|
|
01-04-2012, 03:50 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 1,288
Liked 3,398 Times in 576 Posts
|
|
Sight blade help - .126 .146 .160 - which height for which model / purpose?
I have 3 S&Ws which need rear sight blades for various reasons.
One is a pre model 29 4 screw 6.5in, the second is a 27-2 6in, and the third is a 686-3 4in.
I want white outline rear sights for each. I see that S&W carries them and I found a gunsmith to install them since it can be tricky or so I've read (I never did that before).
I'm wondering which sight height is a good choice for each model. For the 686-3, its going to be 50 yds or less shooting most often. For the 27-2, perhaps out to 100 yds. For the pre 29, I may want to shoot farther, so I want that opportunity.
I'm thinking for the 44 mag, since I may attempt longer shots, so .160 ? For the 2 357s I'm thinking .146 rear white outline sights. Am I right to want those sizes? Can anyone recommend anything? What sizes would they be from the factory?
|
01-04-2012, 03:55 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
Liked 53 Times in 39 Posts
|
|
I would suggest measuring the ones currently on the gun and then determine if the existing blade is correct or needs to be a little taller or shorter.
|
01-04-2012, 04:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
I recently changed the blade on a 4" 29-2, it took a .146". The customer service rep at S&W will tell you what you need based on model and barrel length. There is a lot of good information on the gunsmithing forum. If you read some of it and follow the directions that are included, it's not a bad job. Be aware that the new white outline blades have qute a thin line compared to the originals.
|
01-04-2012, 05:55 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Danville, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 286
Liked 621 Times in 185 Posts
|
|
After you find the sizes that you need, put a "WTB vintage rear W/O sight kits, list the sizes". There are those on the forum who have them. You will be much more satisfied with the older ones.
DLB
__________________
Be Kind! John 3:16,14:27
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-04-2012, 06:30 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 13,999
Liked 5,921 Times in 1,761 Posts
|
|
This kind of question gets asked often enough. I wish someone who had the info, as surely it exists, would make a list or chart showing the factory blade heights for various barrel lengths.
|
01-04-2012, 10:58 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SoCal - SGV
Posts: 468
Likes: 280
Liked 131 Times in 49 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by -db-
This kind of question gets asked often enough. I wish someone who had the info, as surely it exists, would make a list or chart showing the factory blade heights for various barrel lengths.
|
I've seen something like that somewhere. Perhaps in Kuhnhausen's book?
|
01-04-2012, 11:16 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 13,999
Liked 5,921 Times in 1,761 Posts
|
|
Kuhnhausen's chart is good if you want to find part numbers for various sight parts but it's not set up to tell you which blade heights correspond with barrel lengths.
|
01-05-2012, 12:08 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Homerville, Ohio
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 28,828
Liked 9,359 Times in 2,405 Posts
|
|
Here you go:
Last edited by bgrafsr; 04-13-2016 at 05:33 PM.
|
01-05-2012, 12:20 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 13,999
Liked 5,921 Times in 1,761 Posts
|
|
Outstanding, Bill, thank you. That should probably be posted as a "sticky" in the FAQ or Gunsmithing forum.
|
01-05-2012, 10:24 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ozarks of Missouri
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 3,009
Liked 2,924 Times in 992 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgrafsr
Here you go:
|
Bill,
Thanks for posting that great chart. For the same frame it appears, in general, that the longer the barrel the taller the sight blade . . . and that seems logical.
In the NT 38/357 frames that general rule seems to be the case. However, for the KT 38 frame it appears to be almost the opposite. A 2" shows .146", a 4" shows .106", and a 6 or 8 3/8" shows .126".
I believe the .106" entry for the 4" is a typo. Most of the blades I replace are 4" barrel KTs and I normally use a .146".
Please help set me straight.
Thanks, Russ
|
01-05-2012, 11:30 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Homerville, Ohio
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 28,828
Liked 9,359 Times in 2,405 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by linde
Bill,
Thanks for posting that great chart. For the same frame it appears, in general, that the longer the barrel the taller the sight blade . . . and that seems logical.
In the NT 38/357 frames that general rule seems to be the case. However, for the KT 38 frame it appears to be almost the opposite. A 2" shows .146", a 4" shows .106", and a 6 or 8 3/8" shows .126".
I believe the .106" entry for the 4" is a typo. Most of the blades I replace are 4" barrel KTs and I normally use a .146".
Please help set me straight.
Thanks, Russ
|
I didn't even think about the .106" entry, but I'm with you, it is more than likely a typo. I have never seen a .106" blade ever offered for sale.
