I recently picked up a used 6" 686-5. The previous owner had dropped it and the front sight is a little dinged up but I think that I can live with it or possibly clean it up a little. Unfortunately the rear sight blade is pretty banged up. I'd like to replace the blade but I'm seeing 3 different heights (.126, .146, and .160). I don't have calipers or a micrometer and I don't think I'll be able to measure accurately with a tape measure. Does anyone know what the proper rear sight blade height for a 686-5 with a 6" barrel would be? I did a site search and made it to page 11 without finding an answer. Thanks in advance

Check out forum thread...Sight blade help - .126 .146 .160 - which height for which model / purpose?
There is some good information there. It more likely will be a .146 for a 6" barrel. But I would look for a vintage one as is suggested on the thread.
Entry #16 has many other models available, but not a 686 6"
Measuring a sight on the gun is too hard to be accurate.

Thanks, and I think you're right. I looked at the chart and both the 6" Model 19 and 6" Model 27 call for the .146 so I think that's what I'll go with.

I'd take the gun/rear sight somewhere to have it measured. My 686-0, 2-1/2" bbl. has a .146" rear & my 686-6 Plus, 5" bbl., has a .196" factory rear sight blade. At a minimum call S&W & give them the details & see what size they say.

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