Greetings gentlemen. Please don't get too upset or concerned, the cutting in question is for the greater good.

I have a couple 4" 66's my sons are shooting pretty often; they are their go to carry guns when we're at our place in Texas should they happen upon a hog, cougar or other problem.

I'm planning to replace the adjustable sights with the C&S fixed modification, but I'd much prefer the front sight either be an XS Big Dot, something with a gold bead, or conversion to the S&W pinned system or a dovetail.

Any suggestions for a smith that could take off the integral FS's and end up with one of those results?

Thanks!

Can I ask why you prefer fixed sights? The sights are typically very robust on Smith and Wessons. With that in mind, rather than cut rising value collector pieces, may I suggest new, or used, revolvers with the pinned front sight already there. That said, I'm sure that Clark's Custom or Cylinder and Slide could do whatever you wanted, but it's time and money.

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The best I can with what I got

Hard use guns we'll never sell. While the adjustable sights are reasonably durable, they still don't compare to the C&S conversion. I was recently charged by a couple hogs and it emphasized to me the importance of all our equipment being as robust as possible - I had an equipment failure and a friend luckily saw what was happening and put a Barnes 110 gr black tip through the hogs when they were 25 yards from me.

I have a some pieces that are collectible, art, etc that I'd never cut up but these 66's are living their life as shooters. Terminally I may have Clark dehorn them, recrown, etc but I don't see the sight service on their website.

If these ever get sold, I'll be cold and dead when it happens. With that said I'd bet we'll shoot them until they are shot out. We just completed a 3 day revolver class and it led to a discussion of what the highest and best use of these would be in both form and presentation and I'm at peace with them becoming more than factory.

Edited to add - hopefully I have the time, and I try not to worry much about the money spent on items we'll use in the field.

Cool. The best thing is, even if you don't use them up, I'm sure your sons will!

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The best I can with what I got

sounds like you know exactly what you want. good for you, i can't stay that focused with my revolvers as there seems to be a model that will meet my requirements without modification.

reading your post the first thing that pops in my crowded head is why not start with a fixed sight gun in the beginning. models 681/581 come to mind. you may even find someone with 1 or both that would rather have the adjustable sights. and work out a trade.


that said, keep us updated on your project with pics, lots of pics. good luck with your search. i hope it works out just like you want in the end. krs/kenny

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Too good

What you are talking about is exactly what Smith & Wesson put on the Night Guard revolvers.

The rear sight is the Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty fixed u-notch rear sight. Your top strap on those Model 66s will need to be drilled and tapped to use this sight. I do not think it is offered in the old screw spacing.

The front sight is not a BIG DOT, but it is a XS Sights® 24/7 Tritium Night sight. Most any quality Revolver Smith can remove the integral front sight, slit the barrel rib and pin a new sight in place

If you want a BIG name to do the work, Cylinder & Slide certainly fits the bill

That U notch rear sight lines up with the XS dot really fast

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"Acta non verba"

Are these the consecutive numbered pair I sold you?

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Sounds like this is what you are shooting for (pun intended) I too like fixed sight guns. Unfortunately my wife claimed this one.

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Bill

There’s a version of the Big Dot made for fixed fronts... you file down the orig to a specific profile and epoxy the new Big Dot over it. Easy for any careful home shop, I’ve seen one done by Sokol that was A+++.

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I also endorse the use of Clark Custom Guns in Princeton, Louisiana, for quality work. I live about 15 miles from their shop and have used them for years for different jobs, even when Clark Sr. was alive and their shop was in Keithville, Louisiana, many years ago. I've never had a bad experience or shoddy work from them. I proudly own a S&W Model 14 that was one of Jim Jr.'s match guns that he sold me a few months before his death in December, 2015. Good luck with your decision.

I also endorse the use of Clark Custom Guns in Princeton, Louisiana, for quality work. I live about 15 miles from their shop and have used them for years for many different jobs, even when Clark Sr. was alive and their shop was in Keithville, Louisiana, many years ago. I've never had a bad experience or shoddy work from them. I proudly own a S&W Model 14 that was one of Jim Jr.'s match guns that he sold me a few months before his death in December, 2015. Good luck with your decision.

Your front sight should already be pinned.

Can you tell us 66-?"

The older the gun the less inclined to modify it, But you need to do whatever fits your needs since it is a "ranch gun"

Miker you ROCK! My one complaint with stainless FS guns!

Yes sir. They'll ride on their sides for decades to come. Have put about 1,000 rounds through them in two classes, they are making hits consistent hits at 75 yards double action.

That is great info, thanks. I don't see these on the website for the K frame specifically at a quick glance, link?

Per Clark, these are not pinned.

66... just 66.

I hadn't intended to take these as far as we apparently will when purchased as they are sequential, but they are for my identical twin sons and didn't have boxes, had been shot, one had some minor scratches i.e. they were never going to be among the most collectible. We shoot, these will mean more to them as shooters over their lives than they would in a safe with the warm fuzzy feeling of ownership.

Not exactly. Another inch of sight radius, a little more runway, and the replacement fixed sights provide a different and preferred sight picture.

As the owner of a 72 and 76 m66 this thread is sending chills down my spine.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Personally I would not modify then in any way other than a trigger/action job, as I think the are near perfect as is.

I would buy something else that wasn't as special as two 66 no dash consecutive pair. I believe as original your sons' appreciation for them will increase over the years.

Ultimately you, and your sons, need to do what is right for you.

Pangris, yer right, sorry... I only see them for the J frame.

XS Sight Systems, Inc. - Products - J-Frames Fixed Front Sight

But I suppose it's possible they may work for K as well. You could compare your K front to a fixed J, and then judge from some of the pix in this pretty good how-to thread:

XS Glue On J-Frame Sight - Files Instead of Milling

Post #11 makes it sound like the K could have the same measurements.