[JLA]

Pistols = field strip and chuck slide up in a padded vice. use a hammer and a punch to remove the sight from left to right (relative to the muzzle pointing away). The key is to completely immobilize the slide so 100% of the driving force is transmitted to the sight. and keep the punch agains the base. Reinstallation of new sights is best and most effectively accomplished with a sight pusher. Its precise and doesnt break ther expensive tritium vials inside todays night sights. Reinstall from right to left.

Rifles = Hammer and brass punch to remove and replace, drift from left to right to remove and reinstall in reverse. It also helps if you clamp the rifle into a padded vice. although rifle sights in dovetails are generally alot easier to move than pistol sights, which is why you dont need a pusher to do rifle sights.

If you do alot of high volume sight work as I do. You will need a method that is fast and effective. I modified my heavy bench vice to push sights, as well as clamp the slide for removal with a hammer and punch. I drift them off and reinstall them in one fell swoop.