Widening rear sight - or replace
- Tenring
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 2483
- Joined: June 2nd, 2018, 10:13 am
- Reputation: 7
- Location: Cave Creek
Widening rear sight - or replace
I just bought a Springfield XDS Mod 2 with the front night sight. When sighting the front sight through the rear it is tight. Meaning there is no light on either side of the front sight. I like a lot of light on either side so I need to open it up.
It has a U notch rear sight so trying to figure out the best way to do it. I guess I could file or dremel it open and use some cold blu.......if I destroy it replace it.
Any ideas on a better way to go about it?
Thanks for any replies.
It has a U notch rear sight so trying to figure out the best way to do it. I guess I could file or dremel it open and use some cold blu.......if I destroy it replace it.
Any ideas on a better way to go about it?
Thanks for any replies.
- Crippledtrigger
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1326
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 2:20 pm
- Reputation: 1
- Location: AZ. via TX.
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
New sight. No home brew dremel gunsmith attempts. You will never get it right and end up buying a new one anyways.
Also is the front sight one of the big fat night sights or just a standard one with tritium insert. Determine that first.
I would just buy the set I liked. They arent that expensive. Especially if you just paid about 4 Bill's with the load up pack with the 5 mags and estras.
Also is the front sight one of the big fat night sights or just a standard one with tritium insert. Determine that first.
I would just buy the set I liked. They arent that expensive. Especially if you just paid about 4 Bill's with the load up pack with the 5 mags and estras.
- Tenring
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 2483
- Joined: June 2nd, 2018, 10:13 am
- Reputation: 7
- Location: Cave Creek
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Yes - it is one of the big fat night sights, so kinda wanted to use it and only open/replace the rear if possible.
Thx
Thx
- Crippledtrigger
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1326
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 2:20 pm
- Reputation: 1
- Location: AZ. via TX.
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
You should be able to find a wide rear sight from one of the target sight makers.
I asked about the fat front night sights cause they are big for a reason, i.e. front sight visibility at night shooting. Not for fine target shooting where people like to see light on each side of the front sight.
Good luck. You're trying to combine 2 different methodologies there. That said I'm sure you're not the first so you might get lucky.
I asked about the fat front night sights cause they are big for a reason, i.e. front sight visibility at night shooting. Not for fine target shooting where people like to see light on each side of the front sight.
Good luck. You're trying to combine 2 different methodologies there. That said I'm sure you're not the first so you might get lucky.
- pvreb
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 226
- Joined: July 9th, 2018, 9:10 am
- Reputation: 1
- Location: az mountains
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
As a cheap b******, I would try the dremel method. If that didn't work, then I'd buy one.
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Yes I agree new sight.
- shooter444
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1790
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
- Reputation: 6
- Location: Az desert
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Since you want a lot of light on both sides, I would not worry about opening up the rear sight by hand. I would get a square file, in a size that is you minimum width for opening. Start slow, VERY SLOW, and work the filing as straight down as possible. Since you are not a machine, once you file it as deep as you want to go, you will have to shoot it and file on the side that will correct your point of impact. IE,... if it shoots left, file a little at a time on the left side, shooting often to make sure you don't take too much off. If you go too far, just file a little on the right side.
good luck
good luck
- Tenring
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 2483
- Joined: June 2nd, 2018, 10:13 am
- Reputation: 7
- Location: Cave Creek
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Going to give it a go as you describe shooter444, I have located a few replacment sights if needed. I always like doing things myself. That is until i really screw it up.
Thanks everyone
Thanks everyone
- shooter444
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1790
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
- Reputation: 6
- Location: Az desert
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
I hear ya,... not to discourage you, because I like doing things myself, as well,... but,... to be honest, when doing most things for the first time, I rarely do it Right.
Like I said, take it slow, visualize what you goal is with every stroke of the file, and you should be ok,... it ain't rocket science, or brain surgery. But, I highly recommend a SQUARE file.
Like I said, take it slow, visualize what you goal is with every stroke of the file, and you should be ok,... it ain't rocket science, or brain surgery. But, I highly recommend a SQUARE file.
Last edited by shooter444 on September 29th, 2019, 7:46 am, edited 2 times in total.
- needsmostuff
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 545
- Joined: May 17th, 2018, 8:16 pm
- Reputation: 22
- Location: Knee deep in the dry heat of Tucson
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
All good stuff here but for me the direction seems backward.shooter444 wrote: ↑September 26th, 2019, 11:45 am you will have to shoot it and file on the side that will correct your point of impact. IE,... if it shoots left, file a little at a time on the left side, shooting often to make sure you don't take too much off.
On the REAR sight I would file on the side I wanted to move the Point Of Impact towards.
As in if Point Of Impact is left of Point Of Sight I would file the rear sight on the inside right side of rear sight.
Of course , if the rear sight is drift adj, who cares ? file in the middle .
But as Shooter 444 says , Go slow,,,, check often.
This is for sure NOT a job for a Dremil , Strictly a needle file thing.
- shooter444
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1790
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
- Reputation: 6
- Location: Az desert
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Needsmostuff,... you are absolutely correct!
I did have to triple check.
I did have to triple check.

Last edited by shooter444 on September 29th, 2019, 7:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
- needsmostuff
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 545
- Joined: May 17th, 2018, 8:16 pm
- Reputation: 22
- Location: Knee deep in the dry heat of Tucson
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
It's something I have to work thru ,,,,,, every time ,,,,,, I never remember .
I look like a 5TH grader holding out two hands and three fingers .
Then it all changes front or rear.
After all that I have moved them the wrong way,,,,,,, Go figure.
I look like a 5TH grader holding out two hands and three fingers .
Then it all changes front or rear.
After all that I have moved them the wrong way,,,,,,, Go figure.
- shooter444
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1790
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
- Reputation: 6
- Location: Az desert
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Yup, I hear ya loud and clear on the "holding up a bunch of fingers", been there, done that,... but even then I get it wrong, sometimes.
Really a good thing that you caught it,... thanks!
Really a good thing that you caught it,... thanks!
- Tenring
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 2483
- Joined: June 2nd, 2018, 10:13 am
- Reputation: 7
- Location: Cave Creek
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
I get the drift sight left or right mixed up all the time myself lol.
- shooter444
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1790
- Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
- Reputation: 6
- Location: Az desert
Re: Widening rear sight - or replace
Ya, every time I think I finally have it remembered,.... well, shiat happens. 
