Removing Narrow Tenon Front Sight Post

[Ranger353]

I got a 1911 GI with the narrow tenon front sight post that I want to upgrade. What is the best way to remove the old sight with out damaging or scratching the slide metal?

[Backinblackrifles]

I very carefully take a rotary tool and grind the peen on the inside of the slide then take a pare of pliers and pull out the old sight post after i putt masking tape around the sight. Sombody else on here probably has a better if not easier way to do it though.

[Troublco]

That's the same way I did it, and a gunsmith buddy of mine is the one who told me to do it that way. Although for pliers, I used visegrips. I taped around the sight as well. If it's giving you fits getting it out, you could try putting the slide top down on a wood or plastic block with the sight just over the edge and (with someone holding it in place for you) use a pin punch to tap it from the inside to get it moving.