MGW Universal Sight Installer, Worth It?

[MandoWookie]

I have been contemplating purchasing one of these, to better enable me to avoid having to take my guns to a smith just for simple sight swaps.
Do they actually work as advertised? While I dont plan of changing things out constantly, I keep coming around to the thought that having the ability to do more things myself probably isn't a bad thing.

[Mitch]

Absolutely worth it.

[okie john]

The Glock one has saved me a lot of hassle on installations, plus time and ammo when zeroing. Center (roughly) the sights on the slide, make a witness mark with a pencil, then go from there.

Key piece of gear.


Okie John

[Clusterfrack]

I have been contemplating purchasing one of these, to better enable me to avoid having to take my guns to a smith just for simple sight swaps.
Do they actually work as advertised? While I dont plan of changing things out constantly, I keep coming around to the thought that having the ability to do more things myself probably isn't a bad thing.

Yes. Worth it. I should start charging a fee for using mine.

[beenalongtime]

Yes and No.

Let me explain. First, the old ones (not the universal, of course), that were one gun only, were about $60, and with how hard some guns were to do (PX4), I found it better to go to the gunsmith.

Now, look at what guns you have, and are considering buying. I say that because the universal one does more (1911's from memory), verses the Rangemaster, but what are your needs?

https://youtu.be/oD3PmDSReII

For the guns I have and planned on having in the immediate future, I found the Rangemaster on sale at one point for a dollar more then the Wheeler. ($129 verses $128 that I know a few people using) The Rangemaster was worth it to me. There is one video on Youtube, where the person bought the full size upper for his Rangemaster, but left no number or price. Eventually I may contact MGW to ask about that.

[1slow]

Yes.

1970s bought a 1911 front sight staking tool.

1993, bought both size , (9mm frame , .45 frame) Glock Sight Tools at class.

Bought MGW USP tool and had a part machined for not standard sights.

Bought the MGW Universal when it came out. It works on more sight heights than the MGW USP tool. Best Sight tool so far.

I do not like using impact on tritium sights.

[MandoWookie]

So the rangemaster is cheaper, but might not work for front sights on some pistols, and either way you need specific blocks for specific models of handgun.
Another question, would either work on the front sight dovetails of the 92x series?
And is the full size M&P 45 one of the guns that the front sight is to far forward for the rangmaster?

[Borderland]

I bought one but only used it a few times. I could have saved myself some money if I had bought it 10 years ago. I've destroyed a few sights by not having the proper tool to remove and install. It's a gun smiths tool and it works. I don't know for sure if it can work on everything that's out there but the design of the larger one is quite versatile. Highly recommended, but then I'm a tool junky.

[beenalongtime]

So the rangemaster is cheaper, but might not work for front sights on some pistols, and either way you need specific blocks for specific models of handgun.
Another question, would either work on the front sight dovetails of the 92x series?
And is the full size M&P 45 one of the guns that the front sight is to far forward for the rangmaster?



I will have to look at my Rangemaster and my Vertec slides tomorrow. (have to work half a day)
As for the M&P, they talk about what to look for starting around 55 seconds (length of the underlug, that allows the slide to go back. I don't know what the full size M&P is, or how long is the underlug.

[BillSWPA]

My universal tool has more than paid for itself at this point. I typed calmly get about 5 years out of the best tritium sights before I replace them, I have had strange results from one gunsmith I had install a sight previously, and I can avoid that problem by doing it myself.

I would not use this tool for an adjustable sight. The tool will not adjust low enough to push on the dovetail portion of the sight.

I have had a couple of really, really tight fitting dovetails that were beyond the abilities to this tool. I also do not like to use impact on tritium sights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beenalongtime]

So the rangemaster is cheaper, but might not work for front sights on some pistols, and either way you need specific blocks for specific models of handgun.
Another question, would either work on the front sight dovetails of the 92x series?
And is the full size M&P 45 one of the guns that the front sight is to far forward for the rangmaster?

Yes, on the Vertec slides.

[MandoWookie]

[QUOTE=beenalongtime;1279923]Yes, on the Vertec

Cool, so it should also work on the 92X, as those are essentially the same thing.

[beenalongtime]

[QUOTE=MandoWookie;1279954][QUOTE=beenalongtime;1279923]Yes, on the Vertec

Cool, so it should also work on the 92X, as those are essentially the same thing.[/QUOTE

Yes, they are both Vertec slides as are the LTT ones.
This is said to do 95% of the front sights, so I figured the other 5% going to a gunsmith later, verses more ammo when I bought it, was the better trade off for me. (2018 or 2019 don't remember)

[breakingtime91]

mine has paid for its self (got it for 120 on sale and plates cost 15) because I went through a stage of switching guns a lot. I have done probably 10+ sight changes for myself and also the same amount for other peoples guns. One of the best investments I have made for guns.

