Adjusting the front sight...can I do it at the range?

[Cybersnow]

I had a gunsmith install a new XS small dot front sight and it is shooting about a foot to the right at 25'.  He used this kind of vice device to install it, but it needs to be moved to the left.  What tools do I need and can I do this at the range while sighting it in?

[ProtectTheSecond]

The general rule is the rear sight is moved in the SAME direction you wish to move the point of impact. For example, if the point of impact is LEFT and BELOW the target, and you wish to move the point of impact to the center, then move the rear sight RIGHT and UP. The front sight moves the opposite direction, so it would move LEFT and DOWN.

To move the line of sight DOWN (the shot hit BELOW the point of aim) the REAR sight is RAISED or the FRONT sight is LOWERED. To move the line of sight UP (the shot hit ABOVE the point of aim) the REAR sight is LOWERED or the FRONT sight is RAISED. (Example below) To move the line of sight LEFT (the shot hit LEFT of the point of aim) the REAR sight is moved RIGHT, or the FRONT sight is moved LEFT. To move the line of sight RIGHT (the shot hit RIGHT of the point of aim) the REAR sight is moved LEFT, or the FRONT sight is moved RIGHT.

[Cybersnow]

Since the new front sight is not centered in the slide and not over the center of the barrel, I think I need to center it first, before adjusting the rear sight.  Sorry, didn't mention that before.   In fact, before going to a smaller (actually the standard) dot sight, the gun was shooting dead on at 15 and 25 yards, 

Can I adjust by putting the slide in a vice(protected) and using a brass or copper drift pin and hammer?

[C. Andrew Dunning]

Can I adjust by putting the slide in a vice(protected) and using a brass or copper drift pin and hammer?

My 2? after going down this road, myself, "Pre-Rami:"  The general adjustment concept made perfect sense to me so I bought a sight drifter, thinking I could do this myself.  For less than the drifter cost me, I ultimately ended up paying a gunsmith to make the adjustments, and am loving the results.  Now, my new Rami needed serious attention in the "sight" department.  I didn't even try messing with it, myself.  Straight to the same gunsmith.  Again, loving the results.  You might be far more competent than I when it comes to adjusting sights, but, for me, I'll call this a $70 lesson...

[1SOW]

Have you gone back to your gunsmith and asked him to zero his sight install?
There is a formula for how much a sight has to be moved,  given the knows: exact distance between sights and exact distance the point of impact needs to be moved to the left and at what distance this was shot.  If it was a foot off,  what was the distance to the target,  50 yrds?  We're you testing it using a rest?  Questions the Smith will ask.

[xcentrk]

Personally, I would invest in a sight pusher if you plan on ever changing out sight again. I have a middle of the road priced pusher and have done 6 or 7 installs on my pistols so far (I love the TFX-Pros!), and have lent it out to guys in my local club probably as many times as well. We have done a complete sight swap on the tailgate of my truck at the range while waiting for a point to open up, only takes 5 or so minutes. My first two swaps were with a hammer and punch which took probably 10x longer. Payed for itself in time savings alone on my first install with it. I actually just installed the Meprolight sights on my RAMI last weekend, no issues at all with the below pusher and the RAMI.

I use this one from ebay ( https://www.ebay.com/p/Handgun-Sight-Pusher-Tool-Universal-for-1911-Glock-Sig-Springfield-and-Others/1254021922?iid=151944507684 ) along with a cheap set of digital calipers ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-inch-150mm-Digital-Electronic-LCD-Steel-Stainless-Ruler-Gauge-Caliper-/182181535606?hash=item2a6add9f76:g:gZkAAOSw3ydVjuch ) to get the sights perfectly centered, and have been pretty happy each time.