29-2 rear sight size

[trevorsworth]

Hi guys. A while back I got a really rough 8 3/8" Model 29 as part of a trade. The gun was completely inoperable when I received it. Due in part to a prior owner's drug habits, it was in need of every kind of service and repair under the sun but it was a fun project.

Unfortunately, the gun had been dropped several times, which led to the rear sight leaf and windage screw getting broken. The previous owner tried unsuccessfully to remove the windage screw, then tried to remove the entire sight assembly and managed to totally ruin the front screw as well as deeply gouging the sight body itself.

The gun still shot fine since the one intact side of the sight was enough to bullseye all day long, but last time I took it out it bothered me more than usual so today I cut a screwdriver to fit the mangled slot and finally managed to get it out.

Considering the broken windage screw, broken sight leaf, ruined front screw and damaged sight body, I'm just going to replace the entire assembly. But how do I know what size sight leaf to use? Is there a way to know without using calipers to measure the surviving half of mine? (I don't have calipers.)

 

[wetdog]

You will need a .160 rear sight leaf with or without white outline. From the Kuhnhausen shop manual.Part #4078 is W/O.

 

[Jack Flash]

He got so high he hallucinated that he was a gunsmith? I hope he doesn't have any more guns!

Numerich / Gun Parts shows the .160 inch N-Frame rear sight assembly as out of stock. At least they give the product number as 321030, so that may help. Looks like you would have to buy the front screw separately. Here is the web page:
Smith & Wesson Model 27-2 Parts | Numrich

Jack First's website didn't show it in stock either. Maybe post a wanted to buy in the forum classifieds. Or look on GunBroker or eBay.

 

[trevorsworth]

He got so high he hallucinated that he was a gunsmith? I hope he doesn't have any more guns!

Numerich / Gun Parts shows the .160 inch N-Frame rear sight assembly as out of stock. At least they give the product number as 321030, so that may help. Looks like you would have to buy the front screw separately. Here is the web page:
Smith & Wesson Model 27-2 Parts | Numrich

Jack First's website didn't show it in stock either. Maybe post a wanted to buy in the forum classifieds. Or look on GunBroker or eBay.

Unfortunately he had several last I heard, inherited from his grandfather. A family member wheedled this one out of him and ended up giving it to me as part of a trade.

I will probably just order a .126 assembly from Numrich + a .160 slide and swap the slides out. There's one on eBay that would be a little less, but it has no outline and I want the outline.

In fact I may just take this opportunity to upgrade to an LPA sight.

 

[wetdog]

Check Brownells also

 

[Jack Flash]

Someone has a pre-27 sight with the .160" blade with the white outline for sale in the classifieds. You might want to verify in advance it will fit your revolver as he says "no refunds".
WTS S&W pre model 27 Rear Sight

 

[Pizza Bob]

That pre-27 sight is checkered - the 29 sights were not. You might try eBay for the sight. Blade height doesn't matter as you can replace the blade - they come in a kit with the windage screw. You need to make sure that the critical dimension of the sight you buy is correct for your gun (top picture)

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[H Richard]

The factory can supply the sight leaf in any size, but probably not the older sight assembly. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Jack Flash]

I looked on the S&W website and couldn't find any parts (outside of spare magazines). Do you just have to call Customer Service?
(800) 331-0852

 

[sbrmike]

That is me with the pre 27 rear sight .160" high, white outline. It actually fits my model 66-1 better than the rear sight on my 66-1 when I got it. The hole spacing is the same on both but the pre 27 sight has about a 3/16" longer leg in the front after the screw; it goes all the way to the barrel. My 66-1 is 1979 vintage.

ETA: My 66-1 sight fits like your 29-2 with the front of the sight ending short of the barrel. The pre 27 sight goes all the way to the front of the frame.

 

[H Richard]

Call Customer Service and see if they can't provide it.