Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-04-2009, 09:39 AM
kpmtns kpmtns is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Meprolight front sight question

Can anyone post a picture of a front meprolight sight? I'm thinking of getting a set for a 686-5, and am wondering how the front sight is set up. In doing a search, a post implied that just the red ramp portion of the front blade would be replaced, but that doesn't seem right; I would think that the whole blade would be replaced. Also, does the set come with a complete replacement rear sight assembly, or is it just the rear blade? Thanks!
__________________
Kevin
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-04-2009, 09:47 AM
ladder13 ladder13 is online now
Member
Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,690
Likes: 57,542
Liked 52,812 Times in 16,465 Posts
Default

I don't have pictures of my 696, but yes, the rear sight is blade only and the red insert was removed and replaced with the dot sight, not the whole blade.
BTW, I am thinking of converting my sights back to stock as the rear sight is faded on 1 side. Finding the red insert is difficult,so I'll leave the front sight as is, and either use a Millett, or go factory for the rear sight.
__________________
GOA/SAF

Last edited by ladder13; 09-05-2009 at 12:36 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-04-2009, 11:44 AM
kpmtns kpmtns is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Is the front part glued in? I was hoping that the whole assumbly for the rear was included to make it easy to install.
__________________
Kevin
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-04-2009, 01:20 PM
Spotteddog Spotteddog is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 0
Liked 30 Times in 24 Posts
Default

If this link goes through as pictured, it should answer your questions as to how the sight set is configured? The front red ramp replacement insert I have held in place on better than a dozen installations of this set up, by using Loctite's bearing and sleeve retainer formula. All the sets I have currently, are 13 Y/O and are just now getting to the point of needing replacement.

MeproLightNightSights.com: Meprolight Tru-Dot Sights, 22770, Fits S&W K/L/N, Green

(EDIT) You'll have to click on the images of the sight set to enlarge them...
FWIW, They cost about 40% less than they did originally @ this price with a 13+ year life, a bargain!

Last edited by Spotteddog; 09-04-2009 at 01:24 PM. Reason: Add info
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-04-2009, 02:18 PM
kpmtns kpmtns is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Wow, seems pretty slick. I'm pretty handy, and think I could do this conversion. Is the only special tool I'd need to install the rear that little rear sight tool gizmo (I can't recall what it is called)? Or is this a job better left to a gunsmith?
__________________
Kevin
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-04-2009, 02:47 PM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is offline
US Veteran
Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question  
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 7,330
Likes: 7,502
Liked 5,556 Times in 2,547 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kpmtns View Post
Wow, seems pretty slick. I'm pretty handy, and think I could do this conversion. Is the only special tool I'd need to install the rear that little rear sight tool gizmo (I can't recall what it is called)? Or is this a job better left to a gunsmith?
On a S&W revolver, no gunsmith is needed. On a 1911, you're taking a chance on breaking a sight, but it's a pretty good gamble.

BTW, the special screwdriver bit from Brownell's is not guaranteed, so I bought two. I haven't broken the first one yet.

Last edited by ImprovedModel56Fan; 09-04-2009 at 02:50 PM. Reason: Add'l info.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-04-2009, 04:23 PM
Spotteddog Spotteddog is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 0
Liked 30 Times in 24 Posts
Default

The best tip is to have available a dental pick, and to do the work within a transparent plastic bag. There are a couple of very small parts (spring and detent for the windage adjustment screw) that can attain a quite high velocity when traveling across one's kitchen! (Don't ask me how I know?) If your going the contact Brownell's for that tool, you might want to get a spare set of the parts I just mentioned, they're very inexpensive JIC? Also, a jewelers screw driver can be used to do the staking of the new adjustment screw with. I was nervous as a cat in a rocking chair factory on my first one. Use your head, and their bark will be worse than their bite.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-05-2009, 12:45 PM
ladder13 ladder13 is online now
Member
Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,690
Likes: 57,542
Liked 52,812 Times in 16,465 Posts
Default

[QUOTE= The front red ramp replacement insert I have held in place on better than a dozen installations of this set up, by using Loctite's bearing and sleeve retainer formula. [/QUOTE]

Spotted, do you know what # Loctite it is that you used. There are different temp variations in some of the formulas.
__________________
GOA/SAF
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-05-2009, 08:19 PM
SuperMan SuperMan is offline
Member
Meprolight front sight question Meprolight front sight question  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester, NH USA
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 1,620
Liked 4,900 Times in 1,701 Posts
Default

This is my 657 MG...I opted to replace the whole blade.







From what I understand XS also has complete sight sets for S&W revolvers also.

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-05-2009, 09:19 PM
snowman snowman is offline
Member
Meprolight front sight question  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Rural NW Ohio
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 5,180
Liked 2,444 Times in 1,097 Posts
Default

I just used ordinary "blue" medium strength Loctite on my two 686s. I tried to scratch up the surface of the notch in the front ramp to help the grip of the Loctite. I haven't had them come loose on me at all.

I did have to do a little filing on at least one of the front ramps in order to force the one Mepro insert in the slot, as I recall. One has to be careful, of course, not to take too much off.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-06-2009, 08:42 PM
kpmtns kpmtns is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Bob--what blade is that on the 657?
__________________
Kevin
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, 657, 686, 696, detent, gunsmith, millet, rrwo, screwdriver

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Meprolight Sight Application Question kantuck Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics 0 02-15-2016 12:51 PM
New guy with front sight question whooziss Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 2 09-01-2012 06:52 PM
686 front sight question blackflyguy S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 10 09-03-2011 09:05 PM
Meprolight sights for K/L frame with Red insert front sight Ghostofwar S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 2 08-08-2010 05:43 PM
Front sight question? 5-Shot S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 2 02-28-2010 09:58 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:04 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)