W/O Rear Site Blade on 29-4

[wallyccspd]

Good Afternoon All, and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!:

While waiting for the tribe to come over and devour a refrigerator full of food, I figured I'd go and wipe down some guns in the safe.

Long ago, I bought this 29-4 4" Revolver, SN BBYxxxx that has a messed up rear site blade. It is twisted/distorted; assuming it was dropped.

Is there a particular part number site blade that I can order from Smith, and is it difficult to replace?

I also have another one on a 27-2 where the WO paint was wiped out either by accident or by intent of the prior owner. While I am partial to plain black site, I am of the mind that I should consider restoring the WO markings.

Am I better off just buying another insert from Smith on this revolver, or will a china marker stick to fill in the crevices suffice?

Deeply appreciate your insight on this.

Wally

[Protocall_Design]

There are no crevices for the white paint or ink. It is very difficult to paint the WO freehand, I have never been able to do it. Best to measure the height of the blade and order what you need.

[muddocktor]

Wally, you can order the sight blade you need from S&W directly from off this page in their store. Measure your present site blade to see which one you need. And it's been a long, long while since I changed blades on my 27-2, but I don't remember it being particularly hard. You can always look on YouTube for a video showing how to change out the sight blade. As for the other revolver, I would try painting it back in first before buying another sight blade.

And a Merry Christmas to you and yours and I hope this helps you out!

[bigggbbruce]

You can order from S&W, they will accept the order but will probably not see it any time soon..

I've tried in the past only to be told through a phone call they are usually backordered.

I have better luck elsewhere for S&W "store" parts.

[BC38]

This is a pretty easy job. I recently started a thread about it here

Adjustable sight blade replacement

Another member provided info about this YouTube video by the folks at MidWay on how to do it.

YouTube

I'd start by seeing if you can get it apart without breaking the screw. If you can you'll be able to replace just the sight blade. I got lucky and mine came apart pretty easily - though I had to make my own spanner-bit.

Numrich has the blade alone for around $12. If you call and follow their voicemail system directions for placing an order it will give you a discount code that you can then use on their internet site to place an order. It changes daily but the code is usually good for a $4.95 discount on shipping - which almost completely covers the shipping cost of the sight blade.

If you need the blade, screw, & stop nut, you can get them as a kit on eBay for $17 (free shipping).

Good luck with it. Mine worked out to be really easy once I got my hands on the parts.

[armorer951]

Brownells has the blade and screw kits, but not all the sizes are in stock.....

SIGHT BLADE KIT, REAR, .146", WHITE OUTLINE | Brownells

Check the "sticky" under the FAQ section at the top of the Smithing page for more info on blade replacement.

[zonker5]

When you are taking the old sight blade off it is VERY easy to lose the detent plunger...and it's not too difficult to have it sail away when putting things back together.

I do mine inside a clear plastic bag so than when (not if) the spring goes swoosh the plunger is where you can find it.

[SLT223]

I believe you need the .146" height blade. You can do it yourself. Have the right size screw drivers so you don't make the screws ugly. Get ready to cage the spring loaded detent with your hand or rag so you don't launch it across the room.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by SLT223

...Get ready to cage the spring loaded detent with your hand or rag so you don't launch it across the room.

I'll second that. Be really careful putting it back together too. The plunger and spring are both REALLY tiny...

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by Toolguy

There are no crevices for the white paint or ink.

The older models had rear sight blades with a narrow groove around the notch which held the paint, unlike the current versions which are smooth & flat with minimal white paint applied for the outline. Saves them big $$. Times have changed.

.