Bought a 6" mod 48-2 from a pawn shop today. Beautiful shape, just some micro rust from sitting in a holster and a little muzzle wear. The rust disappeared immediately with a little 0000 and oil. I'm ashamed to mention how little I paid for it, but there was one small problem. It was missing the rear sight assembly. You can probably already guess what my next question is. Where do I find a sight? Will the sight assembly from Midwest USA work? I bought it as a nostalgic shooter, but that doesn't mean that it has to go naked or with just any sight. Can anyone help an old man?
New to forum and already asking questions from Georgia
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Welcome from New Mexico!
Here's one (of many) sources: https://www.brownells.com/brands/sm...rts/handgun-sights-parts/handgun-rear-sights/
I've used them a lot through the years, always with satisfaction.
Here's one (of many) sources: https://www.brownells.com/brands/sm...rts/handgun-sights-parts/handgun-rear-sights/
I've used them a lot through the years, always with satisfaction.
Welcome aboard.
Try Jack First, Numrich, EBay or an ad in our classifieds.
Try Jack First, Numrich, EBay or an ad in our classifieds.
Welcome to the Forum! Congratulations on picking up a nice .22 WMR revolver. S&W manufactured the 48-2 from 1962 until 1967 (introduced the 48-3). We always appreciate photos so if you could post a few that would be great. If you're curious about its DOM, post the s/n and we can help date your revolver. A replacement target sight should be a relatively easy find, and you've already received some good suggestions on sources. Enjoy!
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Welcome to the forum from another Georgia shooter and collector. Bought a nice looking 48 few years ago but when shooting always shot to left even with sight all the way right. Removed rear sight, installed red dot mount and now is very nice shooter. Red dots are easier with old eyes.
65-2x2
Member
That is a nice piece! What part of Georgia?
Middle
I have gotten rear sight assemblies off Ebay. You need the square front type, the newer ones have a rounded front. The distance from the rear sight elevation screw to the front mounting screw has also changed along the way on some the screw sits over the barrel shank and others over the front of cylinder. Some sellers give you the distance in their ad. Just do a search for S&W rear sight There are lots of them
Grayfox
US Veteran
You will also need the correct height rear sight blade. There are several different sizes depending on caliber and barrel length. I'm afraid I don't know which one you will need. Maybe someone here can tell you or perhaps give S&W a call.
65-2x2
Member
I am in Fl. but I am closer to Ga. than I am to the grocery store.
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I’m on Ga. Fl line on the coast.
Once you have the correct body installed fire it with the sight all the way down. If it shoots high you need a shorter sight blade. If it shoots low run the sight up 4 full turns, If it is still low you need a higher rear sight blade.
When you install a new blade DON'T stake the windage screw until you check out how it shoots to elevation. Once staked the windage screw is hard to save for reuse and adds to the cost, at Midway a blade is $5-6+ and a blade and screw is $13.20. At Numerich the blades or screws are $13+ each
The .146 height sight blade is about the middle of the road. .086 is the lowest for K,L,N frames and .190 the tallest
Here is a chart that says a 6" model 48 takes a .146 rear blade. Click on it to enlarge
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When you remove the windage screw there is a tiny plunger with a tiny spring. Do it in a clear plastic sack. When you install it the trick is to screw the screw in untill the hole for spring and plunger is just under the bottom of the sight. then turn it back a ttiny bit so hole isn't quite under the bottom of blade, stick in plunger and spring and turn it so plunger is trapped under blade, slide blade and screw in housing and keep screw pressed in while you turn it to get the nut on the other side started. Get the blade centered then snug up the nut. Don't get the nut tight, just snug. I use a small cheap screwdriver that I cut the center out of with a dremel so it looks like a 2 pronged fork and straddles the tip of the screw. The tip of the screw is cupped so that you can mushroom it to lock it on the nut. DON'T do that until you are sure sight is right hieght. Just use the screw to center and snug up the nut until you check for elevation
The weaker your grip and or the heavier the recoil the more the muzzle rises under recoil and the longer the barrel the more time it takes the bullet to leave the barrel so the muzzle will be higher when the bulet leaves on its path to target.
The weaker your grip and or the heavier the recoil the more the muzzle rises under recoil and the longer the barrel the more time it takes the bullet to leave the barrel so the muzzle will be higher when the bulet leaves on its path to target.
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McChemist
Member
I am in the ATL suburbs.
Nice pick up! I've Been looking for one of them but they don't pop very often. And when they do they don't last long. Good luck on finding a rear sight. Enjoy that nice vintage S&W!
Welcome from Hot 'Lanta. There are a lot of 48's that are mis-marked. I have a couple of them. -2' that is a -4 and vice versa. Makes a big difference with the location of the rear sight leaf screw.
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