M&P replacement front sight too loose

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Stephen1546

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I just picked up a new set of sight for my M&P-9.

Using a puch and a hammer, I gently removed the old front sight (no problems there). The problem came when I went to insert my new sight, it was so loose that it just slips through the dovetail groove.

Am I screwed, or is there another way to secure the sight? I was thinking I might drill and tap the sight for a small set screw to keep it in place, but I'm open to ideas.

Anyone else run into a similar problem?
 
Depending how loose it is, a drop of red loc-tite might be the answer. I know a few guys have had to use that on the dovetail that was cut a but wide at the factory. You might want to use blue loc-tite if you want to be able to remove the sight later.

This might be a dumb question, but is the new sight specifically for an M&P?
 
It's supposed to be specific. It says so on the package. I will try blue locktite, but I'm not sure if it will be strong enough to keep it in place during firing and recoil. I guess if that doesn't work I can step up to red.
 
My factory front sight is drifting to the left. Every 300 rounds or so I have to reset it. Smith & Wesson has indicated that I can send the pistol in and they will correct the problem.

Not sure I want to be without my pistol for a few weeks, though. Maybe I'll buy some new sights and see how they fit. I can always loctite the new ones in if I have to.
 
People scoff at me when I suggest using JB Weld for this type of thing. But that is what I might try. JB Weld is stronger than one might think, and one can remove the sight if that ever becomes necessary.
 
fuchsix said:
My factory front sight is drifting to the left. Every 300 rounds or so I have to reset it. Smith & Wesson has indicated that I can send the pistol in and they will correct the problem.

Not sure I want to be without my pistol for a few weeks, though. Maybe I'll buy some new sights and see how they fit. I can always loctite the new ones in if I have to.
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As far as you know is that "standard" for M&Ps? I am considering buying one soon but would hate to have to ship it back...
 
hold on... your factory site drifts LEFT when you shoot it?

the dove tails on the MandP ar supposed to eject to the right, so if you punched the sight out the left side, you may have bent the dove tail, opening it wider on the side thats supposed to be the snug side

I had to use a lever punch press to get mine out, and the new HI viz, worked fine, possible you have a out of spec sight as well

I have never had this, or any problem, I doubt you would have punched it out the wrong way, you have to hit it pretty hard to damage the dovetail, so most likely just out of spec part
 
xHEADSHOTx said:
Huh? :confused:

This doesn't seem to be an M&P problem, rather and aftermarket/replacement sight issue.
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That's what I am getting out of it. The stock sight goes in and out just as expected. It's the aftermarket sight that is giving me problems.

Anyways, I installed the front sight last night with a generous amount of blue Loctite. After the 24 hour cure time, I will give it a good wiggle and see if it is tight enough. If not, I'm either going to throw some red on there, or consider a different brand of sight.
 
easysauce said:
hold on... your factory site drifts LEFT when you shoot it?

the dove tails on the MandP ar supposed to eject to the right, so if you punched the sight out the left side, you may have bent the dove tail, opening it wider on the side thats supposed to be the snug side

I had to use a lever punch press to get mine out, and the new HI viz, worked fine, possible you have a out of spec sight as well

I have never had this, or any problem, I doubt you would have punched it out the wrong way, you have to hit it pretty hard to damage the dovetail, so most likely just out of spec part
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Never had the sights out of my M&P. The front sight just drifts 3/4 of the way to the left side, just during normal firing. I have to drift it right back to center after every 300 rounds or so.

I don't want to ship this otherwise awesome pistol back to S&W for a new sight, so I'll just get some new sights and try them out when I get sick of drifting my post around. :D

Any excuse to buy more gun stuff.
 
My only concern with red loctite is getting the sight out later. If I recall, red loctite will release its grip at 500deg Fahrenheit.

Anyone every removed a sight after red loctite has been applied?
 
^Yup. Shook itself loose once, now it seem to be holding. Wasn't extremely impressed with the Loctite in this application, honestly. I've used a drop as a thread locker, and minor heating was required; on the smooth front sight surfaces of my M&P it slid to the left all by it's lonesome. I have no doubt that a good whack will jar it loose again. Am I supposed to rough up a surface or something? Great pistol other than this, and Warren Tacticals in my future anyhow; love the fiberoptics on a range gun!
 
Sooo... blue Loctite doesn't hold the front sight in place. No big deal, I put my old sight back on. Of course, when I took off the new rear sight it came off a lot easier then expected, and the plunger spring went flying. Hopefully I can find it on the workshop floor.
 
Stephen1546 said:
Sooo... blue Loctite doesn't hold the front sight in place. No big deal, I put my old sight back on. Of course, when I took off the new rear sight it came off a lot easier then expected, and the plunger spring went flying. Hopefully I can find it on the workshop floor.
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If you can't find the spring PM me with your address and I'll send you one. I had the same problem and ordered 3 (only needed one so far).
 
Hum not impressed and a bit worried here. I have an M&P 9 Pro in the mail, should be getting it soon. But it looks like I have to go buy LocTite now? I thought this was an XCR issue, not S&W...
 
Nic3500 said:
Hum not impressed and a bit worried here. I have an M&P 9 Pro in the mail, should be getting it soon. But it looks like I have to go buy LocTite now? I thought this was an XCR issue, not S&W...
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Seems to really only be an issue with some aftermarket sights. I highly doubt you will have any problems with your new handgun.
 
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