Model 17-3

cobb · #1 02-26-2021, 02:37 PM

I have acquired a 17-3 from a friends estate sale, but it had a junk scope on it. I would like to find a replacement rear sight assembly for it but having problems determining which is correct. So any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hondo44 · #2 02-27-2021, 11:43 AM

Here's the key change you need to be aware of for your search:

1967 – Relocation of the rear sight front tang screw forward, 14-3, 15-3, 17-3, 18-3, & 19-3.

So you need a post 1967 K frame sight. To confirm the correct sight when shopping for one, take a measurement from the center of your rear sight tang attachment screw hole back to the cross cut for the sight body and buy one to match. The E dimension shown here:

A ~ 1.827”
B ~ 0.474”
C ~ 2.408”
D ~ 2.732” +.220” for snubbies or ~ 2.952”
E ~ 1.942”

One other caution: the sight used with 2" K frame revolvers has a longer rear sight tang the extends all the way to the front surface of the frame/rear of barrel. It will fit your gun and actually looks good but will not be the original style for a Mod 17.

The height of the rear sight blade must be the correct height for your 6" barrel and .22 caliber. But if you find the correct K frame rear sight, if the blade is for a different caliber, it can be purchased separately and changed. You need the .146 blade height from the chart below:

BLADE HEIGHTS (sorry, the format did not post well):

Old Style: New Style:
Model Barrel Length Blade Height - Model Barrel Length Blade Height

M14 8 3/8 .126 M14-6 8 3/8 .126
M15 4, 6 .126 M15-7 4, 6 .126
M15 2 .146 M15-7 2 .146
M17 4 .136 M17-7 4 .126
M17 6, 8 3/8 .146 M17-7 6, 8 3/8 .146
M19 4, 6 .146 M19-7 2 1/2, 4, 6 .146
M19 2, 5 .146 M19-7 3 .160
M24 .126 M27-6 6 .146
M24 6 1/2 .146 M29-6 4, 6 .146
M25-5 4, 6 .126 M29-6 8 3/8 .160
M25-5 5 .106 M29-6 CL 5, 6 1/2 .126
M27 8 3/8 .160 M29-8 MNT 4 .160
M27 5, 8 3/8 .126 M317 3 .086
M27 6 .146 M325 2 1/2 .160
M27 3 1/2 .126 M327 NG 2 1/2 .126
M29 4, 6 .146 M327 PD 4 .160
M29 8 3/8 .160 M329 4 .160
M29 10 5/8 .222 M360 PD 3 1/8 .122
M29-4 CL 5, 7 1/2 .146 M386 3 1/8 .196
M34 2, 4 .086 M386 PD 2 1/2 .160
M57 4, 6 .146 M396 3 1/2 .196
M586 4 .160 M460 XVR 8 1/2 .160
M586-3 Af 6, 8 3/8 .196 M460 V 5 .196
M586-3 6, 8 3/8 .146 M500 4, 8 3/8 .126
M586-3 4, 6 .146 M57-4 4, 6 .146
M586-3 2 1/2 .146 M586-4 4 .160
M60-8 .086 M586-4 6, 8 3/8 .196
M610 5, 6 1/2 .146 M586-4 6, 8 3/8 .146
M617 6, 8 3/8 .146 M586-4 2 1/2 .160
M617 4 .136 M586-4 6 .106
M624 .126 M610-2 4, 6 1/2 .146
M624 .146 M617-1 6, 8 3/8 .146
M625-2 3, 5 .106 M617-1 4 .136
M627 5 1/2 .146 M625-5 5 .106
M629 8 3/8 .160 M627 4 .146
M629 3, 6 .146 M627-1 5 1/2 .146
M629-3 C 8 3/8 .126 M629-4 8 3/8 .146
M629-3 C 5, 7 1/2 .146 M629-4 4, 6 .160
M648 6 .126 M629-4 CL 5, 6 1/2 .126
M657 8 3/8 .160 M629 CL 8 3/8 .160
M657 6 .146 M647 8 3/8 .146
M66 4, 6 .146 M648-1 6 .126
M66 2 1/2 .146 M657-3 6, 7 .146
M67-2 4 .106 M66-4 4, 6 .146
M67-3 4 .106 M66-4 2 1/2, 3 .146
M686-3 4 INS SP .160 M66-4 3 .160
M686-3 4 .160 M67-3 4 .136
M686-3 4 .126 M67-4 3 .106
M686-3 3, 6 .146 M67-5 COMP .160
M686-3 6, 8 3/8 .146 M686-4 2 1/2, 4 .160
M686-3 6 w/AFS .196 M686-4 6 ported .126
M686-3 2 1/2 .146 M686-4 6, 8 3/8 .146
M686-4 6 w/AFS .196
M696 3 .126

Be sure to get all these parts as well:

Elevation screw parts:
Elevation screw parts less the retaining snap ring:

Photos thx to Linde

Photos thx to Linde

The only thing not shown above is this upper screw-nut retaining snap ring that captures it in the sight tang:

Photo from Midway here: Smith & Wesson Rear Sight Elevation Screw Spring Clip All Models

I hope this helps,

cobb · #3 02-27-2021, 11:54 AM

This measurement? It isn't really close to any measurement above.

The other hole is about 1.94, so E on the above list?

murphydog · #4 02-27-2021, 12:05 PM

Jim should be back soon, but the hole in the top strap you are measuring is one that was drilled for the scope mount. The smaller, more forward one has the distance you need to measure.

cobb · #5 02-27-2021, 12:19 PM

That measurement is about 1.94"

Hondo44 · #6 02-27-2021, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobb

That measurement is about 1.94"

That's correct!

C was a typo, it's the E measurement!!

Sorry, my mistake,

murphydog · #7 02-27-2021, 08:40 PM

In searching for the correct rear sight assembly, often the two types will be described by the distance of the hole for the screw. As Jim noted you are looking for the one that is farther forward; it was moved out of the way of the barrel/cylinder gap with this change.

cobb · #8 02-27-2021, 09:39 PM

So if I want to get the correct, how do I do this through, say Brownells? Searching ebay, some give the dimensions, so maybe that is best route. Maybe someone viewing here has a used one, 1.94 by .146 is what I think I need.

Thanks guys!