442-1 Modifications?

[ImDrRich]

Need you guys opinions on something I'm thinking about doing.

I wish I had a picture to post but I don't. Somehow without realizing, I hit my 442-1 at the end of the sight channel (closest to my shooting hand). A very small but noticeable (to me) "dent" is there.

Wondering if I should have a gunsmith install a rear sight such as the one pictured here:



Forgive the rotten picture.

I would also consider have a front site milled in but that's not a must.

Please give me your honest opinions. Leave out "if you're not happy with the 442-1 then sell it," because I like the gun but am not happy with the current situation.

Thanks gentlemen.

 

[cbb]

I have been pocket carrying my 642-1 since 1996. I have blacked out the rear 'sight' and painted the front sight green. Not exactly what you are looking for but a lot cheaper.

 

[walkin' trails]

I think it's worth of pursuing. If you find a good gunsmith who will do it, please post their contact information.

 

[326MOD10]

I would be concerned that the cost of having the work done with parts, etc... would be more than just buying a new 442.

In the end it would be your option but something to think about.

Could a gunsmith widen the back channel out so that the dent becomes part of a new normal and isn't so noticeable to you?

 

[Beju]

I don't think that there's a perfect/cheap solution for you.

A regular notch rest sight J-frames has less material at the back than the UC, which may make a rear sight install less durable or compromise frame integrity. In your posted picture, you can see how the UC's top strap groove stops ahead of the rear sight.

326MOD10's suggestion is probably safer, but if the dent bothers you, you'd probably also want your frame recoated to cover up where the gunsmith modifies it.

3rd option, you can find UC models in the mid $600s these days. I quite like my 642UC after it got fixed (my early model came with a dead night sight and an out of spec yoke). My 442UC was fine out of the box. Triggers are pretty good out of the box, and I find the XS front sight to be quite helpful in mediocre lighting.

 

[serger]

With my carry guns I try real hard and have 2. One I carry that gets all the knocks and dings. The other ends up being the showroom one. I keep it in the safe as the back up for when the carry one gets squashed by King Kong.

Having said that, if you can stand it, what "I" would do is hit the rear sight area with a Majic Marker and go down the road with it. Then "I" would dry fire it 15 minutes a day, 2 to 3 times a week for a couple months. At the end of that time, my muscle memory would be greatly improved and with CBT normalization, the ding would just be there, a normal part of the guns landscape.