29-2 parts

[desertdweller]

I just purchased a 29-2 with a 6 1/2" barrel and am looking for the red ramp insert on the front site.

I called Smith & Wesson and they said they won't sell me the insert and that I have to send the gun in to them for replacement at the cost of $60 plus shipping.

My question is does anybody know where I could just purchase the insert and install myself? I had a friend who had one laying around but it won't fit. He said it was off of a model 28.

Thanks, in advance, for any help in this matter,
John

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by desertdweller

I just purchased a 29-2 with a 6 1/2" barrel and am looking for the red ramp insert on the front site.

I called Smith & Wesson and they said they won't sell me the insert and that I have to send the gun in to them for replacement at the cost of $60 plus shipping.

My question is does anybody know where I could just purchase the insert and install myself? I had a friend who had one laying around but it won't fit. He said it was off of a model 28.

Thanks, in advance, for any help in this matter,
John

If you are talking about the standard red ramp, as opposed to the replaceable system they had on a special run of 29s, then I don't think it works like you are anticipating. I do not believe they simply replace the red insert with an installed part.

I think they replace the blade itself with a new blade that has the red insert in it already. I have seen some people who use a sort of molding epoxy or something (my terminology is not right here, but I cannot think of the right name), and they build a little wall around the sight pour in the colored "goop" and let it set up. How long such an arrangement will stay if you intend to do more than have your revolver look pretty in pictures is anyone's guess.

My preference is always to just let S&W do the job correctly. I think $60 is a reasonable price for that job.

[Photog]

Brownells Gunsmithing Supplies (brownells.com) sells, or used to sell, a front sight insert kit. It came in different colors, and as I remember a color that matched S&W. I worked at a gunshop and we did several of them for customers and they held up fine. It might be an inexpensive fix to try, and you can always send it to S&W later if you are not happy with the results.

[824tsv]

Hello,
I have that Brownell's "Front Sight Insert Kit". I bought it a few years ago to replace the front sight insert on my Model 27. The kit costs $61.00 plus shipping. It's fairly easy to do, but requires some finesse with a small file to smooth out the contour of the new insert after the goop hardens. The pro's of the kit is that it can be done in an evening. The con's is that the red colour is not quite the same as S&W's, and the use of a small file after. Once you do it, you can hire yourself out to others as there is enough material with different colours to do several inserts. If you send it to S&W, it will be gone for a few weeks and costs a little more. Tough choice.....

I should have added that the option of me sending it to S&W from Canada ISN'T an option as it would take months to get it back. That's why I opted for the kit. It really is easy to do yourself, hope I didn't scare you off from trying.

[ken158]

The factory presses the insert into the dovetail from plastic stock - nothing will look the same but I have seen some repo's done cut from a plastic toothbrush handle

[TAROMAN]

Probably easier to just swap in new red ramp blade.
They are available from numerous sources, including Midway and Brownell's.