Just had a local guy in Carthage with a press tell me he can't get my factory sights off a M&P .45 Shield and basically, he's worried about breaking something.  Does anyone know someone who might can take the factory sights off and put some night sights on?  I'm in central MS but can drive a few hours if necessary.   Thanks.

I know on those there is a spring right under the rear sight that is easily damaged. Watch a video on YouTube it can be done with common hand tools but you have to understand how the rear sight interacts with the spring assembly underneath.

Thanks

Is the 45 shield different than the 9? I had to put my slide in the freezer over night and the sight swap was quite easy.

No idea.  Looks easy enough but I've never tried to do it and, lol, basically don't wanna screw something up cause there would be tears.

I use an MGW Sight-Pro with the correct shoes and have never had a problem getting sights off any handgun.

I tape the clamping surfaces of the slide with painter's tape, and use plastic shims on the press pads, tightening everything down so it won't move. At all.

Soak the sight dovetail in Kroil for a little while, tapping the area lightly with a brass hammer to help the Kroil seep in before applying steady, consistent pressure with the press.

Works every time, even on those godawful tight S&W dovetails.

Some dovetails are cut with a slight taper, and you have to make sure which way to push the sight out. My notebook back home has a list of models that I know of, and there's resources available on the Internet.

If he's telling you he's afraid of breaking something, he's probably using cheap tools or doesn't know what he's doing.

I'm almost tempted to open a shop in south Mississippi, after hearing all the horror stories about the state of Mississippi gunsmithing.