great news for cw/cm owners!

[cobrasjp]

by any chance did u ask if one could juyst buy the front xs sight???

I didn't ask, but I would assume you can. In the past I've bought just the Big Dot front side directly from XS Sights after I messed up the one that came with the front/rear set.

[cobrasjp]

Just ordered the Big Dot set for my CW9.
I'll let you know what the installation was like after I get them.

I know somebody already posted pics of their CW/CM with the Big Dot sights installed, but I thought some people may want to see what they look like uninstalled.

The sights were delivered by Fed Ex yesterday. This is quick delivery since I only ordered them on the afternoon of the 12th.

The factory front sight is easily removed by grabbing it with pliers and twisting it off, being careful not to scratch the slide. Under the front sight are two chamfered holes.



The Big Dot front sight has two posts. The front post is hollow and is a very light press fit in the front hole of the slide. The rear post is threaded for the small flat-head screw that holds the sight on the slide. Here's a picture of the front sight with the small screw threaded into the rear post.



The Big Dot front sight fits snugly on the slide and does not move even before the screw is installed. A light tap with a small plastic-tip hammer is all that's needed to seat it. The screw is installed and tightened and that's it for the front sight. I used the supplied threadlocker on the screw and also between the sight base and the slide.

Here's a picture of the Big Dot front sight in place. I forgot to take a picture of the underside where the screw is installed:



I pressed out the factory rear sight using the PI 500 sight tool that I modified slightly. The sight tool originally came with a plastic movable bar that clamps the slide in the tool. I replaced it with a metal one that I made in my shop. It clamps the sides of the slide very tightly and works great on straight-sided slides like the Kahr. I also lined it with Delrin so it won't leave marks on the slide. I've found that the worst problem with using this sight tool is the slide twisting in the tool. The metal clamping bar solves most of this problem. I also use a thin piece of wood (part of a wooden ruler) on top of the slide with a small C-clamp to clamp the slide in the bottom of the tool. With these two modifications, the sight tool works really well. Here's a picture of the slide clamped in the tool ready to press out the rear sight.



The factory rear sight pressed out easily. The XS rear sight slid into the dovetail with no filing required. The two set screws were tightened and the sight installation was finished. I'll locktite the set screws once I have it sighted in. Start to end took about 20 minutes, most of it getting the sight tool adjusted.

Here's a picture of the slide with the new sights.



I hope this is helpful for those wishing to install their own Big Dots on the CW/CM series.

[Tinman507]

Awesome post! Thanks.
More convinced than ever to change my Trijicons out.

[gb6491]

Awesome post! Thanks.
....

I agree "Awesome" job on that cobrasjp!!
Regards,
Greg

[ajholt7]

Are these the ones that say gunsmithing required on their website?

[jocko]

I guess what this fella did must fall under "gunsmithing required". It is not rocket science. If I owned a cm or cw series, I think I would just install the front big dot and leave the reat alone, ur gonna see that front big ass dot befor eu ever see that little glow line back sight.

[cobrasjp]

Are these the ones that say gunsmithing required on their website?

I don't think so. I think their website is referring to the front sights that require cutting a dovetail slot on the front of the CW/CM slide. I think the front sight that I put on replaces that one.

And I can't imagine the new post-mounted front sight like I just installed would possibly require a gunsmith. It was extremely easy to install. Took all of 5 minutes and no special tools or skills. The rear sight is the usual dovetail type installation that can either be really difficult or really easy, depending on how tight the factory sight is, what tools you have, and how skilled you are with hands-on type work.

[PYROhafe]

So If I have a smith install the rear for me (cause I dont have a pusher) would they be able to be sure its zero'ed before I get it back?

[jocko]

well it will get close, every shooter shoots, holds differently. wy not just buy the set and install the front sight and give it a try, u might ust surprise ur self. I a shtf sitation ur not gonna see that back sight and at best u might see the front sight, train towards seeing the front sight clearly and u will find the back sight coming up in perfect alignment instinctively. POA shootin at 7 yards IMO is the way to train and especialy witht eh big dot. u can get good, u can get fast. Nicethingabouthe big dot for me andmy old tired eyes is that in daylight it looks great, I don't haveto go huntin for that front sight.It justr grabs ur eyeballs. Ur call but I would not do a damnthing to that back sight...