Sights are one of the first aftermarket accessories that you will probably switch on your gun. Although the factory sights may work just fine, you can easily switch for better. We show you how to replace the sights on your CZ P01 pistol.
Why to replace factory sights
Depending on your CZ P01 model (there are few CZ P01 models), you will get from factory either luminescent steel or aluminium sights.
They are great quality but once you know it can get better, you cannot unknown it back.
Now once you realize you want to improve the sights, there are three options to go:
- switch solely the front sight,
- switch complete sight set, or
- switch rear sight for red dot mount.
Whichever you will decide to go, you will need to replace the factory sights.
In case of installing red dot mount, the steps are similar as when replacing the rear sight.
How to replace the front fight
CZ P-01 uses the front sight that is secured by pin underneath the front sight so we will have to remove that first before the replacement takes place.
Needed tools
- a place to hold the slide tight – ideally vise,
- 2mm punch,
- hammer,
- plastic rod,
- wire brush.
Step by step guide
- Demount the pistol so that you have solely the slide.
CZ P-01 Slide - Place the slide into firm position, ideally into vise with some cover to not scratch the slide.
- From side knock out the front sight pin with the punch that holds the front sight in its position.
- With plastic rod knock out the front sight out. Do not hammer directly to the front sight nor with metal punch, you would risk damaging the front sight or the slide.
CZ P01 Front Sight Replacement - Clean the dovetail of the front sight with wire brush.
- Insert the new front sight in.
- Knock the new front sight in again by using plastic rod inbetween the hammer and the front sight. Make sur ethe front sight is fully in.
CZ P01 Front Sight Installation - Use 2mm drill bit to drill the front sight from the front sight pin channel. Make sure to drill with the right rotation, i.e. the drill rotates to the direction of rear sight. Otherwise the front sight could move out of the dovetail.
CZ P-01 Front Sight Pin Drilling - Get the front sight pin inside of the front sight pin channel below the front sight. Use the 2mm pusher to knock it in.
- Once the pin is back in, your front sight is secured in its position and ready to be used
Please note that the front sight is usually predrilled from the bottom but it is only pre-drilled, not fully drilled. And thus you need to drill the final position of the hole by yourself once the front sight is fully in. Otherwise the front sight pin will not be able to get in.
How to replace the rear sight
If you are equipped with the rear sight tool to push the old rear sight out and new rear sight in, you have the job easier.
This guide will be for such CZ P-01 owners that do not own sight pusher and thus will have to replace the rear sight with more basic tools, such as hammer and plastic rod.
Needed tools
- 1.5mm hex key,
- place to hold the slide tight – ideally vise,
- hammer,
- plastic rod,
- wire brush.
Step by step guide
*Tip: Before removing the rear sight, make a short line on the dovetail at the spot where the original rear sight was centered. So that when knocking in the new rear sight you will know where to position it exactly.*
- Demount the pistol so that you have solely the slide.
CZ P-01 Slide - Place the slide into firm position, ideally into vise with some cover to not scratch the slide.
- Loosen the screws holding the rear sight in its position by the 1.5mm hex key.
- Remove the screws completely to make sure they do not interfere with the groove anymore.
- Usually the ideal way to knock the old rear sight out is from right to left from the position of shooter.
- Start knocking the rear sight out with the plastic rod inbetween the hammer and the rear sight. Make sure you place the rod in the place where the rear sight is in the groove. Otherwise you would risk that you will stuck the rear sight in the groove.
- Knock the rear sight out and remove it from the dovetail.
CZ P01 Rear Sight Replacement - Clean the dovetail of the rear sight with wire brush.
- Remove the fixation screw of the rear sight before putting the new rear sight in
- Place the new rear sight into the dovetail in straight position to avoid the rear sight getting stuck when knocking in.
- Knock the new rear sight in with hammer and the plastic rod as inbetween material. Make sure to place the rod in the position of the dovetail so that the pressure goes into the right direction.
- Once knocked in the correct position, lock the rear sight in and the replacement is complete.
Video manual