Colt Defender - night sight install

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spockrock

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So, a few weeks ago, I bought a brand new 9mm Colt Defender. I didn’t notice that the front night was already dead until I got it home from my FFL. I have contacted Colt and they willing to replace the sight with a new one. Thing is, they won’t mail me a new one and I’d have to send the whole gun to them for a replacement sight install with an unknown return of the gun.

I knew going in, I’d probably want to replace the front sight anyway with a high viz one or the whole set altogether, is there a reputable gunsmith in the Charlotte area that could install some replacement sights?
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't they just replace the tritium vials without removing the sights?

ETA: I know I've removed trit vials from sights with a pick to convert them to white dots. No reason you couldn't adhere in some new vials.
EETA: just saw you wanted different sights. Front sight tenon or dovetailed?
 
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spockrock said:
I knew going in, I’d probably want to replace the front sight anyway with a high viz one or the whole set altogether, is there a reputable gunsmith in the Charlotte area that could install some replacement sights?
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Are the sights dovetailed? If so, it’s really very easy to do.
 
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If the sights are dovetail you can borrow my Wheeler sight pusher. I am headed to the Charlotte area Tues. I might be able to meet you a loan it to you. When your done with it mail it back to me.
 
I’m pretty sure it’s a standard Novak cut with the rear sight and the front sight is also dove-tailed in. I haven’t picked out a new set yet, just want to know where to take it once I do.
 
Somewhere like Hyatts should be able to do it.
 
premise said:
Does he take ho-hum work? I think I inquired about something before and it seemed like he/they were more interested in building those nice looking customs.
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Not sure how small of a job he’ll do. I had him do work to one of mine in stages, the smallest of which was cutting dovetails into a slide.
 
You can send just the slide to Trijcon for a new slide. I done that twice, they were very helpful with a fast turnaround.
 
Bill said:
You can send just the slide to Trijcon for a new slide. I done that twice, they were very helpful with a fast turnaround.
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Well, I like my slide. I’d hope if I sent it to them, they’d send it back with new sights installed...heh.

In all seriousness, I’m not sure what I want exists for the Defender, a tritium dot surrounded by an orange or yellow ring with a blacked out rear that also has a ledge for one-handed slide manipulation.

My Dan Wesson Vigil has this exact set up, very nice. Too bad my Vigil hasn’t proven itself reliable yet.
 
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spockrock said:
Well, I like my slide. I’d hope if I sent it to them, they’d send it back with new sights installed...heh.

In all seriousness, I’m not sure what I want exists for the Defender, a tritium dot surrounded by an orange or yellow ring with a blacked out rear that also has a ledge for one-handed slide manipulation.

My Dan Wesson Vigil has this exact set up, very nice. Too bad my Vigil hasn’t proven itself reliable yet.
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I was very interested in a a defender a few months ago. In my reading, I seem to remember that they already Novak dimensioned dovetail cuts.

If true, that should help you narrow down your search. Instead of searching for “defender” sights, you’d be searching for Novak dovetail sights. Much bigger bucket to choose from.
 
I want to clear up my Trijicon post. What I meant to say was you can send them your slide for a new -front sight- not a new slide. Trijicon people are very helpful and efficient. Quick turn around and they archive any information about their service to your gun.
 
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