I am interested in changing the front sight insert on a 586 no dash from a patridge style to a ramp type.

Is this just a matter of removing the pin, old insert, reinsert new sight and pin or is there more to it than that.

Also are red ramp inserts readily available.

Thanks,

I notice that a previous owner has probably changed my Mod 16-4 revolver's front sight to a ramp style insert.

The pin looks like it was driven out...and reinserted...plus nobody elses 16-4 has a ramp front sight..all I've seen wear the partridge sight.

So yes..I would say it's possible...but the pin is tiny and I bet it's tight too! Might be a good task for a gunsmith

I would imagine you'll just have to shop around for an insert. However I bet one wouldn't be too hard to find.

The .278 height red insert blade I put on my 60-15 (see my recent thread in this section https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/231822-my-favorite-woods-gun-has-new-sights.html) is available directly from Smith and Wesson by simply calling them. It should fit your revolver, although the height may be different than the sight already on your gun. They may have other height red-insert blades available, but it didn't seem so in my last phone call to them. If the height is not correct for your gun, you may have to change the slide height in your rear sight.

The new front sight blades are NOT drilled for the pin, so you must do this yourself. It is not a big deal (I did mine CAREFULLY with a hand drill). The tiny drill bit needed is available from Brownell's. Details on blade installation can be found by searching in the gunsmithing section of this forum.

Another tip, that I learned on this forum, is to insert the new sight into to slot on the firearm, and while holding it steady "mark" the both sides of the sight through the hole on the firearm. Just hold the drill bit in your fingers and spin it lightly against the sides of the new sight. Then remove the sight and drill halfway through from both sides. Doing this will keep you from hogging out the hole on the gun. I picked up the bit I needed at OSH. I bought one each of a #53 and a #54 bit. Can remember which one I used (it was the smaller of the two). To drive out the existing roll pin I bought one of their 1/16 drift punches (less than $5) and lightly ground down the sides with my Dremel tool to reduce its diameter so it would drive the pin without binding in the pre-drilled hole. It only took a minute or two to grind and worked perfectly. For those who care, the red ramp sight from a 342PD is a perfect replacement for the plain black sight from the 60-14 plain black sight. It's available from S&W (about $22). P/N: 22894

Thanks to all!