Share Your Modified Front Sights

RKmesa · #1 01-01-2020, 12:21 PM

For most of us, front sights are a critical part of accurately sending lead down range. For years, shooters have tweaked their guns to get the best sight picture and improve their proficiency in their sport.

In looking at my guns, many of them have custom front sights, that were modified "somewhen" in their history. I thought it would be fun to share some examples.

So... to start it off, here are a few of mine:

A little 2" pre-war M&P given the King Super Police Night Sight treatment - one of my favorite sight treatments for a fixed sighted revolver:

A 6.5" pre-27 with a McGivern bead added to the Patridge front sight:

A 5.5" Model 27 with a simple dab of red paint on the rear of the Patridge blade...

... and the last one for now, a K-22 with a King ramp and a red post:

I'm looking forward to seeing your front sights that have been modified.

Thanks for letting me share,

LLOYD17 · #2 01-01-2020, 12:33 PM

I love those modified S&W's!

Here's a cut front sight for a Pre-22 (I just cleaned the paint off the sight this morning)

My custom 1917 with the brass front sight and a 44 3rd with an imitation King Reflector Ramp front sight

My only Top Break with a chopped barrel and modified front ramp sight and rear blade added (120 year old pocket gun!!)

An OD with some King work to it (built for a lefty)

And my OD turned 44 spl with a Call Gold Bead

weatherby · #3 01-01-2020, 12:47 PM

One of my favorites.......almost like cheating.
Of course the U notch rear sight helps a bit too.

An early post war K 22

with its corresponding rear sight

Pondoro · #4 01-01-2020, 01:56 PM

I cannot post pictures anymore since the Photobucket upheaval. But I have a 32 Regulation Police with the original half moon front sight. Someone added braze metal to the back side of the sight and then squared off the back. No original metal was removed and the sight height was not changed. It simply has a square back. It is surprisingly non-obvious, since most of the bluing is gone.

Xfuzz · #5 01-01-2020, 02:03 PM

Not sure what the thinking was on this one.

BlackAgnes · #6 01-01-2020, 02:22 PM

My barrel band front sight on my "Raiders" homage...

Tim

gnystrom · #7 01-01-2020, 02:26 PM

Did kind of a two part paint job on a Ruger SP101. It made it much easier to get a repeatable sight picture.

hibbs · #8 01-01-2020, 06:42 PM

Here is a early .22 Kit gun with King white bead front sight.

Richard

230grfmj · #9 01-01-2020, 07:32 PM

Here's one that started off as a 'half moon' sight on a 3rd model 5" barrel that Hamilton Bowen did for me.

tt66 · #10 01-01-2020, 09:10 PM

... and the last one for now, a K-22 with a King ramp and a red post:

that made my heart melt. very sweet !

S&W ucla · #11 01-01-2020, 09:53 PM

Picked up a nice pre-war that had a unique front sight blade. It looks like they cut the blade down, then soldered nickel-silver, then copper strip. Maybe 50,100, and 200 yard zero? Going to have to shoot it and see. With one program, 50yd zero shows 100yd -6.0" and 200yd -42." Kinda neat homemade longrange sight.

NavySCPO · #12 01-01-2020, 10:15 PM

Interesting thread, just curious, since I saw one last night on GB, a Baby Chief with slightly modified front sight, the sight appears to be the original and has been cut or ground, not too much, but certainly enough that even my inexperienced eyes saw it right away.

My question is, what does this do to the value of the gun? Originality certainly seems to be a prime concern to most collectors, so I would think this could detract a good deal, but I really don’t know.

Thoughts?

crsides · #13 01-02-2020, 02:38 AM

Ivory insert compliments of Ray Viramontez on my 25-2. You can click for more detail.

crsides · #14 01-02-2020, 02:40 AM

I'm thinking an Ithaca shotgun front sight ???

crsides · #15 01-02-2020, 02:43 AM

King reflector base and red bead rifle sight for a Win 71.

lestert357 · #16 01-02-2020, 07:16 AM

The Red Ramp front sight blade on my 1950 vintage Pre-Model 27 - about 3 years BEFORE the factory offered this feature!

RKmesa · #17 01-02-2020, 07:51 PM

A lot of great sights on the above guns.

Thanks for sharing. The front sight on this pre-war 4" 38/44 Outdoorsman has always been one of my favorites:

Messer · #18 01-02-2020, 09:59 PM

S&W 4" Triple Lock 44 Special...

S&W 3.25" 32 Long with factory target sights - hard to see, but the front sight is marked Lyman and looks like an ivory bead.

Happy New Year to all,
Bob S.

