The reply has been edited . The Ruger mark II pistols I have are both instaledl from the left , the sight blade is even cut / ground at a taper on the right side before bluing from the factory . have had a few that were very stubborn to get moving . Non Marring punches are a must.

 

I have read over the years , remove from the right install from the left as viewed from the shooting position . have had a few that were very stubborn to get moving . Non Marring punches are a must.

Sorry, no disrespect meant.
Industry standard is install from the right pushing to the left. Back out the opposite as it went in.

 

I removed one from a MK IV Lite once to install a dovetail red dot mount. I hit it so hard with a big hammer and brass punch that it made me nervous, but it still wouldn’t budge. I ended up taking a hacksaw blade and cutting it before it would drive out. The kerf created by the saw blade created enough give to drive it out easily without cutting all the way through. I don’t think they fit the dovetails at the Ruger factory. They must force them in with a press or something. They are in there tight.

 

Hawkeye57 Thank you for the correction my mistake .

 

Use an industrial strength sight pusher….I have a Wheeler.

 

My experience with sight removal has run the gamut:

1) 10/22 factory rear sight - tapped out easily with a delrin punch

2) 10/22 front sight - had to saw it almost in half to get it out

3) Glock plastic rear sight - turned it into a squished up hunk of gunk punching it out with delrin punch

4) Aftermarket rear sight on an AA Conversion slide - Went in super easy so had wicked in a little green wicking loctite (which is supposed to be about as strong as blue). WOULD NOT COME OUT. Had to carefully heat the slide to break down the loctite

I've never done a ruger pistol but wonder if applying some heat to the tube might help a bit. Hopefully it would expand the dovetail more than the actual metal sight expands and make it a little easier to get out.

 

It has been years since I removed mine. I seem to remember a tiny set screw that needs to be loosened then drift from right to left as already advised. Not certain about the screw but it's easy to overlook.

 

Current production has 2 set screws. Older sights, before about 2017, there was a single screw as you mentioned.

 

Use a brass punch, or if possible a strong piece of wood.

 

Loosen set screws and remove from left to right! They can be hard to get started off use a brass punch so you don’t mar the sight I also put duck tape on sight to protect it