Meprolights for 686

[Phillies]

I have a 686P that currently has a hiviz front sight and stock rear sights. I have been wanting to replace the stock rear sights and I came across some Meprolights that are designed for the 686. I've never seen or heard of them before now. Does anyone have them ? Good, bad ?

[Phillies]

Anyone ? I guess night sights on a 686 isn't too popular ?

[ultratec00]

Are you referring to the Meprolight revolver night sights/tritium? If so, I have them on several revolvers, both N and L frame. Note there are two different types of front sight. One requires modifying an existing red ramp sight to accommodate the other is a replacement for the entire front sight and needs installed. The two are not the same when it comes to overall height and will impact the POI for elevation.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by ultratec00

Are you referring to the Meprolight revolver night sights/tritium? If so, I have them on several revolvers, both N and L frame. Note there are two different types of front sight. One requires modifying an existing red ramp sight to accommodate the other is a replacement for the entire front sight and needs installed. The two are not the same when it comes to overall height and will impact the POI for elevation.

Yes, those are the sights I am referring too. Do you like them or have any issues with them ? I previously replaced the front sight with a hiviz sight. So I would need to get the the staked front sight version. I was concerned that my aim might be too high with no way to correct it based on some reviews I've read.

[snowman]

Originally Posted by Phillies

I have a 686P that currently has a hiviz front sight and stock rear sights. I have been wanting to replace the stock rear sights and I came across some Meprolights that are designed for the 686. I've never seen or heard of them before now. Does anyone have them ? Good, bad ?

Sir,

I have them; they work well as long as they last. I've had mine for around 15 years, and the front one is now fading. This is just the nature of tritium(the stuff that glows) as I understand things. It slowly loses brightness after a certain number of years. Eventually it can't be seen well enough and has to be replaced.

I've had no problem with the height adjustment, which, as is always the case, somewhat dependent on the load you use. I use the 125gr JHP on top of a full charge of magnum powder, so it prints lower on the target than a medium velocity load or slower. Consequently I needed to raise the rear sight to make POA and POI match, at the distance I would be shooting(around 20 feet).

Hope this is somewhat helpful to you.

Regards,
Andy

[Phillies]

Ok, that helps. Thanks. My main concern shooting too high and not being able to lower the rear sight enough. Some reviews mentioned that. I'm not sure if I even have the original front sight to work with, but do you recommend one front sight over the other ? I like my Hiviz sight, but the bottom half the of sight is covered by the stock rear sights and I've been finding that a little annoying of late...

[snowman]

Phillies,

I can understand your concern and am not certain what to tell you. I just had my 686-6Plus out and tried to eyeball the difference in elevation between the Meprolight dots(both front and rear) and the old stock sights, which I tried to visualize since they are no longer on the gun. It appears to me that both front and rear dots sit slightly higher on their mounts than the stock arrangement. If I'm correct on that, the change to the Meprolights made no difference other than to raise the entire sight plane. The result then would be no problem with the rear sight bottoming out, unless you were using a low velocity round. It seems to me to depend on two factors: the distance you will be shooting, and the velocity of the round.

I've included some pictures below of the front Meprolight insert on a 686-4Plus, which is mounted in a front sight ramp I believe to be integral with the barrel.(My 686-6Plus has a pinned ramp, which could probably could be replaced with a taller ramp to permit lower hits on the target.)

I've never had a gun with Hiviz, so I can't speak with any authority on how those compare.

Andy

[colt_saa]

I have had tritium 3 dot sights on my 627 for almost 19 years.

Since teh 627 uses Smith & Wessons IFS, my front sight is an SDM with a Trijicon lamp in it.

I have been lazy and need to get them relamped.

Since you are going to change out the front sight anyway, you could use anyones front sight.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by snowman

Phillies,

I can understand your concern and am not certain what to tell you. I just had my 686-6Plus out and tried to eyeball the difference in elevation between the Meprolight dots(both front and rear) and the old stock sights, which I tried to visualize since they are no longer on the gun. It appears to me that both front and rear dots sit slightly higher on their mounts than the stock arrangement. If I'm correct on that, the change to the Meprolights made no difference other than to raise the entire sight plane. The result then would be no problem with the rear sight bottoming out, unless you were using a low velocity round. It seems to me to depend on two factors: the distance you will be shooting, and the velocity of the round.

I've included some pictures below of the front Meprolight insert on a 686-4Plus, which is mounted in a front sight ramp I believe to be integral with the barrel.(My 686-6Plus has a pinned ramp, which could probably could be replaced with a taller ramp to permit lower hits on the target.)