Hawg Rider · #19 01-05-2020, 10:35 AM

I've only a couple of S&W revolvers with modified front sights: the first is my 4" nickel .44 HE (W&K, 1926). A previous owner must have preferred a .357 Magnum style ramp and Baughman sight to the original half-moon. The second is my 1905 4th Model .32-20 (ca. 1924) with a copper bead.

glenwolde · #20 01-05-2020, 10:41 AM

The Weigand DX front sight base I had mounted on my 6" Model 66. You can put anything you want in it at anytime. If they don't make what you want it's not hard to modify a spare blade. Take a Patridge blade and drill a hole in it for a brass bead or whatever. Allows easy experimentation and you'll never have a problem changing sights again.

SFIDEC · #21 01-05-2020, 04:51 PM

Loving all the shared photos. Here's my Combat Masterpiece 15-3 with Patridge sight. Sweet shooter.

ImprovedModel56Fan · #22 01-05-2020, 05:10 PM

A lot of good ones, but no partridge sights, yet.

S.B. · #23 01-05-2020, 07:02 PM

When I first recieved my 63-0 I had Dave Clements change the stainless red ramped front sight to a blue one(patridge) I could see much better along with a bit higher and then filed a K frame rear blade to match.

Steve

mikerjf · #24 01-05-2020, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crsides

I'm thinking an Ithaca shotgun front sight ???

What is that? Meanest lookin snub I’ve ever seen!

diecidecimi · #25 01-05-2020, 08:15 PM

Please, Patridge, not

crsides · #26 01-05-2020, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerjf

What is that? Meanest lookin snub I’ve ever seen!

A 2" Colt New Service, chopped grip frame, chopped hammer spur, chopped barrel 45acp.
I think its an Ithaca RayBar front sight from an Ithaca model 37, maybe customized at that. Its a hand full with 230g full power loads.

StrawHat · #27 01-06-2020, 08:41 AM

Here is a front sight on a 4”, 1917. Not sure who or when it was done. Thin enough to cut!

Kevin

Dave.357 · #28 01-06-2020, 03:08 PM

343AD838-4D8A-41AE-A33E-67EC4D1556D7.jpg

When this model 19 came to me, most of the front sight Had been filed off. So, I made this bubba job.

29aholic · #29 01-06-2020, 04:02 PM

Dont have it any more, but I owned a 4" 29-2 with front and rear electric sight conversion

Kinman · #30 01-06-2020, 05:41 PM

This front sight was installed by the factory when this 2nd Model .44 was sent back twice in one year. I believe it was sent back for micro rear sight installation and front sight addition, then sent back to customer to try, who then sent it back for any further adjustments and a refinish.

This front sight was milled out of bar stock and installed by my gunsmith buddy after he shorted the barrel to 4" and cleaned everything up.

RKmesa · #31 01-08-2020, 11:50 AM

... a couple more from the safe:

a 3" Model 66 with a gold bead patridge sight:

and a Bekeart 22/32 HFT with a Sheard FS

StrawHat · #32 01-09-2020, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

A lot of great sights on the above guns.

Thanks for sharing. The front sight on this pre-war 4" 38/44 Outdoorsman has always been one of my favorites:

Richard,

It took me a while to figure out what I was seeing. It appears to be a ramped rifle sight on a revolver barrel. Neat idea! How long is the ramp?

Kevin

Dosgatos · #33 01-09-2020, 07:58 PM

For those of you that don't read "S&W Antiques", see my "An Interesting Police Revolver" on 11/9/19 for some pics of a modified .38 New Departure that was shipped to Asheville N.C. Police Department.

RKmesa · #34 01-09-2020, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat

...It appears to be a ramped rifle sight on a revolver barrel. Neat idea! How long is the ramp?

Kevin

Kevin:

Good eyes. I think that your observation of the "ramped rifle sight on a revolver barrel" is the consensus of those that have looked at the gun. The barrel has been professionally cut to 4" and the ramp from rear to tip is about 3". The overall modification is one of my favorites and is very well executed. PLUS the ramp covers the the cut pre-war roll marks on the top of the barrel that are typically centered on the 6.5" barrel and would be cut on the 4" modification.

zipty6 · #35 01-09-2020, 11:18 PM

I know I've posted these before, but I'll add them here. I'm partial to green inserts.

66-1:

10-7:

handejector · #36 01-10-2020, 01:08 PM

The very rare aftermarket PaRtridge front sight shown on an old K-22.
It was only offered for a short time. Most people have never seen one.

Share Your Modified Front Sights-001-jpg

Share Your Modified Front Sights-002-jpg

RKmesa · #37 01-10-2020, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

The very rare aftermarket PaRtridge front sight shown on an old K-22.
It was only offered for a short time. Most people have never seen one.

Lee:

I just gots to know... does that K-22 shoot point of aim? If so, is it sighted for a center hold or a 6-o'clock hold?

