I just picked up a shooter grade 30-1, 3" barrel, that I want to eventually end up as a Kit Gun type. Here's what I would like to do, so you can all poke holes in the idea or tell me I'm a genius. I want to add J target adjustable rear sights and a wider front blade. Add target trigger and hammer. New stocks are in order. Also thinking about reaming cylinder to .32 H&R mag depth to allow ammo commonality with my Ruger. I can make the new stocks, so that's easy and basically free. The machining work I am capable of, but no longer have access to a mill, so that's probably a hired job. Don't have a H&R reamer, so that's also probably a hire out. When all is done it'll need a re-blue. Any guesses as to costs, and where to source the parts (trigger, hammer, rear sight)? Anything I'm not thinking of? I've seen some examples here that are pretty close to what I want, so I know it's been done before. Thanks,

Patrick

Member Hondo44 has done it and should be along to detail how the conversion was done.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

IIRC.... there have been a couple of other threads on this in the past month.

Sounds like an interesting concept.... but if you want to save time and money...........

My "Kit gun" for the past 5/6 years has been a 3" 60-10...... shoots shot-shells to .357s and every .38 in between......think "micro 686".

Some others are using the 3" 60-15?

Thanks for the replies, it's Hondo44's 4" version that made me want one! The .38 versions are an option I guess, but I really like the .32. I also have a thing for blued steel and pretty wood, so the 60-whatevers, while very functional, don't quite do it for me. I did look for a 631 for a while, but man the prices on those! I could have a lot of machining and refinishing done before I get up to the price of a nice specimen, and it'd still be silver. Custom gives me the chance to set it up just how I want it.

Looks like rear sights are readily available from Brownells, and I can make a front sight easy enough, but the TT/TH I don't know where to start. Any ideas? Gun show this weekend, will not likely see any parts, but should be fun to look.

Patrick

Does anyone know of any gunsmith who does the rear sight machining? I have a couple of those I've wanted to do.

Stu

J frames use a different rear sight assy than the larger frames. Never had one, but I think the elevation screw works different without the need for the little slot cut for the bottom of elevation nut. I am not sure there is enough material in the frame to make the cuts for a K,L,N type sight to work. Maybe there is. I have looked around a bit in the past and the J frame rear sight is a rare bird to see for sale.

The machining isn't that hard. but, a cutter to make the slot is hard to come by. I made my own by modifying a small 2 flute end mill and have converted several fixed sight guns to adj.

Right now Shovelwrench has a threat going in the Gunsmith portion of the forum on building a K 32 and part of it is about making the cuts and installing a adj rear sight on a fixed sight frame.

If some one has converted a J frame to use regular frame adj sights I would like to hear about it myself.

See this thread, at the beginning and post #17.

32/32 Kit Gun Project-Now Blued and Completed

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have also been looking for J frame rear sights and they are indeed hen's teeth.

Stu

While I really like the job they guy did in the other kit gun threat, I think that finding a early rear sight like he did would be as hard or harder than finding a J frame sight. I am going to drang out my J frames and do some measuring. But, my J frame 32 is in very nice shape and shoots to point of aim with its sights with my 32 S&W load so I will probably just leave it alone. I do have aand old I frame 32 that has been reblued and then I replaced the yorn yoke on it. It is a candidate for modification.

My favorite pocket carry is my 431PD in 32H&R. With my loads it shoots to point of impact elevation wise but 3-4" to the right. I've tried grips,loads, everything, the POI isn't moving. I was thinking of trying to put an adjustable on this favorite revolver. If nothing else, I'm going to file the rear notch on the left side.

Stu

Measure first. Some of the original I Frames cylinder isn't long enough for the 32 Mag. The J frames are.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Stu, be careful filing, remember that's an alloy frame. I've got a 431PD and a 432PB and that's about all I carry currently. I do use my own load, and it will chrono just above 1000 fps from that 1 7/8" barrel with the 100 gr. Hornady XTP. While not dead on, it's close enough at 10-12 yards to not be concerned. Have you tried different grips?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Yes, H Richard, tried just about everything. I'm not too concerned about filing the rear sight as the sight picture has very little if any white space on either side of the front sight. That fat front sight really takes up the rear and makes a difficult sight picture, even with a white painted front sight blade. I've been playing with this revolver, grips and loads for a year now trying to get something that shoots to center of hold. No luck yet. Factory stuff is 4" right at 50 feet and about 2.5" at 21 feet. Little to much for my taste. If I can't get an adjustable on it (which I want for different loads) I'll resort to my safe sight file. I have plenty of aluminum black! !

Stu

Not looking for period correct sights, just something that fits. With the 317, 63, and 60 still being made in 'kit gun' versions, modern J adjustable sights should be available. My 30-1 was built in 1969-70 by SN, so are there things about the newest J frames that would make the current production sights a problem on the older J? As long as the frame needs machining anyway, seems you could tailor the frame to whatever sight you find.

Patrick

I believe David Clements is producing a small S&W type sight for install on single actions. It might even be a pre war type sight. I also may be wrong about this. I often am......

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

So the easy part is done, finished the new stocks over the weekend. Went with cherry as I had some and it's nice to work, and it'll darken into a nice reddish orange with age. Pretty happy with the shape, ended up sort of an extended RB with the middle finger support of a Target grip. Feels really good and lets me get a three finger grip without increasing the LOP any.





Now to figure out the metal work.

Patrick

So is this the rear sight I should be looking at? Listed as current production and for the Model 60 and 63. In stock at Brownells for $56 and change. SIGHT ASSEMBLY, REAR, .086", BLACK | Brownells

Thanks,

Patrick

Nice looking job on those grips!!!

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244