My first revolver, a 617...question about sights

[sig808]

Hi Gang,

New here and new to the revolver world. I have only been a semi auto guy but finally made the jump!

I just purchased my first revolver a 617 and love it. The only thing I don't love is the sights. After doing some searching, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has some problems with the stock sights.

I've decided to go fiber optic on the front, but my question is regarding the rear. I want a white outline rear sight. Besides the ones from S&W (midway, brownells) the only ones I could find were the ones from Clark Custom (who I'm going to send the 617 to for some work anyway) and the high end brand on Jerry's gun(can't remember the brand). Any other recommendations? Clark's website doesn't give much info on the rear white outline sight they use. So I'm going to have to call them later. But any other input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[gr7070]

Are you buying a new rear sight or a new rear blade? You can replace the rear blade on the S&W sight, for a lot cheaper. I have one order for myself.

I'm pairing the new, deeper blade with the SDM green FO front.

[campfire]

Six months ago I bought a new 10 shot 617-6 and at fifty eight, with not the best eyesight, I struggled with the patridge front sight and black rear so I got my local gunsmith to install a red ramp and white outline rear blade.
A few of the purist target shooters at our club thought I was mad but I am very pleased with the result.
This is my second model 617 and I wish I had done the same to the first gun, (a 617-1 square butt six shot with target hammer and trigger).
I lost a bit of interest in this gun after shooting it for some time because of the sights and sold it; if I had installed the red ramp and white outline maybe I would have kept it to this day.
The red ramp is the only one S&W are making and the white outline rear blade is .160” high, I believe the highest they make with the white outline. The gunsmith had to file the bottom of the red ramp to get it down to the correct elevation to correspond with the rear.
I recall that Hi-Vis make a fibre optic front site which is correct height for the 617.

SW617 - Handgun Smith & Wesson 617 model revolvers

Copy and paste from HiVis websie
$44.05
SW617 - Front sight fits S&W 617 model revolvers. Resin overmolded LitePipe, available in either red or green. Sight is not pre-drilled.
Height of sight from barrel up is .165".
Also fits J frames with the HIVIZ sight from the S&W factory (if that sight was shooting too high).
Sight is not predrilled for roll pin.


The new 617-6 is a very accurate gun and a lot of fun to shoot.
I hope you manage to install the combination that is right for you.
Here's a couple of pics to look at.
Campfire

[snubbiefan]

JMHO....but if you monkey with the sights beyond what you can easily put-on-take-off....you don't have a 617 anymore. BUT....it's just what I think and there are plenty of reasons to make your gun your own.

If it's a -1 or newer....it's drilled and tapped for a scope, aim-point, laser or some other small sighting device.

[MajorD]

fiber optic fronts are good for close up combat and speed shooting but absolutely suck for any sort of long range precision. since the model 17 series is cabable of very small groups out to 50 yards- which will suffer with a fiber optic front- you may want to try a similarly equipped gun before putting the money into it.

[BobR1]

I installed a fiber optic front sight on mine. ( The Lowest one) It was too tall for the factory rear sight. I took mine by Power Custom, and had Ron replace my rear sight with a taller one. Problem solved.

Bob

[kas9412]

Nice polish on that 617 Campfire! My 617 doesn't look nearly as good as yours...

kas