Model 69 taller front sight blade?

[Elkins45]

I just bought a new model 69 and got a chance to shoot it this week. Unfortunately with the rear sight bottomed out it still shoots about 5” high at 25 yards.

Could I just call up S&W and request a taller front sight or do I need to order one from somewhere? If so, what’s a good source?

[Protocall_Design]

I make standard and custom S&W revo sights. Maybe I can help.

[Alk8944]

S&W provides rear sight slides in several heights. The correct way is install a lower slide instead of a taller front sight.

[CALREB]

Elkins, Depending on how tall the rear slide is that is an easier option and leaves you some adjustment without having to worry if a taller front sight will fit in your holster.
But as I have gotten older, I changed a couple of my target type revolvers ,with tall front sights, from patridge type to the Dawson Precision fiber optic fronts. Their sights have nice sharp edges and the red fiber optic is really nice in lower light hunting or faster acquisition. . They make plain black fronts also, in an assortment of widths and heights. Just an option ,Not sure how tall you can find the red ramped fronts in . Bob

[shocker]

Originally Posted by Elkins45

I just bought a new model 69 and got a chance to shoot it this week. Unfortunately with the rear sight bottomed out it still shoots about 5” high at 25 yards.

Could I just call up S&W and request a taller front sight or do I need to order one from somewhere? If so, what’s a good source?

I sent my 66 back for a taller front sight blade as mine was doing the same as yours. Tell them the gun is shooting high with rear sight all the way down and they treat it like a warranty repair. Free shipping and swap.
I filed the new blade a bit to get the rear sight in the middle of it's adjustment range at 25 yds.

[ExRanger714]

Have you tried a different bullet weight/velocity load?

Have somebody else shoot it or shoot it off a sandbag, using proper sandbag form, of course

I shoot red ramp sights high because it's so hard to see the actual top of the sight I just usually go with the top of the insert.

[Dave Lively]

I bought a 69 shortly after they came out and had the same problem. The solution was a shorter rear sight blade. Part of the installation process for installing a new blade is to twist a screw until you break it in two so it is not considered a user replaceable part.

As shocker mentioned this is considered warranty work and S&W will want you to send the gun back. That is what I did and they installed a whole new rear sight assembly with the shorter blade and sent back the original one too. It would have been much more convenient if they would have just sent me the new sight but that is not the way they do things.

I would have preferred a taller front sight. The shorter blade means the notch is not as deep as I would like which makes it harder to see.

[HamHands]

That is unacceptable no matter what grain load you are shooting OP. I'd call Smith up today when they open. Out of the 5 times I've dealt with them over the last 10 years... I've have 5 elating experiences with Smiths Customer Service. Each time they've been more than happy to send me parts to fix the problems on both my Revo's and Semi-Auto's. And Smith was elated to do so because sending me the parts to swap out didn't involve me sending them the firearm to work on/diagnose as I'm more than capable of replacing a barrel nut, sights, sears, trigger return springs, etc. They will be happy to send you an appropriate sized rear sight/blade OP.

[dogdoc]

Originally Posted by Elkins45

I just bought a new model 69 and got a chance to shoot it this week. Unfortunately with the rear sight bottomed out it still shoots about 5” high at 25 yards.

Could I just call up S&W and request a taller front sight or do I need to order one from somewhere? If so, what’s a good source?

What load are you shooting( bullet weight and velocity) ?

[Elkins45]

Originally Posted by dogdoc

What load are you shooting( bullet weight and velocity) ?

I shot five different loads with bullet weights of 214, 240 and 310. The lightest load (214 at around 800 fps estimated) were only about 3” high. All the others were at higher velocity and were at least 5” above point of aim.

[twodog max]

I have the same problem with my 69 and 240 grain bullets although not quite as high impact as you do. I called S&W about it and promptly received a taller front sight and the pin to hold it. I have yet to install it. Reason being I am thinking of putting in a SDM gold bead.
With 200 grain bullets and full house loads it is dead on at 25 yards.
I really do not consider this a huge problem just something I will fix sometime.

[BLUEDOT37]

Which M69 are we discussing? The 4-1/4" bbl. or the 2-3/4" bbl.?

The 2-3/4" snubby already has a very short rear sight blade (~.114"). I can't imagine shooting it with a shorter one.

My M69 snubby's sights are well regulated but I only shoot 240gr bullets in it out to 15yds.

If any of the people who've received a taller front sight blade from S&W could tell us the size of the original & replacement blades that would help others with the same complaint/question.

.

[Elkins45]

Mine is 4.25”