Installing night sights on a Smith & Wesson M&P series pistols (M&P, M&P Compact, Shield, Shield Plus, Shield EZ, etc.) can be a challenging task due to the shallow dovetail cut in the slide. Unlike other firearms, the M&P's slide is not designed for a tight fit with standard night sights, which can lead to difficulty in installation and the potential for damaging the sights or the pistol. In this post, we will explain why this installation process is so difficult and provide a step-by-step guide for a proper installation that ensures a secure fit and prevents damage to the night sights.

The Shallow Dovetail Cut in the M&P Series Slides
The M&P series pistols are designed with a shallow dovetail cut in the slide, which can make it difficult to achieve a secure fit for standard night sights. This is because the standard night sights are designed for a tight fit in the dovetail cuts of most other firearms. When installed in the M&P slide, the standard night sights may be loose and prone to shifting, which can affect accuracy and reliability.

Custom Fitting the Dovetail Blade
To overcome the shallow dovetail cut in the M&P slide, it may be necessary to custom fit the dovetail blade of the night sights. This involves removing a very small amount of material from the bottom of the sights dovetail blade to ensure a tight fit in the M&P slide. This process should only be done by a qualified gunsmith or experienced gun enthusiast with proper tools and knowledge.

The custom fitting process is critical because removing too much material from the dovetail blade can cause the night sights to be too loose in the slide, while removing too little material may not result in a secure fit. It is essential to remove only a small amount of material and carefully test the fit after each adjustment to ensure a secure and proper fit.

Tools for Installing Night Sights on the M&P Series of Pistols
The proper tools for installing night sights on the M&P include a high-quality sight press or pusher. The use of a punch is not recommended, as it may cause damage to the sights or the pistol. The sight press or pusher should only ever make contact with the sights dovetail blade, never the upper portion of the sight that contains the tritium. Doing so may damage the sight, crack the tritium, and render it useless for nighttime illumination.

Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Night Sights on the M&P Pistols

Step 1: Prepare the Night Sights Before installation, make sure the night sights are clean and free of any debris or oil. This will ensure that they fit properly in the M&P slide and prevent damage to the tritium.

Step 2: Remove the Old Sights. To remove the old sights, use a sight pusher or press to push the old sights out of the dovetail cut in the slide. Be careful not to damage the slide or the sights during this process.

Step 3: Custom Fit the Dovetail Blade. If necessary, custom fit the dovetail blade of the night sights to ensure a tight fit in the M&P slide. This process should only be done by a qualified gunsmith or experienced gun enthusiast with proper tools and knowledge. PRO TIP - You can always remove more material, but you cannot add any back. It is absolutely critical that you remove a VERY small amount of material (start with just the finish on the bottom of the dovetail blade) and check the fit. If you need to remove more, remove a VERY small amount of material and so on until you are able to safely press the tight fitting sight into place.

Step 4: Install the Night Sights. Use a sight pusher or press to install the night sights in the dovetail cut of the M&P slide. Make sure the sights are securely in place and centered in the slide.

Step 5: Test the Fit After installation. Test the fit of the night sights to ensure they are secure and properly aligned in the M&P slide. If necessary, make any adjustments to the dovetail blade to ensure a proper and tight fit.

We STRONGLY Recommend You Have the Sights Professionally Installed!

While it is possible to install night sights on a Smith & Wesson M&P series pistol yourself, it is highly recommended to have them installed by a professional gunsmith. The reason for this is that improper installation can cause damage to the night sights and the pistol, leading to potential safety hazards and affecting accuracy and reliability.

For example, if the dovetail blade is not custom fitted correctly, the night sights may be too loose in the slide and prone to shifting. If the night sights are not installed correctly, they may not align with the barrel, affecting accuracy. In addition, if the sight press or pusher makes contact with the upper portion of the sight that contains the tritium, it may crack the tritium, rendering it useless for nighttime illumination.

Another reason to have the night sights installed by a professional is that damage caused by improper installation will void your ability to return the sights for a refund and also void the manufacturer's warranty. This can be costly and result in the need to purchase new night sights, leading to additional expenses.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to install the night sights yourself, it is highly recommended to have them installed by a professional gunsmith. This will ensure that the night sights are properly installed and functioning correctly, providing a secure and accurate shooting experience.