I've got a model 986 and I'm replacing the rear sight with a Jpoint reflex optical sight. I have the sight and the S&W revolver mount on order. The frame is already drilled and tapped for the mounting screws required by the Jpoint's mount adapter (I can see those with the cylinder open), but in looking at the installation instructions it merely says to remove the existing rear sight without going into detail about what that entails.

It looks to me like the sight is held in place by a tab that inserts into the frame at the front, and then behind that there's an easily accessible screw that functions as a set screw.

But I don't see anything else securing the sight to the frame. Is there another tab at the rear that fits into a hidden slot in the frame at the end of the top strap? I can't imagine the elevation adjustment screw is also used to secure the sight to the frame, but I've wrong about this kind of thing before.

Anything else I need to look out for? Are there little springs under the sight there just waiting to escape and never to be seen by human eyes again or something like that?

Any assistance appreciated.

With the correct size screwdriver, carefully remove the small screw in the tang near the front of the sight body. The entire assy will then slip out, front to back.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Roger correct screwdriver.

Thanks! This forum is great.

After you remove that small screw at the front of the tang, it will be loose, but will need to be slid backward. The elevation screw goes into a "T" bolt that fits into a "T" slot in the frame. Just slide it backward and it should slip right out. Keep it all (inc. the small screw from the front of the tang) in a secure plastic bag, properly marked just what handgun it came off of. (So 15 years from now it can be restored to original and when you find this bag with the sight someone will know where it goes).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244