I am working on my 4" model 66 no dash gun. It is equipped with the stainless front ramp (no RR) and rear sights. I have heard that this is a desirable gun.

Here are my problems: It appears that the gun was dropped (previous owner) the front sight has a ding on the right side which screws up the sight picture. The gun also shoots LOW. The rear sight leaf is .146 and is still low with the elevation nearly maxed out.

The front sight appears to be .211 tall as best I can measure.
I have gauged the barrel and every hole in the cylinder with a match grade gauge and it is in perfect alignment. Timing, lockup and endshake are all perfect. My regular shooters don't gauge as well as this gun. So I don't believe the frame or yoke is tweaked.

I want to fix/replace the front sight and would really like a Red ramp. I verified I can fix the "LOW" problem with a .160 N-frame sight blade, But I can't find any of the parts I need in stainless.

I want to keep the appearance correct and have thought about stripping and nickel plating new hardware that I can obtain from Midway.

Is there anybody on the forum with any experience with problems like this? How did you solve? Anybody have a source for stainless sight parts? Is nickel plating a good solution? Or am I hunting for hen's teeth?

Dave

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Easy fix: Re-file the front ramp serrations with a proper checkering file just low enough to eliminate the 'ding' and then reshape the nose of the sight blade. That will cure the low POI. A red ramp insert can be installed by a gunsmith, but that will lower the value of this handgun.

Alternately, a higher blued rear sight assembly can be installed while you keep the OEM SS sight in reserve for when you would want to return to original configuration. In this case I would just paint the front sight serrations with a red model paint. That will disguise the 'ding' enough that it won't matter. ..........

B.C. I like the way your think. I already acquired a blued sight leaf and bought a .160 white outline blade kit. I will keep the original rear sight for originality.

I know that a red ramp was a factory option on this gun. If I do a nice factory looking job on the front sight do you think it will affect the value that much? If so, I'll remove the front sight and keep it with the original rear sight.

I'd like to attempt the red ramp myself. I am not a gunsmith, but I have my own bridgeport and I know how to use it. With a carbide endmill and a dovetail bit, I'll bet I can create a front sight that looks as good as a factory.

No, it will not affect value that much. If you are machinist enough to own a Bridgeport Mill, I would say that you can certainly handle installation of a red ramp. The plastics kit is available from Brownell's. .......

I have a used .160 stainless blade and screw in nice condition.
Email me if you are interested: johnandjackiex1 at gmail.com