I have 3 S&Ws which need rear sight blades for various reasons.

One is a pre model 29 4 screw 6.5in, the second is a 27-2 6in, and the third is a 686-3 4in.

I want white outline rear sights for each. I see that S&W carries them and I found a gunsmith to install them since it can be tricky or so I've read (I never did that before).

I'm wondering which sight height is a good choice for each model. For the 686-3, its going to be 50 yds or less shooting most often. For the 27-2, perhaps out to 100 yds. For the pre 29, I may want to shoot farther, so I want that opportunity.

I'm thinking for the 44 mag, since I may attempt longer shots, so .160 ? For the 2 357s I'm thinking .146 rear white outline sights. Am I right to want those sizes? Can anyone recommend anything? What sizes would they be from the factory?

I would suggest measuring the ones currently on the gun and then determine if the existing blade is correct or needs to be a little taller or shorter.

I recently changed the blade on a 4" 29-2, it took a .146". The customer service rep at S&W will tell you what you need based on model and barrel length. There is a lot of good information on the gunsmithing forum. If you read some of it and follow the directions that are included, it's not a bad job. Be aware that the new white outline blades have qute a thin line compared to the originals.

After you find the sizes that you need, put a "WTB vintage rear W/O sight kits, list the sizes". There are those on the forum who have them. You will be much more satisfied with the older ones.

DLB

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Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27

This kind of question gets asked often enough. I wish someone who had the info, as surely it exists, would make a list or chart showing the factory blade heights for various barrel lengths.

I've seen something like that somewhere. Perhaps in Kuhnhausen's book?

Kuhnhausen's chart is good if you want to find part numbers for various sight parts but it's not set up to tell you which blade heights correspond with barrel lengths.

Here you go:

Outstanding, Bill, thank you. That should probably be posted as a "sticky" in the FAQ or Gunsmithing forum.

Bill,

Thanks for posting that great chart. For the same frame it appears, in general, that the longer the barrel the taller the sight blade . . . and that seems logical.

In the NT 38/357 frames that general rule seems to be the case. However, for the KT 38 frame it appears to be almost the opposite. A 2" shows .146", a 4" shows .106", and a 6 or 8 3/8" shows .126".

I believe the .106" entry for the 4" is a typo. Most of the blades I replace are 4" barrel KTs and I normally use a .146".

Please help set me straight.

Thanks, Russ

I didn't even think about the .106" entry, but I'm with you, it is more than likely a typo. I have never seen a .106" blade ever offered for sale.

The list, by the way, came from my armorer's books, which I got when I went to the armorer's school.

Just one thing. If you do it yourself, I recommend you do the removal and replacement with the gun inside a large clear plastic bag. To remove the old blade you must "break" the staked end from the frame, the instructions tell you how. Then you back the blade all the way out, but the teeny tiny little plunger and spring have a nasty habit of flying out to places unknown, neve to be seen again. I still have one "somewhere" within the walls of my shop.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Gents;
I have a factory S&W parts manual with a sight height chart. The .106 sight is indeed used on the model 15 and 67 with 4" barrels. I don't have scaning capability or I would have put the page in this reply.
Respectfully;
Mike

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Mike
S&WCA #2470

Mike,

A complete parts list would be a neat addition . . . especially if the blades have part numbers. If you'll mail a copy to me, I'll scan and post it. Will send you a PM with mailing address.

Thanks much,

Russ

My 29-3 10-5/8" has the .160, specifically set up for silhouette shooting out to 100 yards. I suppose it would go to 200, with elevation.

Our thanks to mmande for providing the following rear sight blade height chart. It provides essentially the same general information as the one provided by bgrafsr but with more specific model application detail . . . including part numbers.



Russ

Russ this is exactly what I came here looking for today, thanks!

Trying to get my grandfather's 15-4 in good shape again.

JP

Outstanding . . . glad we could help!

Welcome to the Forum . . . lots of great folks here. Come back often and, if you have time, share with us pictures of your grandfather's 15-4.

That's neat being able to provide care to a Smith & Wesson with a family connection.

Russ

I would like to change out the rear sight on my 4" 686-3 to a white outline. What would be the proper height? Would it be better to try to find an entire rear sight assembly with the proper dimensions, or just swap the blade? Where would it be best to look for the proper parts? What measurement do I need, or is the model number and barrel length enough?

For the proper height, just measure the one on your pistol right now. As for buying the sight itself, you can check the Smith & Wesson Store, or you can check Brownell's or Numrich Gun Parts Corp. S&W shows WO sights in .126, .146 and .160 sizes. If you can't get a measurement of your present sight for some reason, you can call S&W and ask them which one you need. And there is no need to change the whole assembly, as it's pretty easy to change out the rear sight blade.

Like COLLECTS, I have changed sight blades from what they came with to accommodate my gun, chosen load and eyesight. With my 5 inch Model 27-2, when sighted in for 125 grain JHP .357 ammo at 25 yards, the sight was cranked way up, leaving little of the threads holding it in place. I put in a taller blade which let me crank the sight body back down to where it was more secure from being bumped. I think I had to swap out the blade in my Model 25-5 4 incher to get a POA/POI at 25 yards with factory 250-255 grain lead bullet factory ammo, too.

What, if anyone knows, would be the right height to get a 28-2 to shoot poa with 125 grain 357s at 25 yd. instead of low?

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

I think this might be what you're looking for:

FAQ

Thanks Nesmith! Big help and a lot of other fine info too. Regards JD

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On the whistle draw and fire 6