[beenalongtime]

mine has paid for its self (got it for 120 on sale and plates cost 15) because I went through a stage of switching guns a lot. I have done probably 10+ sight changes for myself and also the same amount for other peoples guns. One of the best investments I have made for guns.

You did REAL good if you got the Sight Pro for that. (better then half off $180 discount)

[breakingtime91]

You did REAL good if you got the Sight Pro for that. (better then half off $180 discount)

Just looked, I have the range master! Hah, but it has been awesome

[Super77]

Definitely worth it.

[Exiledviking]

I'm looking at both MGW sight tools. Is the extra $100 worth it for the Universal? I'm primarily looking to use it on Glock pistols and HK pistols. Might use it to push a rear sight to the correct spot on a 1911, Beretta, or CZ.

[beenalongtime]

I'm looking at both MGW sight tools. Is the extra $100 worth it for the Universal? I'm primarily looking to use it on Glock pistols and HK pistols. Might use it to push a rear sight to the correct spot on a 1911, Beretta, or CZ.


Post 5 in this thread. Designed for rear sights, the front lug on the guns is the big difference on the front sights (if you do a lot of 1911 fronts, then maybe). Watch the video.

[Exiledviking]

In case someone is looking for a deal on the MGW Compact Universal, Beretta USA has them in stock and they're running their Black Friday offers which on this sight pusher alone brought it down to $175.36 including tax and free shipping. I've got one coming. https://www.beretta.com/en-us/gun-accessories/handguns/tools/rangemaster-compact-universal-mgw-tool/

MidwayUSA appears to have the best price for the shoes and are running free shipping on order over $49.
See below for discount codes.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211108/27ec510c445429baec68522f6b6796a3.jpg

[RJ]

I'm looking at both MGW sight tools. Is the extra $100 worth it for the Universal? I'm primarily looking to use it on Glock pistols and HK pistols. Might use it to push a rear sight to the correct spot on a 1911, Beretta, or CZ.

Just wanted to piggy back on this post:

Same question, the question is what benefit the Sight-Pro offers over the Universal, for me. The difference appears to be in the "reach":

Sight-Pro $299

"The Sight-Pro has a reach of 1.750" and is suitable for slides that feature a long under-lug. "

MGW Armory Rangemaster Universal $199

"The Range Master has a reach of .750" and is suitable for most slides; if installing a front sight on a slide with a long under-lug, the Sight Pro from MGW Armory provides a further reach."


I've watched the videos from MGW. My context/use would be 1911s and Sig P365s. I don't mind spending the extra $100 for the Sight-Pro if the extra "reach" provides access front sights on guns like a 1911. Am I understanding that right?

[Doc_Glock]

I have the MGW sight tool and it is awesome.

They also make a short shifter for the Corvette that is brilliantly designed and executed. I enjoy that a lot more.

Sorry I can’t answer questions about the differences between the sight tool models, but their stuff it overall top notch.

[Exiledviking]

Just wanted to piggy back on this post:

Same question, the question is what benefit the Sight-Pro offers over the Universal, for me. The difference appears to be in the "reach":

Sight-Pro $299

"The Sight-Pro has a reach of 1.750" and is suitable for slides that feature a long under-lug. "

MGW Armory Rangemaster Universal $199

"The Range Master has a reach of .750" and is suitable for most slides; if installing a front sight on a slide with a long under-lug, the Sight Pro from MGW Armory provides a further reach."


I've watched the videos from MGW. My context/use would be 1911s and Sig P365s. I don't mind spending the extra $100 for the Sight-Pro if the extra "reach" provides access front sights on guns like a 1911. Am I understanding that right?

Yes, if you're going to replace front sights on a 1911, you'll need the Sight-Pro. I ended up having to borrow a Sight-Pro in order to replace a front sight on a 1911.

[RJ]

Just wanted to piggy back on this post:

Same question, the question is what benefit the Sight-Pro offers over the Universal, for me. The difference appears to be in the "reach":

Sight-Pro $299

"The Sight-Pro has a reach of 1.750" and is suitable for slides that feature a long under-lug. "

MGW Armory Rangemaster Universal $199

"The Range Master has a reach of .750" and is suitable for most slides; if installing a front sight on a slide with a long under-lug, the Sight Pro from MGW Armory provides a further reach."


I've watched the videos from MGW. My context/use would be 1911s and Sig P365s. I don't mind spending the extra $100 for the Sight-Pro if the extra "reach" provides access front sights on guns like a 1911. Am I understanding that right?

I got the following back from MGW after I sent them this question:


MGW Support
11:42 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

That is correct. The sight pro is definitely the one to get to use on front sights for 1911s and other tactical long slides.

George