Over the last 30 years I've owned a pile of S&W revolvers. They have all be wonderful. Some I have enjoyed more than others. A few years ago I bought a 21-4 NIB from a LGS. To my eye it looked like a .38 M&P on steroids. I've decided it is just about the best revolver anyone could buy for SD/HD. However, I have also decided that there are a few things that can be done to make it better.

I'm thinking of having a front sight installed that has a trijicon front sight element. I figure this would greatly enhance low-light use of the revolver. As well when the time came, replacement of the bulb would not seem to be difficult.

I'm thinking of having the cylinder milled for the use of clips. From what I can tell, this would allow me to shoot .44 Special ammo in six round clips while at the same time allow me the option of being able to shoot the revolver with plain unclipped ammo.

Finally, I like the round-butt, but I prefer a square-butt grip more. I have tried a pair of Pachmayer Presentation grips which are currently on my 625-2. I like the way the Pachmayer's feel on the 21-4. I am thinking that I will try to find someone who can make a set of nice wood grips that are shaped the same as the Pachmayer Presentation grips, i.e., with the closed back and small rather thin profile. I'm first going to look around and try to find a set of the large Pachmayer Presentation grips to see if I like that size better. Then I'll see about having the wood grips made.

I don't know if it is possible to have the rear of the frame drilled and night sights fitted. I can not see what this would not work. But, I've not seen any examples. Possible I'm thinking of something that has not been done.

Oh well... tell me what you think. Is this just foolishness? Has someone already done something like this... or maybe come up with a better idea? Sincerely. brucev.

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Some will have the opinion its foolish to do the things you've listed, and others will say go for it. I'm of the frame of mind that whatever causes you to shoot/carry/use/enjoy your guns more is worth it, end of story. Personally, I don't really care what happens to collector value, at the end of the day the gun is a tool, and tools are meant to be used.

I work part-time at my LGS and far too often some guy will wander in and look in the pistol cases, he'll see the pink guns and instantly offer his unwanted opinion about how they should never make pink guns. "Well, sir, whatever gets more women (or anyone for any reason) interested in our sport, the better!" is my typical response. Do what you want and shoot, thats what matters.

And post pictures, of course

Dear Bruce:

Enjoy your ownership as you may wish it to be. It really doesn't matter them or us or me. You earned it fair and free, so make all it wants to be.

R

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Rachel
Grande Torina

Find yourself a Thunder Ranch 22-4 in 45 ACP which takes moon clips and has the desired square-butt frame. The only mod would then be the front sight. I have both guns 21-4 and the 22-4 TRR. The 22-4 is one of the sweetest shooting handguns I've ever had the pleasure to own.

I agree that the simplest approach is the TR Model 22. As to the front sight, the glow in the dark paint from the hobby store is far cheaper than night sights, does not require permanent modification, will never burn out (you re-paint every so often), activates with a shine of a flashlight, and is, in some cases, brighter than an actual Trijicon vial. Less fragile, too.

I agree with Rachel and the others, however. It is your gun to do with as you please. Just be advised that in my experience, modifying an S&W will almost always reduce re-sale value - in some cases, very substantially.

Like putting a pool in the yard. If it's for you, and you want a pool, do it. If it's an investment, and you hope to increase the value more than the cost of the mod, then its a bad idea.

This is what happens when I've been up to many hours. I've been pastoring churches for the last 30 years. Currently I am serving four small rural churches. And, last night I guess i was doing a little dreaming out loud. I very much appreciate the very help feed-back.

The truth is I might do better to just put some of those Herrett Shooting Master grips on the 625-2. Since it already uses clips, I'd be home free for fast reloading. And the truth is, it has the very best DA and SA trigger pull I've ever used on any revolver period.

I hadn't thought about the CT grips. And... because my brain sometimes simply fails to function, I didn't even think about speed loaders. That was really foolish. The truth is, with the CT grips and speed loaders, I'd be well set with the 21-4 for what I was planning, i.e., a big bore revolver set up for SD/HD in low or even no light.

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