Sight Removal:
Disassemble pistol slide from frame according to manufacture specifications and directions. Place slide in a suitable holding fixture before removing sights. It is highly recommended to use a vice with something to protect the pistol slide from damaging. This can be achieved by using wooden blocks or cardboard in-between the pistol slide and vice. Using a brass or nylon sight punch, tap out the front and rear factory sights. Be cautious of set screws, pins, or springs that may be underneath or in the front or rear sights. Consult the manufacture requirements on sight removal.
Front/ Rear Sight Installation:
Once factory front/rear sights are removed, clean all surfaces on the slide and within empty dovetails. Use an alcohol based solvent to clean all gun oils and residues before installing new Williams sights.
!!! NOTE:: Aluminum sights will buckle and bend if not properly fitted. DO NOT use a sight pusher on aluminum sights!!!
With the slide locked securely in a vice with protective wood to prevent damaging the slide. Place the front/rear sight in the dovetail by hand to determine how much fitting will need to be done. Make sure the sight is going in the correct direction. The part of the sight with the exposed fiber optic showing will be pointed towards the shooters eye.
To determine how much fitting will be needed. The leading edge of the front/rear sight dovetail should be able to be inserted by hand about halfway into the pistol slide’s dovetail. If the sight’s dovetail does not then using a fine file, remove a thin layer of the dovetail on the bottom of the sight. Do NOT over file! Only remove a small amount at a time until the sight dovetail can be inserted half way in the pistol dovetail.
Once front/rear sight fitting is complete and placed in dovetail. Use a brass or nylon sight punch to insert the sight the remaining distance. The front/rear sight should be center within the slide for optimum shooting accuracy. Use calipers to verify.
Once factory front sight is removed, clean all surfaces on the slide and within sight well in the slide. Apply a removable Loctite (ex: Loctite 609) to the new front sight threads. Place the sight into the sight well in the slide, such that the exposed fiber optic end is facing the shooter.
Holding the sight in place with a finger, turn the slide upside down. Then using small needle nose pliers or the correct size socket, screw in the sight retaining screw. After assembly, allow a minimum of 8 hours for glue to cure before shooting.
(! NEW MODELS !)
The new Firesight model for Ruger MK-2, MK-3, MK-4 now comes with the rear sight base. The rear sight is to be installed like any other dovetail rear sight (see above).
The front sight for Bull Barrel and Lite models reuse the front screw from the factory sight.
To install a taper barrel front sight, please consult with a gunsmith about drilling the attaching thru hole to the correct size and location.
*SAVE factory detent coil spring and detent pin. They are needed for assembly of Williams rear Firesight
Rear sight removal: Remove hinge (roll) pin with small punch, this may require some force to remove. With gun in upright position remove top elevation screw and lift off top sight assembly. Turn over the top sight assemble and make notice of the detent coil spring and elevation detent pin are still located in top assemble. Carefully remove these two factory parts. These will be needed in Williams Firesight top assembly.
Rear Firesight assembly: Using the factory elevation coil spring and elevation detent instill in the bottom side of the Firesight top sight assembly. Use the same configuration that they were removed from the factory sight. Lay rear top sight assembly over elevation leaf spring and factory sight housing. Start elevation screw on top of sight assembly but do not tighten. Install hinge (roll) and screw down elevation screw to desired height.
Front sight installation: Remove factory front sight pin by unscrewing. Remove front sight windage drum with hammer and punch. Slide Firesight into ramp through front of hood. Install screw furnished through hole where drum was and tighten.
Rear Sight removal/install: To remove your original rear sight, use a small screw driver or punch to push down on the rear sight spring behind the role pin. While pushing down on spring pull out original rear sight. To install new Firesight compress down on rear sight spring and then push the sight forward and down until it locks under role pin.
This technique can be used for any front rifle sight with a dovetail or with a ramped dovetail. Remove factory front sight using brass or nylon punch while barrel is securely locked in vice. Clean the dovetail of any gun oils or residues with an alcohol based solvent. Place the front sight in the dovetail by hand to determine how much fitting will need to be done. Make sure the front of the sight is facing the shooters eye. The front of the sight is determined by the “flat” face of the sight. The angled face is pointed away from the shooter.
To determine how much fitting will be needed. The leading edge of the front sight dovetail should be able to be inserted by hand about halfway into the dovetail. If the sight’s dovetail does not then using a fine file, remove a thin layer of the dovetail on the bottom of the sight. Do NOT over file! Only remove a small amount at a time until the sight dovetail can be inserted half way in the dovetail.
Once front sight fitting is complete and placed in dovetail. Use a brass or nylon sight punch to insert the sight the remaining distance. The front sight should be center within the slide for optimum shooting accuracy. Use calipers to verify.