The list, by the way, came from my armorer's books, which I got when I went to the armorer's school.
|
01-05-2012, 11:51 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,770
Likes: 19,890
Liked 23,194 Times in 8,516 Posts
|
|
Just one thing. If you do it yourself, I recommend you do the removal and replacement with the gun inside a large clear plastic bag. To remove the old blade you must "break" the staked end from the frame, the instructions tell you how. Then you back the blade all the way out, but the teeny tiny little plunger and spring have a nasty habit of flying out to places unknown, neve to be seen again. I still have one "somewhere" within the walls of my shop.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
01-05-2012, 02:14 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 388
Liked 558 Times in 292 Posts
|
|
.106 sight
Gents;
I have a factory S&W parts manual with a sight height chart. The .106 sight is indeed used on the model 15 and 67 with 4" barrels. I don't have scaning capability or I would have put the page in this reply.
Respectfully;
Mike
__________________
Mike
S&WCA #2470
|
01-05-2012, 03:16 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ozarks of Missouri
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 3,009
Liked 2,924 Times in 992 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmande
Gents;
I have a factory S&W parts manual with a sight height chart. The .106 sight is indeed used on the model 15 and 67 with 4" barrels. I don't have scaning capability or I would have put the page in this reply.
Respectfully;
Mike
|
Mike,
A complete parts list would be a neat addition . . . especially if the blades have part numbers. If you'll mail a copy to me, I'll scan and post it. Will send you a PM with mailing address.
Thanks much,
Russ
|
01-05-2012, 03:26 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Yorktown, Virginia
Posts: 802
Likes: 508
Liked 247 Times in 113 Posts
|
|
My 29-3 10-5/8" has the .160, specifically set up for silhouette shooting out to 100 yards. I suppose it would go to 200, with elevation.
|
01-09-2012, 06:56 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ozarks of Missouri
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 3,009
Liked 2,924 Times in 992 Posts
|
|
Our thanks to mmande for providing the following rear sight blade height chart. It provides essentially the same general information as the one provided by bgrafsr but with more specific model application detail . . . including part numbers.
Russ
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-11-2012, 10:38 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Russ this is exactly what I came here looking for today, thanks!
Trying to get my grandfather's 15-4 in good shape again.
JP
|
01-11-2012, 01:35 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ozarks of Missouri
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 3,009
Liked 2,924 Times in 992 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pittmanj22
Russ this is exactly what I came here looking for today, thanks! Trying to get my grandfather's 15-4 in good shape again. JP
|
Outstanding . . . glad we could help!
Welcome to the Forum . . . lots of great folks here. Come back often and, if you have time, share with us pictures of your grandfather's 15-4.
That's neat being able to provide care to a Smith & Wesson with a family connection.
Russ
|
04-11-2016, 09:48 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Between the Brandywines
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 632
Liked 2,984 Times in 1,091 Posts
|
|
I would like to change out the rear sight on my 4" 686-3 to a white outline. What would be the proper height? Would it be better to try to find an entire rear sight assembly with the proper dimensions, or just swap the blade? Where would it be best to look for the proper parts? What measurement do I need, or is the model number and barrel length enough?
|
04-13-2016, 02:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 11,721
Liked 9,063 Times in 3,209 Posts
|
|
For the proper height, just measure the one on your pistol right now. As for buying the sight itself, you can check the Smith & Wesson Store, or you can check Brownell's or Numrich Gun Parts Corp. S&W shows WO sights in .126, .146 and .160 sizes. If you can't get a measurement of your present sight for some reason, you can call S&W and ask them which one you need. And there is no need to change the whole assembly, as it's pretty easy to change out the rear sight blade.
|
04-13-2016, 04:57 PM
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 739
Liked 3,279 Times in 1,283 Posts
|
|
Like COLLECTS, I have changed sight blades from what they came with to accommodate my gun, chosen load and eyesight. With my 5 inch Model 27-2, when sighted in for 125 grain JHP .357 ammo at 25 yards, the sight was cranked way up, leaving little of the threads holding it in place. I put in a taller blade which let me crank the sight body back down to where it was more secure from being bumped. I think I had to swap out the blade in my Model 25-5 4 incher to get a POA/POI at 25 yards with factory 250-255 grain lead bullet factory ammo, too.
|
06-09-2018, 04:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Smoky Mountains, West NC
Posts: 764
Likes: 811
Liked 1,256 Times in 458 Posts
|
|
What, if anyone knows, would be the right height to get a 28-2 to shoot poa with 125 grain 357s at 25 yd. instead of low?
__________________
On the whistle draw and fire 6
|
06-09-2018, 04:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Cumberlands of TN
Posts: 80
Likes: 197
Liked 133 Times in 33 Posts
|
|
I think this might be what you're looking for:
FAQ
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-09-2018, 05:32 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Smoky Mountains, West NC
Posts: 764
Likes: 811
Liked 1,256 Times in 458 Posts
|
|
Thanks Nesmith! Big help and a lot of other fine info too. Regards JD
__________________
On the whistle draw and fire 6
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|