I've never had a gun with Hiviz, so I can't speak with any authority on how those compare.

Andy

Thanks for your pics. I appreciate it. While I would need the pinned front sight based on having a Hiviz sight now, it does seem like going your route would equal a higher front sight which might be better. I'll see if I can find my original fronr sight base or maybe I can order a new one cheaply ?

EDIT:

Come to think of it. I'm sure the pinned front sight version will be fine. Probably a waste of money to have to go out and buy a factory front sight base so I could use the other version that you have.

[BB57]

I have them on both a 2 1/2" and a 3" 686+.



There are however two different types of front sight, depending on whether your 686 has a pinned blade front sight or a fixed ramp with an orange insert.

IMHO, the insert is less desirable for concealed carry as it is higher profile and snags - but you are limited to what will fit your front sight.

The pinned variety front sight is fairly easy to install. You just drive the pin out of your old front sight and remove the blade. The insert the new front sight in the base and drill the hole for the pin, using the existing holes in the sight base. If you have a drill press and appropriate clamps, you can align the sight revolver and base with the bit in the press, then insert the new blade and drill it. Alternatively you can hand drill the hole. However if you do that drill it half way through from one side and then half way through from the other side. That minimizes any alignment error and ensures the entry and exit holes match and things don't get off line on one side or the other.

Installing the rear sigh involved removing the old sight adjustment screw which is peened in place. That's probably the most difficult bit as it involves removing metal on the screw without dinging the sight base. Once it's out you remove the old blade, insert the new blade and screw and peen the end of that screw. In short, the rear sight is more difficult and will require suitable tools. You might want to have a gunsmith install it, if the required skills are not in your wheel house.

[gr7070]

Unless I misunderstand you're talking about using tritium rear with NON-tritium front?

That makes no sense whatsoever.

Edit:
For day shooting the hiviz style front and all black rear is probably the best option.

Vision problems might change this. However, tritium rear during the day will do nothing.

For night there's tritium (front and rear) or laser.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by gr7070

Unless I misunderstand you're talking about using tritium rear with NON-tritium front?

That makes no sense whatsoever.

Edit:
For day shooting the hiviz style front and all black rear is probably the best option.

Vision problems might change this. However, tritium rear during the day will do nothing.

For night there's tritium (front and rear) or laser.

My current set up is a Hiviz front sight and stock rear. I was looking at replacing both with meprolights. My reasons for doing so were A, the bottom of the front sight is hidden under the rear sights. And B, after shooting for awhile the elevation screw gets loose and my elevation starts to creep...

[gr7070]

Originally Posted by Phillies

My current set up is a Hiviz front sight and stock rear. I was looking at replacing both with meprolights. My reasons for doing so were A, the bottom of the front sight is hidden under the rear sights. And B, after shooting for awhile the elevation screw gets loose and my elevation starts to creep...

What problem do you want to solve? Night shooting or day? Focus on that solution.

If day shooting don't waste your money on tritium.

For day, the best option (for typical vision) is fiber front, all black rear notch.

It sounds like you want to shoot during day, but your front and or rear sights are poorly matched.

Changing out a rear blade is really, really easy. Easier than drilling a new front. There are videos online.

Measure the front sight height. Call S&W to find out what rear blade you should have. I'd also part that info on this forum under a new thread titled to indicate you need help with sight heights. Others hear will know exactly what you heights you need. You might need to replace front and rear blade both.

I did exactly that when I drilled a new front fiber sight for my 686 and replaced the rear blade.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by gr7070

If day shooting don't waste your money on tritium.

For day, the best option (for typical vision) is fiber front, all black rear notch.

It sounds like you want to shoot during day, but your front and or rear sights are poorly matched.

Changing out a rear blade is really, really easy. Easier than drilling a new front. There are videos online.

My front and rear sights are poorly matched for me. You summed it up pretty well.

[gr7070]

The front sounds like it's too low. I'm not sure if that can be easily fixed replacing the rear. You might need to replace the front, which mentioned above isn't too difficult.

I have green SDMs on all my competition revolvers. I had to change out my rear blade on my 617 for a taller blade because the new front fiber was taller. If I recall correctly I changed out my other rear blades only to have all black (no white outline) no height change was needed.

See the below for sight height discussion, too. Call SDM, S&W and post hear for that help. People can definitely see you up with the correct items.

I dislike HiViz brand, fwtw.

Super Sights

[gr7070]

BTW if you buy a rear blade with the white outline from S&W you can install it backwards for an all black.