S&WIowegan · #38 01-10-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

The very rare aftermarket PaRtridge front sight shown on an old K-22.
It was only offered for a short time. Most people have never seen one.

Who is the poultry producer for this modification? Thanks for the smile, Lee

Muley Gil · #39 01-10-2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat

Here is a front sight on a 4”, 1917. Not sure who or when it was done. Thin enough to cut!

Kevin

I love the fine checkering on that FS!

jtcarm · #40 01-15-2020, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crsides

I'm thinking an Ithaca shotgun front sight ???

That looks like a Fitz.

S&W ucla · #41 01-15-2020, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

The very rare aftermarket PaRtridge front sight shown on an old K-22.
It was only offered for a short time. Most people have never seen one.

And the even rarer Grouse front sight!

RGNewell · #42 03-08-2020, 06:44 PM

Gold Bead SDM on a cut off 27-2

S.B. · #43 03-08-2020, 06:45 PM

RGNewell, I've always admired the gold bead front sights, thanks for sharing.
Steve

RGNewell · #44 03-08-2020, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.B.

RGNewell, I've always admired the gold bead front sights, thanks for sharing.
Steve

Thank You.
I love that gun. Has Bowen rear sight. Bought that gun dirt cheap a couple months age less rear sight and Keith Brown Grips.

Oyeboteb · #45 03-08-2020, 07:33 PM

Model 10-5...was a four inch, square Butt, usual usuals, older Police Trade in at the loacl Pawn Shop, I modified it many years ago to be a three inch, half round front Sight, Bobbed Hammer, and a rounded Grip which is a little larger and more comfortable than the usual Model 10 Round Butt is.

Fitted and shaped some WWII Victory Stocks to it, in plain Walnut.

Very comfortable, shoots very nicely.

Hosted on Fotki

StrawHat · #46 03-08-2020, 09:30 PM

Here is one from a 1950 Military. Started as a half moon but got modified. I may add a gold or perhaps ivory bead.

Green Frog · #47 03-08-2020, 09:44 PM

RKMesa, it may be considered a total sacrilege by the SWPAACS (Smith & Wesson Preservation At All Costs Society) but I have a well worn late Baby Chiefs Special upon which I hope to have an homage done... that Super Police Special you show in the catalog and on that pre-War snub you have. If I could have sent it to King’s back in the day, everyone would ooh and ahh over it today, so I’m just hoping to do now what I would have done 65 years ago if I could have.

Froggie

RKmesa · #48 03-09-2020, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

RKMesa, it may be considered a total sacrilege by the SWPAACS (Smith & Wesson Preservation At All Costs Society) but I have a well worn late Baby Chiefs Special upon which I hope to have an homage done... that Super Police Special you show in the catalog and on that pre-War snub you have. If I could have sent it to King’s back in the day, everyone would ooh and ahh over it today, so I’m just hoping to do now what I would have done 65 years ago if I could have.

Froggie

I look forward to seeing the results of your vision!

Modified · #49 03-09-2020, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

The very rare aftermarket PaRtridge front sight shown on an old K-22.
It was only offered for a short time. Most people have never seen one.

If that were my gun I would have to chuckar it into the sea.

Regarding adding something to this thread, I have quite a few modified front sights. Not all of them are probably worth adding to this thread, being mostly King that we have all (or should have all) seen by now. I do have some unusual or neat ones for other reasons.

This one is cool because of the SWHF letter regarding it's installation at the service department. I liked this gun before the history, but after I got those letters I just love it. If anyone is interested in that: Half Target M&P, Update: Another Police Gun!

Of course, along the same lines as that gun, is this one. Which has a very similar story, and some day I will find the person who sent the gun to S&W to get nickeled and the sight done, it's in those SWHF records somewhere! Still, what they have gotten me so far is awesome:

If anyone is interested in more information: Increasingly more Interesting Triple Lock *update*

This one, this one I just like:

I'm 85% sure that someone in the SFPD was sick of the little sights on their gun, and just dropped it off at King to do something about it: Model of 1905 Fixed Sight Target *Update - SFPD Gun!*

Then there is...this: Mystery Gunsmith Fixed Target Sights/Hammers

I don't know who did these sights (and one hammer) and if *anyone* can point me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful. I would love to find out who did this great work. I have suspects, but I've not been able to confirm. At this time I'm kind of thinking maybe Pacific did them.

That first one seems to have been dropped at one time;

In any case the work is very good. I know this type of job was done quite a bit for military matches, but I think (as is the case of my King with upgraded sights that went to the SFPD) some guys just wanted better sights.

Again, if anyone can fill me in on who did those sights/hammer I'd be very grateful.

keith44spl · #50 03-09-2020, 05:36 PM

My tool room rendition....

.