I just bought a used 64-5 4" which appears to be a LE-trade-in. The front sight post has a drilled hole (approx. 0.070 in. diameter) drilled through the front sight post center paralleling the barrel, and at the rear of the top strap are two round inserts (approx. same diameter), one on each side of the sighting channel facing rearward.
Years ago I had an earlier version M-64 which did not have these inserts.
They appear almost like 'tritium inserts' but no glow was detected from them in a darkened room.
What have I got and can the inserts (both fore and aft) be replaced?
Echo47

Can you post pics buddy? May be custom or homebrew.

Most likely old night sights, but a picture would really help.

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NRA Benefactor Member

These do sound to be "expired" tritium night sight inserts. If they are a Trijicon product they will redo them for a modest cost; if you post a photo someone will probably recognize the maker.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Sorry I failed to include photos with the original inquiry!
Attached are three photos:
(1) looking forward down top of barrel with drilled hole in to of front sight post
(2) looking toward muzzle and front of (front) sight (looks like some dropped it (fortunately) on the front sight, and not the muzzle!
(3) looking foward from rear of top strap rear sight channel.

Thanks!
Echo47

Attached Images

	GEDC0103.JPG (151.0 KB, 188 views)
	GEDC0104.JPG (143.2 KB, 187 views)
	GEDC0106.JPG (146.6 KB, 201 views)

They are expired tritium inserts. Front sight may take some work to restore it before a new insert is installed.

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NRA Benefactor Member

That is a custom aftermarket upgrade though isn't it? I'm not an expert, just interested in knowing.

Aftermarket night sights. Too bad someone dropped it on the front sight.

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Centennial Every Day

It's probably worth an email and sending the photos to Trijicon, to see if it is their product and a repair quote if so.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Over the weekend, I decided I would contact a local gunsmith who does phenomenal work and to attempt to reach ToolTech, a local company, recommended on the S-WForum for front sight replacement options for my LE-trade-in 64-5 4" barrel revolver.
Asking around, I was able to locate and contact the 'new number' for Tooltech Gunsight (Custom installer of Trijicon Night Sights – 248.628.1811) at their location in Oxford, MI (just up the road from my home in Birmingham).
Taking the 64-5 with me, the owner 'recognized' his work on the tritium inserts and we discussed a number of front sight replacement options.
As I didn't really need tritium insert replacements, we agreed he will mill off the old front sight, cut a channel parallel to the bore for the new patridge front sight, and pin it in place. Once completed, the new front sight will be the same height as the original front sight, so it 'should' still be accurate at 15 yds. with 158gr SWC loads.
I planned to paint the 'business side' of the front sight with an old favorite, Testor's bright yellow model paint, which is a product I'd used for thirty years while shooting an original Maynard Civil War .50 cal. carbine competing in North-South Skirmish Assn. carbine competitions at breakable targets at 25- and 50-yd ranges (clay pidgeons on cardboard backer, 4" ceramic tiles suspended by wire from a crossbeam, and my favorite, regulation bowling pins, also hanging from a crossbeam)! Bright yellow is one of the few colors I can readily see at my advanced age.
The paperwork was completed, I surrendered my 64-5, and expect to pick up the completed-with-new-front-sight 64-5 within the next 8-10 weeks. Stay tuned with photos to follow!
Echo47

Sounds like a nice modification. I look forward to seeing the photos of the completed work.

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Centennial Every Day

Since he is doing all this custom front sight work anyway, why not have him install a bright yellow insert (square "bead") on the face of the Patridge blade, like the factory version, instead of painting it. Paint, while functional, looks kind of Mickey Mouse IMO.

What are you doing about the rear sight/inserts?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I sure want to see how this turns out! Good luck

Well, gentlemen, I finally picked up my repaired M64-5 yesterday. Rather than mill a groove for the pinned patridge front sight, Tooltech cut a dovetail in my front sight base and inserted a separate front sight of the same height as the original so I'm GTG for 158gr SWCs at the gun range.
It wasn't worth removing the rear tritium inserts and filling the holes, so I'll just paint them over with flat black Testor's paint. Down-and-dirty!
He is very busy and the repair took six weeks but only cost $165 for the dove-tail into the front sight base and the custom insert.
I've posted photos of the "before and after" in S&W revolvers: 1961-1980 under the heading: "Front sight repair to M64-5"
Echo47