Does anyone know if Smith and Wesson installed a red front sight insert on model 13s? The gun is a 13-3 with a three inch barrel. Thanks!

I don’t think that it did, I think that S&W only offered that on models with adjustable rear sights with a ramp front sight. 6” models with target sights might get a colored bead inserted instead of the colored insert. But it was a very common modification to add to a carry gun.
Frank

Thanks Frank, I just added a picture. Looks pretty good.

It looks excellent. That is a gunfighter’s gun, great for concealed carry. I believe that the Model 13 and its stainless counterpart the Model 65 were favorites with the Feds for years.

Are you buying it?
Frank

I'm seriously considering it. Its hard to justify at the moment as i already have one and am low on funds. Maybe if its still around next week.

Where are you and how much is it? How nice is the action?
Frank

I have a 4" M13 and no red insert.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My 13-3 has no red sight either. I've never seen this on a model 13. Guess it must have been an aftermarket job. I haven't handled the gun yet but it seems logical to me that if the owner had a sight insert installed maybe he had some action work done.

That is work done by a gunsmith so one would think an action job too.

I’d think long and hard before passing that one up. The older I get, the older my eyes get, the more I appreciate that red insert.
Frank

Why didn't Smith and Wesson not come up with that idea sooner? It seems like a no brainer to me. Is there any benefit to having the front and rear sights black?

I have a red ramp installed in a Mod.10 snub. I do a lot of point shooting and in daylight the ramp is used more as a more visible point of "indexing" the gun as it stands out in the peripeheral vision.
It can also aid in faster sighted fire on a fixed sight revolver. I consider it a worthwhile modification and there are also green and yellow ones available.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I can't see any benefit in not having a more visible front sight. Seems like everyone that doesn't have one wants to put fingernail polish on it. am i missing something?

Many target shooters not only prefer black front & rear sights, but further blacken the front blade with a carbide lamp to cut down glare in bright daylight. Some find the colored insert to be very distracting. To each his own; whatever works for each individual in the type of shooting that they do.

Frank

I love red inserts, and I plan to have one added to my 4" 10-14.

It was a common modification "back in the day" to have a gunsmith cut a notch out of the front sight blade and add a plastic insert.

I have seen 58's and 10's with this added. A lot of PD's required LEO's to buy their own duty guns, and so a lot of the cops who were "gun guys" had custom work done to suit the gun better for their own use. There were also bonuses given out to guys who shot Expert and so this might have prompted some cops to make the sights more usable.

I have a 3 inch Model 13-3. I don't have a red ramp, but I'm thinking...

ECS

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Luke 22:36