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  #1  
Old 07-31-2018, 10:44 PM
otis24 otis24 is offline
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Default 686-3 rear sight help

I have a 686-3 with a 4 inch barrel. It has the red ramp front sight and the adjustable rear sights is held on with one screw. I am interested in replacing the rear sight with a fixed sight (preferred) from D&L Sports or C&S, or with a Bowen Rough Country rear sight. I do not want to have to file down my front sight. First, what is the height of my front sight? Is there a more rugged rear sight that I can throw on and go? Which one? Other recommendations?
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Old 08-01-2018, 04:32 PM
dfariswheel dfariswheel is offline
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There isn't a huge demand for fixed sights to replace adjustable, it's usually the other way around.
The one's you listed are about all that's available, and they're about as strong as can be made and still mount on the S&W frame.
In this case it's choose the one you like the best.

How high the front sight is on someone else's S&W is doesn't matter. All guns are individuals and front sights will often vary slightly, and the combination of the sight, barrel, and frame will cause enough variation that each individual gun has to be sighted in.
That's one big reason for adjustable sights.... so the owner can sight his gun in with the load he wants to use.

All you can do is install a fixed rear sight and shoot it to see what you get.
If it's high or low you can try different ammo to hopefully find one that will shoot closer to center.
This is the down side of fixed sights.... you pretty much have to live with what you get unless you alter the front sight by filing or somehow building it up.
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Old 08-02-2018, 11:02 AM
rkrcpa rkrcpa is offline
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Bowen's site has a chart so you can choose the correct sight blade based upon your front sight height.

+ Bowen Classic Arms + Parts Store

I put Rough Country Sights on most of my revolvers.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:15 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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I always modify the add on part, not the original revolver. So buy the sights you like with seller's exact model recommendation for your gun's barrel length.

If it's a fixed sight, and doesn't shoot well on your gun, try another model of that sight or make modifications to it. File the top lower if your gun shoots high with it, or shim underneath the sight if your gun shoots low. If it shoots to right or left on your gun, file one side or the other of the notch.

That way, you always have the option to go back to the original adjustable sight.
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Old 07-04-2019, 10:37 PM
jmoore jmoore is offline
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1). I can’t get a response from D&L about a fixed rear for my 625 - are they still in business?

2). Last time l looked, C&S showed no available fixed sights in their inventory. Has that changed?

3). Anyone installed the Bowen Rough Country rear sight on an N frame? If so - is it that much more substantial than the stock sight? Any other pros or cons?

TIA

geezer john
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