[gr7070]

The only negative to the SDMs is they're a hair wide for optimized speed shooting. Extremely minor complaint. They still work great and I haven't bothered to pursue a more narrow front replacement.

[gr7070]

One last item. If replacing the front, ignore the current height of the front HiViz.

You want to replace the original front (S&W red ramp?) sight's height. Especially so if the rear sight is original. There is no need to replace to original rear blade if you put the correct front height on.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by gr7070

The front sounds like it's too low. I'm not sure if that can be easily fixed replacing the rear. You might need to replace the front, which mentioned above isn't too difficult.

I have green SDMs on all my competition revolvers. I had to change out my rear blade on my 617 for a taller blade because the new front fiber was taller. If I recall correctly I changed out my other rear blades only to have all black (no white outline) no height change was needed.

See the below for sight height discussion, too. Call SDM, S&W and post hear for that help. People can definitely see you up with the correct items.

I dislike HiViz brand, fwtw.

Super Sights

I think I'm going to try one of thsie front sights. Not expensive so why not give it a try. It comes on 2 heights, 2.5 and 3.0. My hiviz is 2.5 so I guess I can give the 3.0 a shot and see how it goes...

[jh9]

Originally Posted by Phillies

My current set up is a Hiviz front sight and stock rear. I was looking at replacing both with meprolights. My reasons for doing so were A, the bottom of the front sight is hidden under the rear sights. And B, after shooting for awhile the elevation screw gets loose and my elevation starts to creep...

Meprolights are an option that's been covered. So is Dawson.

If you have a 4" 686 with a pinned front sight, Dawson Precision will make a .125" W .230" T replacement that works with the factory rear.

If you want to replace the factory rear as well since the elevation screw is part of the body, Bowen Classic Arms will sell a much more robust complete rear sight. For the 4" 686 you'll want the .400" height.

This is the combination I have on my 4" 686+ and the rear sight only required a couple clicks to properly zero.


Rough Country Sight with Target-style Blade [RCSWST] - $119.95 : + Bowen Classic Arms +, Parts Store

Dawson Precision S&W Pinned Tritium Front Sights - Dawson Precision, Inc.

The white circle of the front sight bottoms out at the bottom of the notch, and the topmost section of the white circle is even with the top of rear sight notch. It is not buried like the HiViz green fiber front sight on another 686 I have using the factory rear sight.

Dawson will also make a fiber optic sight to the same height and width dimensions.

[Phillies]

Originally Posted by jh9

Meprolights are an option that's been covered. So is Dawson.

If you have a 4" 686 with a pinned front sight, Dawson Precision will make a .125" W .230" T replacement that works with the factory rear.

If you want to replace the factory rear as well since the elevation screw is part of the body, Bowen Classic Arms will sell a much more robust complete rear sight. For the 4" 686 you'll want the .400" height.

This is the combination I have on my 4" 686+ and the rear sight only required a couple clicks to properly zero.


Rough Country Sight with Target-style Blade [RCSWST] - $119.95 : + Bowen Classic Arms +, Parts Store

Dawson Precision S&W Pinned Tritium Front Sights - Dawson Precision, Inc.

The white circle of the front sight bottoms out at the bottom of the notch, and the topmost section of the white circle is even with the top of rear sight notch. It is not buried like the HiViz green fiber front sight on another 686 I have using the factory rear sight.

Dawson will also make a fiber optic sight to the same height and width dimensions.

I do indeed have a 4 inch 686. I was on the website for Dawsom earlier, but i had no clue what measuremeets. Thanks ! Do you have a serrated or partridge sight on yours ?

[jh9]

Originally Posted by Phillies

I do indeed have a 4 inch 686. I was on the website for Dawsom earlier, but i had no clue what measuremeets. Thanks ! Do you have a serrated or partridge sight on yours ?

The tritium front sights are not serrated, though they may show up that way in the catalog. I believe it's only the fiber optic sights that have a serrated face.

You have to call to order tritium. They'll take your order over the phone and quote you 6-8 weeks. In my case it was almost exactly 8 weeks later that I got an email with the invoice attached. I paid using my phone's mobile browser and the sight showed up about a week later.

They don't have to send the fiber sights out to a 3rd party to have the tritium installed. So if you don't care about low light visibility the Dawson fiber sight using the same dimensions I gave above will ship faster and be a bit less expensive.

[Phillies]

The fiber optic sight will be just fine for me. If I got the square notch rear sight, would the save dimensions apply I assume ?

[PatriotX]

Here’s the sight pic on an L-frame with both. This is a M69