Hi, do they make optics that mount to the stock sight screw holes ? I really dont want to drill and tap my S&W 's if I dont have too . With so many chioces out there a novice can be overwelmed . Maybe something for the range & another for hunting. I would like to stay USA made if possible ; EoTech looks ok for the range , but is it any good for hunting ? This may help too 586 4" and 6" are what I'am looking for optics for . Thanks , Greg

Weaver makes a clamp on scope base that uses the rear sight hole

There are some real mickey mouse sight bases for the pre-drilled and tapped guns. I think the best way to go is drill and tap the top strap for the standard S&W pattern. Then you have a bunch of good options.

I'm inclined to agree with this. I purchased a used 617 no dash that came with an Aimtech mount and a Laseraim Illusion Red Dot scope. The way the Aimtech mount works is by straddling the top strap with clamp screws at that point and then mounting over the sideplate using the Yoke and trigger guard sideplate screw to secure the bottom. All told I probably have about 4 hours of wet sanding done on the top strap and sideplate to clean up the marks left by that mount. Good thing it was stainless, on a blued revolver it would either mean refinishing or an ugly gun.

A local gunshop near me charges 15 bucks a hole to drill and tap, so it's 45 dollars per gun. Since I'm a cheapskate, and a fair machinist, I spent about 40 bucks for a drill, ream, and tap, then took my 67-1 and 617 into work and did both of them using the current mounting pattern. Below are the dimensions for that mounting pattern.

Attached Files

s&W STANDARD MOUNTING PATTERN.pdf (2.9 KB, 25 views)

All the post 1992 (IIRC) K, L, N (and the big giant frame 500 S&W size too) S&W revolvers come factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount. The hole are visible when the rear sight blade is removed. They are also visible if you open the cylinder and look at the underside of the top strap.

THANKS everyone , Black Talon extra thanks to you , I was to dumb to look under top strap but there they were plain as day on the 4" ; the 6" does not , it's a perfect gun not a mark, box ,papers , sales slip , I may not drill it , but the 4" will get some thing . Thanks agian everyone , Greg