Model 28 Replacement Sight, suggestions please

[PeteC]

I recently adopted a Model 28, no dash, S190xxx, in need of a new rear sight blade, and a lot of TLC. Next step is a new rear sight.

The gun is over 60 years old, was carried, probably stored without a lot of cleaning, and then maintained just enough for range use. The gentleman who sold it to me was kind enough to let me see the flaws in daylight before I acquired it. Shiny bore, clean cylinders, a few flaws and freckles, some crud on the grip frame... Purchased for the princely sum of $600. All I have done so far is a little cleaning and test fired it. The damaged rear sight blade has to go.

I have seen references made to different heights, sharp v. round corners, white outlines... The sight blade on the gun was probably, close to, maybe, the .136 sight height, and hard to measure. On the other hand, the sight on my slightly more recent M28-2 S251xxx measures .146~.148, and I can slide it all the way to the end and measure more reliably. I have no idea if either or both are original. Both guns are shown in first pic, sight in pic 2 and 3.

Suggestions or ideas?
(not including sending the gun to another foster home)

 

[shawn mccarver]

Replace it with OEM blade of the correct height, properly installed by a professional with the right tools. In other words, return it to factory specs. In addition to the new blade, you will need the screw, which is meant to be broken during replacement, the nut, which gets swaged during replacement, and just in case, go ahead and get the detent and springs, as they often get lost when people attempt this job.

 

[AZretired]

Brownells sells a rear sight OEM replacement kit with everything you need including good instructions. Very easy to do.

 

[PeteC]

I'm familiar with the "how", and these days there appear to be video directions from Brownells and Midway on youtube (sweet). The more important is the "what". Meaning what sight or kit is best for this particular gun. Btw, the .136 height kits are out of stock with no backorder, and the .146 is limited availability. My guess is that .146 will do fine, I can live with a 1" error at 50'. Paper targets don't complain much.

 

[Three Tees]

I agree with Shawn McCarver - the windage screw and nut will be trashed when you attempt to disassemble it. The sight blade is a total loss from what I can see from the pictures you posted. At this point, your best bet might be to just look for a completely new old stock (NOS - if you can find it) rear sight as that elevation screw looks to be a bit buggered-up as well. If the strain screw (forward screw) can be saved, by all means, do it. The elevation screw has a square nut that rides in a milled slot on the top strap under the screw so save it as well when you remove the complete sight. These old Smiths deserve the finest of OEM replacement parts if they can be found. Have you tried Numrich Arms (e-gun parts.com)? Flea Bay is also another source of parts such as this but, for an item such as this, be prepared to refinance your home to pay for it! LOL

 

[ken158]

The armorers chart calls for a .146 sight blade

 

[shawn mccarver]

Here is a chart. I hope it helps. Looks like a .136. Don't be alarmed by the "not available" notation as that applies only to the white outline, which wasn't supplied on the Model 28.

 

[Ruger 13]

Numrich Arms probably has those! And you certainly don't need to send it back to S & W for replacement! Very simple job. And YouTube can be your friend. Good luck.

 

[Goblin]

A Model 28 is a great candidate for the extreme duty fixed sight if you're interested. Cylinder & Slide sells them.

 

[PeteC]

Numrich Arms probably has those! And you certainly don't need to send it back to S & W for replacement! Very simple job. And YouTube can be your friend. Good luck.

Thanks! I DO know how to replace them,

The kits for the .136 height blade are not available at any of the three online suppliers I checked, Brownells, Midway, or Numrich.

Numrich DOES have used .136 blades, but a used one is a crapshoot. I tried a used sight once on a different gun, and I never got a sight that adjusted smoothly. May not be an issue here, but who knows. .136 slides and kits are not available, and .146 height kits seem not far behind. I am going to order the .146 kit, so I have at least something in hand.

 

[PeteC]

A Model 28 is a great candidate for the extreme duty fixed sight if you're interested. Cylinder & Slide sells them.

Good suggestion. I may consider that if I ever get past some of my "simple" projects. I thought looking up a sight kit would have been simpler, LOL.

 

[Protocall_Design]

To OP - I can send you a (gently) used .146 slide for the princely sum of your mailing address, if you wish.

 

[rct269]

COP-OUT CLAUSE UP FRONT: I don't know the first thing about post-war sights------don't even want to know.

That said, it seems like I saw any number of .146 sight blades. Then it occurred to me that a .146 blade + a suitable vise + a suitable file + a little dab of cold blue = a .136 blade. Yes? No?

Ralph Tremaine

 

[The Gila Bender]

Last summer I picked up a 6" S-prefix 28-2, about 1967, with factory diamond target stocks for a reasonable price. The rear sight assy had been replaced, years ago according to the seller and original owner, with a Model 27 rear sight leaf with black sight blade. He said he lost the original rear sight assy after installing a Bushnell Magnum Phantom 2.5x on the gun sometime in the 1970's, and could not find it when he removed the optic many years later. I kinda like the checkered rear sight leaf and, heck, it's a nice shooter. The owner included the optic with the gun, which is kinda cool.

 

[DGNY]

Gather exact replacement part chancy. However, meantime, a dab of either long curing or five minute epoxy, plus tape or Vaseline as a release agent? Then a little file work, marking pen, after curing, could result in a usable alternative.

Best of luck. Fully realize not definitionally responsive to your inquiry.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I know that I would just replace the sight blade, but if you needed a complete rear sight assembly, I would recommend Bowen Classic Arms.
Pics below.

 

[SS336]

Here's a .146 kit on eBay right now,

Smith & Wesson REAR SIGHT KIT BLADE K L N .146 White Outline 19 25 27 66 | eBay