I'm contemplating putting a FO front sight on my newly acquired 66-8. The front sight is a little wide for my liking. I'm a big fan of blacked out rear and fiber optic front sights. It's what I use on my duty weapon.

I'm looking at the Dawson precision options but I'm new to replacing sights. I would like a thinner front sight post, but not sure on width or height option to keep it close to dialed in for my gun.

Anyone have any recommendations?

I would get a matching front and rear (brand). Maybe a Warren Tactical, 10-8, Wilson Combat, etc.

Basically what I'm saying is I would call them and see what they have to offer. I know a lot of companies have stuff that isn't listed.

Also I'm a big fan of the earlier 3" 66 FO edition and I would probably find out who made that one and go that route.

Use a .100 front fiber optic (Dawson) and a Bowen Rough Country rear sight with a .125 notch.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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I used a hiviz fo for a 686. I think the 66 and 686 are the same. Mine was. Dont remember the part#. Just the difficult part is drilling the hole on the sight. Its pinned.

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Which barrel length? It may make a difference.

I've got the 66-8 2-3/4" barrel and I didn't like the very shallow rear notch. The factory rear sight blade for this model is .106" tall. I stuck with S&W design but switched to a taller .146" blade.

For the front sight I went with the Dawson Precision .110" wide by .270" tall sight. For reference, the S&W factory front blade is .125" wide.

This gives me a much improved sight picture.

Thanks I also have the 2.75 barrel

I've gone with HiViz FO sights on my 686-6 3", the NM 66 4.25", and the latest NM 66 2.75". To dwhite, thanks for posting your info about the stock rear sight height, that's been driving me crazy for a good sight picture on the 66 snub. I have ordered the .146 rear with white outline, and hoping this gives me a better picture as it did for you.

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I installed a Dawson Precision .280 tall x .175 Ramped F/O sight Serrated. SKU #050-165. Yours may be different. Use their sight calculation tool to find the correct sight height.

Use the following punch from Brownell's (Part #080620006
.050 LONG CUP TIP PUNCH #6) to remove the front sight pin. Use the following drill bit from Amazon.com (Gyros 45-10254 Carbon Steel Wire Gauge Drill Bit No.54) and a handheld drill vise (In-tool-home Precision Pin Vise Model Hand Drill # 00787) to drill a hole in your new sight. Take it slow and oil you bit frequently. Drill from both sides. After the hole is drilled, use a pair of pointed nose tweezers to start the sight pin into the hole, then use a 1/16 Roll Pin punch to get the front sight pin started when reinstalling the sight. Use the Brownell's punch to push it in the last few taps. Also use a universal bench block to stabilize the barrel, such as a Wheeler # 60981). Put something under the grip, and use a small scope level to ensure that your frame is level when drilling the hole. When drilling the hole in the new sight, secure the sight to the frame with a clamp that has rubber tips, such as IRWINQUICK-GRIP One-Handed Mini Bar Clamp 2 Pack, 6", 1964743. That and a little patience will get the job done. Takes about 30 minutes. Good Luck !

I much prefer the .100” wide DAWSON

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I run the 1/10” on my M-66:

Protocall Design, LLC - Products

Here’s the Readers Digest condensed (and cheaper) version of lma’s instructions, assuming you have access to a drill press and some shop skills:

A T4 Torx (star drive) bit is .050 diameter and makes a cheap & handy punch.

A local Ace hardware will have the 54 drill bit.

Rubber bands make a less-obtrusive clamp for holding the new sight in place and actually hold it better, IMO. Place one on either side of the hole in the sight base and wrap them good & tight.

Fixing the gun to the DP table for drilling can be a challenge. IIRC, last time I did it, I clamped it by the barrel to a piece of plywood with a quick grip clamp and clamped the plywood to the DP table.

Once aligned, with the DP off, run the quill up & down & make sure the bit slips through the sight base hole freely to ensure you’re aligned and 90-degrees to the drill bit.

As lma said, drill halfway through each side.

I use solid pins from gun parts corp, though a roll pin should be more secure.

Now the Cliff Notes version: take gun and sight to any competent local gunsmith. Should cost about $35 to install.

DAWSON .100"

69




custom 686-4 cut to 5" with jack weygand base ( and DAWSON.100")

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I have the 66-8 with the 2.75" barrel and was wondering if anyone knows what the height is of the factory front sight? I also want to update/change the front sight to something a little more visually friendly while leaving the rear sight factory stock.