Hi All,
I have a new-to-me 629-6, 3" bbl that has a dinged up rear sight leaf. If it wasn't dropped then it was smacked pretty good into something. It works fine but it just bugs me. Should/could I replace just the leaf or is a whole new sight assembly? Actually I'd prefer an all black blade to the white outline.
A whole new rear sight assembly is going to be about $50 to $60 and is very easy to install.
Replacing the blade is about $10 to $15 but requires more work and special screwdriver bits. There are videos out there that show you have to replace the blade. I think just about any S&S revolver from the last 50 years or more is going to be the same basic procedure to replace the blade. It's not hard to do but I'd watch a video or 2 and determine if it's something you want to mess with before deciding.
I just replaced the blade on my 63 recently. It is a tricky business. I lost the plunger at least 4 Times!Can't believe I found it every time.
By the time you buy the slotted bit and staking punch plus the blade and hassle, it might just be worth it to call Smith and pay for the whole sight assembly of the type you need!
The older ones with the square ends are model specific. It may be hard to locate the right one. The newer style with the rounded end fits any frame with the rounded end sight groove.
A white outline blade can be made black by turning it around so the outline is in the front side.