Best way to adjust front sight?

jdickson397 · 07-07-2012, 11:19 PM

I recently purchased a 1923 DWM commercial model. A previous owner adjusted the front sight to the left. What is the best way to move it back to center? Tap it with a punch? Use some kind of sight adjustement tool? Take it to a gunsmith? Thanks.

alanint · 07-08-2012, 12:00 AM

Tapping it with a punch while securing the barrel in a padded vice is the best home remedy...,

policeluger · 07-08-2012, 01:00 AM

a brass punch......

alanint · 07-08-2012, 01:20 AM

Yes...If you don't have a brass punch, a cheap home remedy is to take a small punch and place an expended .22 case over it. Presto! a brass punch!

Arizona Slim · 07-08-2012, 12:41 PM

I agree, a set of brass tools is essential to home gunsmithing but on occasion a small hardwood dowel will often do the job with absolutely no chance of damage to your project.

FNorm · 07-08-2012, 12:54 PM

RE: small dowels. I've found that cheap chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant are perfect.

FN

Arizona Slim · 07-08-2012, 01:16 PM

RE: small dowels. I've found that cheap chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant are perfect.

Great idea Fred, I'll give them a try.

jdickson397 · 07-08-2012, 05:16 PM

Thanks to all for your help. I used a steel punch inside a empty 22lr case. Worded like a charm.

mrerick · 07-08-2012, 06:59 PM

I also make use of bamboo chop sticks. The bamboo has great strength, yet is much softer than metal. It's also good as a scraper and cleaner for small grooves when you sharpen one to a point.

Marc

rhuff · 07-08-2012, 07:51 PM

I mostly use a brass drift, but I also have a few hard Teflon(I think) punches that work well also. I have never tried chop sticks, but that is a great idea.

CAP Black · 07-08-2012, 10:23 PM

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it: Using Bamboo chop sticks to work on a German Luger war bring-back.

FNorm · 07-09-2012, 10:25 PM

.......... in America

jmiles13 · 08-03-2014, 03:26 PM

Question: if my Luger is shooting to the left, I should drift the front sight blade to the right, correct? Just checking..... thanks!

I was getting some nice groups from my mis-matched P08, but it shoots about 1 - 2 inches left of the bullseye at 30 - 50 feet. Not a big deal, but I'd like to tweak it if I can.

DavidJayUden · 08-03-2014, 03:31 PM

Seems like the blade on front should move to the left to move the POI to the right.
dju

Sergio Natali · 08-03-2014, 03:33 PM

Yes correct.
As far as chinese chopsicks are concerned I've been using them for years for cleaning the inside of the barrels; they are pretty strong and don't scratch the steel.

Sergio

cirelaw · 08-03-2014, 03:41 PM

Why would anyone need to adjust a luger sight at all? First of all the sight are aligned at the factory I'm sure! Why would it be needed in the first place? Maybe for windage that chages daily! Are there any other hand gun of the period with this feature? ~Eric

DavidJayUden · 08-03-2014, 04:48 PM

All guns, shotguns, rifles, handguns, need to be adjusted to shoot where you, the individual shooter, wants them. On a handgun, for instance, a large hand has the trigger finger further thru the trigger guard, causing a shift in POI. Loose grip, even different loads or bullet weights can cause a change in POI, up, down, right or left. Sometimes just 'cuz.
dju

rhuff · 08-03-2014, 05:08 PM

I own two Lugers that shot to the left. I merely moved the front sight to the left, and BINGO, POA=POI. A couple of my friends have Lugers that shoot to the left also. I think that it is pretty common.

cirelaw · 08-03-2014, 05:46 PM

Heres a video from an old friend on site adjustment ~ Eric http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoRhzqnRmK8

nukem556 · 08-03-2014, 09:56 PM

I'm glad that someone found a use for chopsticks, cause I sure can't eat with the %$@# things!

07-07-2012, 11:19 PM	#1
jdickson397 User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Best way to adjust front sight? I recently purchased a 1923 DWM commercial model. A previous owner adjusted the front sight to the left. What is the best way to move it back to center? Tap it with a punch? Use some kind of sight adjustement tool? Take it to a gunsmith? Thanks.

07-08-2012, 06:59 PM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I also make use of bamboo chop sticks. The bamboo has great strength, yet is much softer than metal. It's also good as a scraper and cleaner for small grooves when you sharpen one to a point. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-03-2014, 03:33 PM	#15
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Yes correct. As far as chinese chopsicks are concerned I've been using them for years for cleaning the inside of the barrels; they are pretty strong and don't scratch the steel. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

07-08-2012, 12:00 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Tapping it with a punch while securing the barrel in a padded vice is the best home remedy...,

07-08-2012, 01:00 AM	#3
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	a brass punch......

07-08-2012, 01:20 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Yes...If you don't have a brass punch, a cheap home remedy is to take a small punch and place an expended .22 case over it. Presto! a brass punch!

07-08-2012, 12:41 PM	#5
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	I agree, a set of brass tools is essential to home gunsmithing but on occasion a small hardwood dowel will often do the job with absolutely no chance of damage to your project.

07-08-2012, 12:54 PM	#6
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	RE: small dowels. I've found that cheap chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant are perfect. FN

07-08-2012, 01:16 PM	#7
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	RE: small dowels. I've found that cheap chopsticks from a Chinese restaurant are perfect. Great idea Fred, I'll give them a try.

07-08-2012, 05:16 PM	#8
jdickson397 User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks to all for your help. I used a steel punch inside a empty 22lr case. Worded like a charm.

07-08-2012, 07:51 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I mostly use a brass drift, but I also have a few hard Teflon(I think) punches that work well also. I have never tried chop sticks, but that is a great idea.

07-08-2012, 10:23 PM	#11
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it: Using Bamboo chop sticks to work on a German Luger war bring-back.

07-09-2012, 10:25 PM	#12
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	.......... in America

08-03-2014, 03:26 PM	#13
jmiles13 User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Question: if my Luger is shooting to the left, I should drift the front sight blade to the right, correct? Just checking..... thanks! I was getting some nice groups from my mis-matched P08, but it shoots about 1 - 2 inches left of the bullseye at 30 - 50 feet. Not a big deal, but I'd like to tweak it if I can.

08-03-2014, 03:31 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Seems like the blade on front should move to the left to move the POI to the right. dju

08-03-2014, 03:41 PM	#16
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Why would anyone need to adjust a luger sight at all? First of all the sight are aligned at the factory I'm sure! Why would it be needed in the first place? Maybe for windage that chages daily! Are there any other hand gun of the period with this feature? ~Eric

08-03-2014, 04:48 PM	#17
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	All guns, shotguns, rifles, handguns, need to be adjusted to shoot where you, the individual shooter, wants them. On a handgun, for instance, a large hand has the trigger finger further thru the trigger guard, causing a shift in POI. Loose grip, even different loads or bullet weights can cause a change in POI, up, down, right or left. Sometimes just 'cuz. dju

08-03-2014, 05:08 PM	#18
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I own two Lugers that shot to the left. I merely moved the front sight to the left, and BINGO, POA=POI. A couple of my friends have Lugers that shoot to the left also. I think that it is pretty common.

08-03-2014, 05:46 PM	#19
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Heres a video from an old friend on site adjustment ~ Eric http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoRhzqnRmK8

08-03-2014, 09:56 PM	#20
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	I'm glad that someone found a use for chopsticks, cause I sure can't eat with the %$@# things!