IMO, you will never recoup your money. Just have a qualified smith do it and use that money elsewhere.

 

I agree with this, it just scares me to have a smith do it. I have read many times that even though someone went to a qualified smith, they end up scratching or beating things up.

I have also been gathering that the charge is about $50 to have done. I have about 4 or 5 slides I would like to do (but not need be done) so that would pay for it there. I'm not sure about friends wanting to use it but I figured I could charge a small rental fee to help offset. It is a tool though, so I don't expect it to be free.

 

I started with a wheeler and it just doesn't have the design to move all sights with ease. Went with the MGW a few years ago and never looked back. Changed out three sets of sights last night in about 10 minutes effortlessly.
All that being said, the MGW pusher is pricey and requires shoes for each different pistol you'll be using it for. Determine your frequency of use, different shoes needed and time vs cost and go from there.

 

I was leaning towards the real avid over the wheeler because of price and basically the same design but keep second guessing that and moving to the MGW.

I see a lot of people say the same as you and that's what gets me thinking about the MGW.

 

I've had a MGW, it worked fantastically well. I sold it for reasons I still don't completely understand.

These days I don't push as many sights, having moved to dots in 2020. I bought a low end one that does the job when I need to. I pad all the metal contact points with old cut-up credit cards. For $40 it's nothing fancy, and requires a lot of set up, but works ok.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H9P7HYR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Need something to get you by till you decide on what you want:

Sight Pusher

Just a heads up.

 

MGW has two versions of their universal pushers - the Pro and the Range Master. Both work well.
The Range Master is a slightly scaled down version of the Pro at $100 dollars less.
$200 vs $300
I have made a concerted effort to buy tools that I will only have to purchase once - only after wasting money on tools that did not completely fill my needs, or broke, bent, etc. (the MGW is my third and final pusher)
It hurts to by the good tools - but it only hurts one time ;-)

 

This is exactly why I research so much and ask a lot of questions and never just go buy something that is expensive (in my eyes)! I feel that if I buy something cheaper/inexpensive that I don't even plan on using much, but it breaks, I was the cost of that item closer to getting the good one. Or I'm out that much extra because I tried cheap first but ended up buying good.

 

You can’t go wrong with the MGW. And with needing to do 4 or 5 sight installs, the $$$ sounds like it’s at a break even point.

Buy quality. Buy once, cry once.

 

As one who has gone through a lot of different sight pushers over many years of pistol work, buy yourself the MGW tool. Get familiar with it before you use it and if you have any doubts about what you are doing just call MGW. They are exceptional people to deal with. A bit hard to get in touch with at times, but none-the-less great people. To the tool, get the Sight Pro. You may think you will only use it once, but sure as shooting there will be more usage in the future. Do Not borrow it out to people to use! If someone need sights changed or moved you do the work and ask for a contribution as such. One misuse of the tool and it could cost you a bunch. Bottom line it is a pricey tool, but one that will last a lifetime as long as you take care of it. Remember these words, "Buy Once-Cry Once!"

Rick H.

 

Got the Wheeler and it has been an absolute essential. Works great with pistols from 1911's ro Sigs to CZ's and even Berettas.

Amazon.com : Wheeler Engineering Armorer's Handgun Sight Tool with Heavy-Duty Construction and Reversible Assembly for Handguns, Gunsmithing and Maintenance : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Wheeler Engineering Armorer's Handgun Sight Tool with Heavy-Duty Construction and Reversible Assembly for Handguns, Gunsmithing and Maintenance : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

Cast my vote for MGW Sight Pro...Check ECP Outdoors for the best price anywhere..and, the owner, John watches over everything and is a great guy.

 

delete

 

This is for the avid

 

Tools are off budget as far as a man's toy account is concerned. Buy good quality tools. The problem with lesser quality sight pushers is they can damage things when the going gets tough, both to the tool and the gun you're working on. The choice is simple, MGW.

 

I kept thinking that it will cost me more in the long run if I damage something or the tool breaks.

 

The recommendations here and other forums were all the same.

This actually just showed up after waiting a month!

 

I have the "sight-tool.com" pusher from eBay. Has worked great for me and was very reasonably priced.