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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 04-08-2012, 01:30 PM
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Default 617 FRONT BLADE SWAP ? ?

My 617 is equipped with a Patridge front sight. In the dark port of an indoor range, or shooting in the field, it seems that I can pick up a red ramp front blade more readily with my compromised vision. Has anyone replaced a Patridge with a red ramp blade on a 617 for a similar reason ? ? Are all S&W front blades the same width, or is there a certain one that I need to order to make the swap work ? ? (a guy that I lent my micrometer to is yet to return it, so I can't measure the width of the Patridge. If anyone knows what that width is, I would appreciate that info also)
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Last edited by one eye joe; 04-08-2012 at 01:36 PM.
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:53 PM
rmack rmack is offline
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my 617 measures .125
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:05 PM
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my 617 measures .125
THANKS MUCH, rmack.....
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:06 PM
InTheWoods InTheWoods is offline
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I just did this on a 3" model 60 and it was no big deal. The widths are generally the same, so just measure the height of the front sight (above the ramp). Look at the Smith and Wesson webstore, MidwayUSA, or Brownells and pick a red ramp front sight of the same height. Shipping from Midway or Brownells will be faster than Smith and Wesson's.

You must drill a hole through the exiting holes in the base and into the base of the new front sight to mount it properly. For this I had to order the correct drill bit from Brownells. I believe there is quite a bit of information on the Gunsmithing form about this. Below is the new ramp sight on my Model 60:



I find the red ramp front sight great for the woods, but not great for target ranges if there isn't much backlight. Covered shooting points on outdoor ranges are the worst and your present sight would be best for that. A six-o'clock hold and the patridge sight is best for shooting bulleyes on target ranges. The red ramp works best for me because I have my own uncovered range and hunt with my guns a lot.
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:36 PM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
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I painted the uppermost 1/8 inch of the front sight with fluorescent orange acrylic model paint - works like a charm, fairly durable yet readilly removed if required.
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Old 04-08-2012, 03:58 PM
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I painted the uppermost 1/8 inch of the front sight with fluorescent orange acrylic model paint - works like a charm, fairly durable yet readilly removed if required.
I hear ya TSQUARED. The undercut face of the Patridge front sight is not exposed to overhead light so the paint trick (which I tried) didn't really help like it would on a ramp...
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Old 04-09-2012, 03:36 PM
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my 617 measures .125
rmack, I HATE to be a pain in the butt, but that's what forum friends are for ? ? Would you be soooo kind as to measure the height of the front Patridge blade on your 617 ? ? As InTheWoods posted, that measurement is critical when ordering. BTW, InTheWoods, that revolver looks GREAT with the RR sight. Thanks for the info.....
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Last edited by one eye joe; 04-09-2012 at 03:41 PM.
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