Alright, have an older 19-3 snub (serial 8K65***) I received from my father, one he carried with SWAT many moons ago but hence has sat in a drawer for many years. The gun is in perfect condition and shoots like a dream, though my only desired improvement would be in the sights.

I have seen numerous rear sight options, but the front blade appears to be fixed and permanent. While I'm aware I could take it to a smith to get it grinded and add an insert sight. Though I, for obvious reasons, don't want to take that route. And with the exception of dabbing some form of paint on the ramp I can't think of anything else. Anyone have any experience or advice for improvements?

You can have a gold bead put in by a smith but all black sights rule...

I wouldn't do anything more than add a dab of orange or florescent green paint to the front sight.
Are you having trouble picking up the front sight in the rear?
Maybe an age related thing?

Pictures for visual

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Oh I hope not! I'm only 29! Haha. This pistol has spent most of its time with me on the nightstand at night, and the sights are simply hard to pickup in very low light conditions. While it still serves the purpose perfectly, I'm always looking for ways to improve.

Welcome to the Forum!

K snubs make great carry guns.

I use model paint that glows in the dark on my 64 snub. Without getting it milled and a NS dovetailed or pinned paint is probably your best option.

Besides painting the front ramp you can also swap the rear site blade for one with a white outline.

White enamel on the front sight, let it dry then add either green or orange fluorescent over that. If it was me I wouldn't permanently alter the gun.

Timely post about DIY sight inserts here:Red ramp Mod29-2

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Tony

S&W Fan's recommendation is probably the best, although it may not work so well in bright sunlight. Myself, I had a gunsmith mill a dovetail in the ramp sight so that I could use a Mepro front designed for S&W revolvers with factory plastic inserts. I also installed the Mepro rear (the whole thing came as one set). That worked well at night and in daytime, both.

OP: Welcome to the Forum! When/ If you paint it-- as stated above white, then Flo-green. I hated the orange inserts in sunlight because it would "wash out", the green is ugly but works on varied background/colors. Also when you paint it, use the minimal amount of paint that you can, so that you keep the edges crisp, otherwise you have a "blob" on the end of the barrel. I have tried painting the top half of sight only, it worked in some cases. I have used the paint Shorty 45 MK2 stated and it works well short of fresh NS. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Many years ago I hunted with a 6" Smith 29 and got my 1st 2 deer with it. The pistol was very accurate and I worked with it extensively both on the range and in forest conditions. I found the red ramp would "wash out" and become basically invisible in certain light conditions, to the point that I wound up painting the insert face black for an always-reliable sight picture.

I've since had the problem with other red-ramp Smiths, and now just won't buy one with a red ramp unless it's ultra-desirable and I'm willing to replace the front sight. I heartily regret having sold the Model 29 (in mahogany presentation case with tools, etc.) but at the time, needed a good carry gun and had decided to hunt primarily with rifles. Sure would love to have it back -- it had an action and trigger to die for!

I would recommend against any permanent mods (except maybe a professionally-installed gold bead or trijicon insert in front sight), and
paint would be my first option. You can experiment with it, and if you don't like it, change it and try another combination. Permanent mods... ouch.

Hope this helps,
John

Welcome! The photos you posted of the sights and sight picture are normal. If it is only low light visibility you want to improve, the various paint options mentioned may help. Another alternative is Crimson Trace or other brand laser grips, which don't illuminate the front sight directly but will help with sight alignment in low light, and don't require any permanent modifications.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220