to not be brass? I plan to call this fellow and express my dissatisfaction, but have a hunch he's not going to respond to it. I think he's fairly old-school and views the weapon as a tool and will find my concern about finish to be silly. Just my best guess. What would be your expectation as to how he should resolve. Just want to make sure I'm not being unreasonable. If I don't get anywhere with him I'll likely just get over myself as I do with the first scratch on a new car. That said, this is a valuable learning lesson for me.
 
#13 ·
Update: So I called the shop and talked to one of his other guys that works there. He assured me they would make it right and agreed that means eating the cost of the rear sight and installing it without leaving damage to it. The cost is only $30 for the rear sight, so I'm not asking much by having them replace it and being more attentive to the quality of the job. Hopefully will be a good outcome and I'm not making a further mistake by giving him my gun again. I spoke with another local gunsmith...actually took it for him to look at it and he agreed it was a poor job, but thought I should allow the shop to make it right. I tend to agree. Thanks everyone for your informed feedback...much appreciated. Glad to be a part of this community.
 
#14 ·
Gunsmith

I have called myself a "gunsmith" for over 30yrs. I have a good reputation for my revolver work and recently acquired a Shield for personal carry. Through the years I have amassed a large collection of the tools of the trade, including a B & J MACHINE - P500 UNIVERSAL SIGHT TOOL. I have lost count of how many sights I have installed. Experience has taught me the value of Kroil and I ALWAYS apply liberally to all sights I have to remove, allowing it to do its magic overnight if possible. I recently replaced the sights on my Shield with a set of Ameriglo I-dot O/g sights. I was able to remove the rear with the sight tool encountering firm resistance. The front sight refused to yield to the tool and deformed the brass tip of the tool. Clamped the slide in my heavy vise (with leather jaw pads) and went to work with my Brownell's Brass Dovetail punch and Brownell's Dead blow hammer with zero movement. Switched to a medium ball-peen hammer figuring the synthetic hammer was not transferring the energy well enough and all I accomplished was deforming the tip of this punch. Grabbed a steel punch that I had made and after hammering way harder than I like was able to remove that rascal. That is the MOST STUBBORN BAS^&*D I have encountered. I have attached pics of tools used and also one of the front of my shop apron to show that I don't let my ego get in the way. I will add that if I had damaged/marred a set of sights like that the customer would never know because I would have replaced them as needed until I got it right. If a sight is fitted correctly that kind of damage should never occur.
Text Bag T-shirt Font Tote bag


Musical instrument accessory Rectangle Beige Wood Musical instrument


Technology Electronic device Metal Steel Hardware accessory
 
#15 ·
**Update**

So, I took my shield back to the gunsmith who did the less than quality work on installing my xs big dot sights. He replaced the rear sight flawlessly, with no marring. He also refunded me my $41 which was the cost of the new rear sight and the shipping. Actually he handed me $45...I presume the extra $3 bucks was for my time and trouble.

Additionally, and to his credit, he absolutely owned the mistake. I noticed when i dropped the gun off with him that his arm was in a sling. Well, apparently he had had shoulder surgery the day before and was on pain meds. He told me that he "should never have been working that day". I respect his honesty and taking responsibility for his poor quality work. I would now feel comfortable recommending him and will.

I have attached a couple of pics of the new very good quality xs big dot sight install.

Also, with regards to sight pushers being used on these sights...I spoke with a rep at xs when I ordered my replacement rear sight and he said they actually do not recommend using a sight pusher to install their sights. He suggested that it could cause damage. Their instructions that ship with the new sights also recommend not using a sight pusher, but rather a nylon or brass punch. He said some filing may be necessary to get them in. Just an FYI for anyone who might be looking to install these as a number of folks on here have mentioned using a pusher.
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top