"J Frame Snub Owners: What is your favorite sight model preference?"

Iron Sight: Plain Black / Silver
Iron Sight: Plain with custom paint color
Fiber Optic: Red or Green
White Dot: XS Big Dot
Night Sight: XS Big Dot
Aftermarket: i.e. D&L J frame, etc, etc.

Also, has anyone made modifications to their front sight to suit their ammunition preference for greater accuracy? Or... do you prefer the sight in stock form?

Plain blue or stainless; however the gun comes equipped from the factory.

Least favorite- fiber optic, followed by all others in no particular order. Take the time to practice and master these little revolvers, something many don't do because it can't be done instantly.

Once skill is developed, then "consider" a change if you must. You'll likely find straight-out-of-the box works very well.

I usually just hit it with Orange Neon paint. My LCR has a red fiber optic.

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Watch & Pray

Although not on the list, I've had a CT laser on my model 60 snub for over a decade. I'm consistently faster and more accurate with it compared to my model 36.

It's hard to see in daylight beyond 5.-7 yards but the front sight is painted fluorescent orange, which also works for me. Surprisingly last week I made a 65-yard hit on a 11x14 steel plate with it. Just lucky I guess.

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I like plain sights. Don't care for Fiber Optic.

I am very partial however to my 640 Pro night sights. Useable sights on a JFrame is a plus to me.

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Go ahead... make my day.

I'm kinda "traditional." I think modifying the front sight is not a good idea. Now, if we're adding an adjustable rear, I would want a ramp front. Had a 3" J done like that back in the 80s that turned out really nice. I guess that's "all or nothing"....

Why not? Just curious.

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I like a .100 wide, by whatever height you need fiber optic from Dawson on my 3 inch J frames, and anything else for that matter. The sight picture with the thinner front sight works very well for me, (always makes me think of the 03-A3 sight picture). They are available in plain black for those F/O averse.

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Im pleased with the factory fiber optic sights on my 360 PD. Target acquisition in day light is excellent and amazingly decent in low light. I have never felt the need to change them.

I am usually content with the factory sights. However, I like my 629-4 and 610-1 and their their ability to quickly change between gold bead and FO.

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213th FBINA

I only have one handgun with night sights which came as original equipment on my current EDC, a 2021-vintage Model 640-1 Pro. I find these quite easy to pick up both day and night and would consider replacing with same when the inevitable time comes.

All of my other handguns - J and K snubs from late-1960’s thru early-1990’s - sport their original metal, red ramp, or adjustable sights - which I find suitable for their intended purpose.

I think the fiber optic is distracting. Mostly plain black, for sometimes add the bright orange paint on the snub's.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The standard integral ramp front sight on Chief's Specials never bend, fall off, scratch off, dull or move. IMHO the Chief's Special Snubby is a SD gun and not meant for target competition, squirrel hunting, splitting playing cards etc. Personally I've just let mine stay factory - at SD distances of 2-5 yards I doubt it would really be used anyway. My favorite is what came with a standard model Chief's Special in the early 1990's - a 1/8" ramp.

That said, there are always a few that need to play with it including my own Dad. He was a precision shooter and would often compete in his LE Agency's side matches and BUG matches. He modified his circa 1951 - 1952 built 2" I/J frame front sight to be right on with the ammo he was using at the time. Personally I would not have done that, but it was his gun and his decision. Now that better SD ammo is readily available for this gun, his precision adjusted sight is no longer accurate with today's ammo. IMHO he made a mistake - but again, he never asked me. Pictures below....

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I’m happy with the simple sights Smith provides on their standard J frames.

I’ve no use for fiber optic front sights, glowing night sights or white dots. I find they slow things down for me.

Your dad did a great job on his revolver, if I could have something like that, with my fathers impact on it I'd cherish it.

For me to do my best on accuracy with different weight bullets and low to high fps ammo test on paper targets and chrony work

I found that I need a little nial polish on the front sight to get a better sight picture on a B & W target, for me, in the field.

I found that yellow works for me in sun light but have heard that hot orange or green might also fill the bill?

I'm not color blind............. yet.

Red nail polish on the front sight of my 649-2 which has Crimson Trace laser grips.

My favorite Js have adjustable sights, 34-1.

My buddy had a Gemini customs sp101 and it’s got the XS big dot on it. Sure wish I could have that on my 638!!

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I didn't like the original black ramp on my 649-5. I experimented with white and red paint, but didn't like those options either. When I pulled the original sight and pinned in a Big Dot, the sight picture and speed of target acquisition improved immensely.

I liked the Big Dot so much that I also put one on my L-frame 296.

Eyes all do the same job, but maybe in ways that differ from individual to individual. It's not a matter of which sight is best, but which one gives a person comfort and confidence in the circumstance of the moment.

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David Wilson

For me that depends on the use of the firearm and the way that I am carrying it. Though I have never been a fan of fiber optic sights

When I carried my BUG in an ankle rig, I had a model 60 Chiefs Special Target until the J-Magnum was released. Love that big Shark Fin

I got tired of waiting for the J-Magnum Chiefs Special Target to get created

Now that I am older, for Personal Defense when carried in a pocket, I like laser. Great behind a barricade, you do not need a direct line of sight across the top strap to aim.

The only time I played with changing sights, I milled a U channel down a Model 640 and mounted a Ashley BIG Dot NS. We also vapor blasted that one to give it a non-reflective medium grey color. I need to dig it out and photograph it

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"Acta non verba"

@colt_saa

"For me that depends on the use of the firearm and the way that I am carrying it. Though I have never been a fan of fiber optic sights"

"When I carried my BUG in an ankle rig, I had a model 60 Chiefs Special Target until the J-Magnum was released. Love that big Shark Fin

I got tired of waiting for the J-Magnum Chiefs Special Target to get created

Now that I am older, for Personal Defense when carried in a pocket, I like laser. Great behind a barricade, you do not need a direct line of sight across the top strap to aim.

The only time I played with changing sights, I milled a U channel down a Model 640 and mounted a Ashley BIG Dot NS. We also vapor blasted that one to give it a non-reflective medium grey color. I need to dig it out and photograph it"



What a great collection you have sir. Very nice!

As for myself, I have kept all of my j frame(s) front sight in stock form, whether it would be the standard ramped front sight with and without color filler, fiber optic: red/green, as well as the factory xs sight with tritium and without. I think perhaps, I might consider a CTC laser in the near future, but I do find all the different j frame sight variations seem to work very well at longer distances beyond 7 yards or so.

Stock sights on all mine - stainless, blue, and nickel. I use a little white appliance paint on the top grooves of all for a bit of a contrasting dot to help.

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Heavily armed old man.

I’m not much into modifying my revolvers... except years ago I put some orange paint on the front sight of my blued 36 and then black paint on the front sight of my 940 when I bought it All these years later the paint is still there. I’ve not bothered painting the front sight on any of the J frames I’ve purchased since then though.

BTW, I’ve never felt the need to modify any springs on my revolvers. It all comes down to practicing with them, which is one of life’s pleasures for me anyway.