early carpal tunnel, elbow and shoulder pain from work.

Is it better to get a standard adjustable sight model smith with a 4" barrel. Or to get a fixed sight model and plop an aluminum aristocrat rib on top of it to keep the weight down?

already have 6" magnum that weighs 40 ounces

Get a standard Smith & Wesson revolver and install an LPA sight from Revolver Supply Co.com.

Sell the S&W , buy a Colt OMM . If you got deep pockets a Manurhin . Clark Guns will take a donor Model 10 & turn it into a very accurate gun for quite reasonable fee .

Its finding a donor model 10 that isnt going to need major repair work done to the internals..

Not sure what use you want it for. A bull barrel model 10 and a 4" aluminum rib still going to be at least 37-38 oz or heavier wont it? An older model 15 with the thin rib would be about the lightest all steel, adjustable, that would have good 25 yard accuracy. The model 15-5-6-7 made for 85-86 have the wider rib so a bit more weight but are very nice shooters. If you want a patridge front you could always have the ramp machined off and one dovetailed in or one of the excellent after market ramp with a patridge screwed on. See Dawson sights. Might need a taller rear slide. I weighed mine and its 36 oz with S/W target stocks. Will try to post photo later. May be other options for you but not much lighter in steel.

Lots of these available as they were an LE duty gun for lots of places.

If you have carpal tunnel, etc, and need to keep the weight down, get a Skinny barrel M14, M15, M66, or M67. Put an LPA rear and patridge black or fiber optic front sight. Get a good action job and use Federal primers.

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protocalldesign.com

Spad,

I was in a similar situation prior to having carpal and cubital surgery in both arms/hands. Have you and your doctor discussed surgery yet?

After an MVA that left me disabled, I started concentrating on handgun shooting, which exacerbated my carpal and cubital tunnel issues. While I have some magnum revolvers, most of my centerfire revolver shooting is currently limited to the use of 38 & 44 Special loads. For semi-auto shooting, I am using service load ammo in 9mm and 45.

Personally, I'd suggest that you look for a K38/Model 14 for centerfire target shooting, and obtain a supply of 38 Special wadcutters. In the long run, you could end up saving money.

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Judge control not gun control!

A target sighted Smith with the rounded rear sight tang will be drilled and tapped from the factory saving that expense and saving a fixed sight gun from being ruined by drilling holes in it. A Weaver rail for S&Ws is very inexpensive and will accept any type of sight you want to add.

From the choices you list, a Model 15 with the most common tapered barrel.