Howdy,

I just purchased my first 686-4 pre lock and I am completely in love with it! It shoots like wildfire and the timing/lockup is perfect, and it looks like new.

However, someone smashed the rear w/o sight. It is crooked and dented...

I need to know if it is easy to swap out for a new one and if anyone knows where to get the part? or how much they are?

I don't know what it's called. rear leaf sight?

Thanks for your help.

Weev-

I think the little 'spanner nut' opposite the windage adjust screw is staked, but otherwise see no reason you couldn't swap out the blade.

Seems like I've seen the part listed at Numerich Arms.....but it's been awhile since I've perused their site.

You can get replacment blades from S&W, Brownells or Midway. They should come as a kit with a new screw and nut. You need to break the old nut and screw to replace the blade.

Go to this web site and to the third page and scroll
down to sight replacement. Don


The FAQs

__________________
"Don't worry be happy"

I really appreciate all the responses from you guys. I read a few other posts and think I know how to re-install a new blade, with nut/screw.

However, on my 686-4, It is a white outlined blade but what size? .160"?

MidwayUSA has 4 different sizes from .146 to .160 to 1.26"?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Weev

It varied on barrel length and type of front sight, I'm pretty sure they're measured from the top of the screw to the top of the blade.

Replacement of the rear sight leaf requires a special spanner and a staking tool, available from Midway, Brownells and probably S&W.

Removal of the existing leaf requires you to break the windage screw and so replacement requires more than just the leaf.

There are tiny springs and detents in the housing which are the parts that cause the sight to "click" when the screw is turned. I suggest you order replacement parts because they sometimes take flight when the sight blade is removed. Some users on here suggest taking the sight apart in a clear plastic bag.

Be sure you have a proper hollow ground screwdriver that EXACTLY fits the screws or you will damage the screw heads.

Other than those things, it is a snap!

Oh, I forgot to mention. S&W has bunches of rear sight leafs of different heights and dimensions. Be sure you get the correct one for your gun, barrel length, front sight height/width and load.