5903 sights with better visibility

[lamrith]

Hello all. Dad just picked up a unused NIB 5903. I really mean unused, no brass markings, no dirt/powder residue anyplace, very minimal marks on rails from hand cycling. For some back story he was integral in getting his PD to convert from wheel guns to the 459 back in the early 80's. So the 5903 was a easy decision and feels like old reliable in his hands.

However at the range he has been struggling with the sights and getting back on target post shot. The glock he has he can drop back behind easily.

We have been looking for sights but there is not much around these days. In wiki I have seen the 5903 referred to as gen3 does that means gen3 sights like this one will fit it? Or maybe anything that fits the 5906? Any help would be much appreciated.
S&W - 3rd Gen. 9mm & 40cal. - Rear Adjustable Sight - White Outline

[Ben-Kenobi]

The LPA sights you linked to should work just fine with your 5903. This is a 3rd generation pistol and is an aluminum alloy frame with a stainless steel slide. I hope you and your Dad enjoy shooting it as they are a great pistol.

[veeklog1]

I installed Trijicon night sights on my 5903

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by lamrith

Hello all. Dad just picked up a unused NIB 5903. I really mean unused, no brass markings, no dirt/powder residue anyplace, very minimal marks on rails from hand cycling. For some back story he was integral in getting his PD to convert from wheel guns to the 459 back in the early 80's. So the 5903 was a easy decision and feels like old reliable in his hands.

However at the range he has been struggling with the sights and getting back on target post shot. The glock he has he can drop back behind easily.

We have been looking for sights but there is not much around these days. In wiki I have seen the 5903 referred to as gen3 does that means gen3 sights like this one will fit it? Or maybe anything that fits the 5906? Any help would be much appreciated.
S&W - 3rd Gen. 9mm & 40cal. - Rear Adjustable Sight - White Outline

Make sure you are getting the correct rear sight. The 3rd gen S&W 9mm pistols were made with two different rear sight systems. Early production pistols usually have a hooked trigger guard and a simple rear sight in a dovetail. Later production pistols had a rounded trigger guard and Novak rear sights, which required the top of the slide to be milled lower from the back edge of the dovetail to the rear of the slide.

[ACEd]

Originally Posted by stansdds

Make sure you are getting the correct rear sight. The 3rd gen S&W 9mm pistols were made with two different rear sight systems. Early production pistols usually have a hooked trigger guard and a simple rear sight in a dovetail. Later production pistols had a rounded trigger guard and Novak rear sights, which required the top of the slide to be milled lower from the back edge of the dovetail to the rear of the slide.

Good point. But I think there may be 3 slide configurations - Original fixed sights, factory Adjustable sights (or did they use same slide configuration as original fixed sights??) and later low mount Novak (fixed or fixed night sights). But otherwise 5906/5905/5904/5903/5946 should use same sights for a given slide sight mounting geometry.
And Trijicon still makes sights - at least for the Novak configuration.

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by ACEd

Good point. But I think there may be 3 slide configurations - Original fixed sights, factory Adjustable sights (or did they use same slide configuration as original fixed sights??) and later low mount Novak (fixed or fixed night sights). But otherwise 5906/5905/5904/5903/5946 should use same sights for a given slide sight mounting geometry.
And Trijicon still makes sights - at least for the Novak configuration.

The factory adjustable sight uses a special dovetail and it is huge. I cannot see anyone trying to replace a factory adjustable rear sight with any other sight.

[ACEd]

Originally Posted by stansdds

The factory adjustable sight uses a special dovetail and it is huge. I cannot see anyone trying to replace a factory adjustable rear sight with any other sight.

Thanks for confirming - Agree

[max]

I found it was cheaper to buy a used slide with the sights I wanted. I got a new barrel in the deal also.

[jsbethel]

Originally Posted by stansdds

The factory adjustable sight uses a special dovetail and it is huge. I cannot see anyone trying to replace a factory adjustable rear sight with any other sight.

Millett is an option when it can be found.

[cherrypointmarine]

The LPA sights work , I had BMCM put them on my 4566TSW and my 4006 CHP pistols . These guys have a selection of them : Fusion Firearms .