442 sight improvement: help sought

[jimmyrabbit]

Anybody ever done anything to improve the sights (so-called) on a 442? I just now put some sight paint on the ramp and on the vertical part of the rear notch. It's just paint, and I know it isn't going to last through much going into and out of the pocket holster. Might there be some truly good way to put something on that barrel that a person could actually see when in dim lighting situations?

My .22 practice revolver, the 43C has a nice big white dot out front but, as with the 442, nothing but a black notch at the back; the dot is helpful but not nearly great.

I had Trijicon sights on a Glock a few years ago, and that was actually really good (all green). I certainly can't pay for Trijicon sights on my 442, even if that could be done––but still, there might be a good way to get a good dim-lighting sight picture. Tell me what you know, guys.

 

[Hapworth]

A 442 is essentially a close quarters personal defense weapon. If ever used for its intended purpose, it's unlikely sight picture will play a meaningful role -- it'll be point and shoot.

For that reason, I wouldn't worry too much about the sights. They can be frustrating for target practice, but they're not really designed for that.

Nonetheless, if it gnaws at you, suggest you find glow in the dark paint and apply gently along the serrated front blade; I'd leave the rear trench alone. It ain't pretty, but that's the closest you'll come to replicating a Trijicon on the cheap.

Alternative is save a little cash here an there and when you have enough pay a qualified revolversmith to install an XS Big Dot up front.

 

[JohnK]

Actually, properly applied, Testors model paint lasts pretty well.

I degreased the sights on my 642, before applying the paint with a Q-Tip.

I carry the gun a LOT, in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. So far, the paint is in perfect condition (several YEARS of carrying).

Not hard to re-apply, if needed.

 

[Edmo]

I coated my front sight with blaze orange "Jig and Lure Finish" that I found in the fishing section at Gander Mountain.

If going for a color coating, use a base coat of white and the color coat will be much brighter and vibrant. So far this coating seems to be tougher than paint and shows no wear or fading after many range and cleaning sessions on several of my guns.

Another option is Crimson Trace laser grips. They have extended and compact versions with either red or green laser color. My 642CT came from S&W with the red 305 extended grip version. Grip the gun and the laser comes on... No extra buttons to fumble with like some other lasers out there.

You can always sell the grips if you don't like them, however there is no cheap do-over on the the machining required to install a new front sight.

OBTW, "glow in the dark" paint sounds good, however from the practical sense it will need some illumination source to generate a glow. My holster is a pretty dark place.

Just my thoughts.

Edmo

 

[jimmyrabbit]

Thank you all for some good input. BTW, I have been doing almost all my shooting up close and without aiming, but am now wanting to do some aimed shooting––that's how the issue of the sights is coming to my attention now. My .22 43C has one of those XS big dots out front, and it's really nice––that points my attention to the sights of the 442, and that's what got me to put the paint on there yesterday. That paint is still drying. I did a good job using a little vice, a jeweler's loupe, Bright Sights paint (white), and a toothpick. Tedious going, but I made a pretty good application. Cleaned the blade first with alcohol, Q-tip and a .22 bore brush. We'll see.

Another issue is that the .38 bangs my hand and causes joint pain that endures. I'm thinking now that I'm going to do my practice with the .22 only. I've been going to the range and mixing it up shooting some .22 and some .38, but the pain in the hand joints is scaring me. I hope to be alive for another couple of decades and want to have pain-free hands if possible. I'm thinking that I'm going to limit my shooting to the .22, and do dry firing with the 442 so as to stay accustomed to the lighter trigger pull on that gun. I'll still pack the 442 around with +P hollow points in it, but use that gun for "pretend" shooting only––at least that's the plan I have cooked up right now. I have to be honest with myself and admit that I'm getting to be more physically fragile all the time, and, to quote Larry Potterfield: "That's the way it is."


There's no time like the present.

 

[lrmnut]

I agree with the crimson trace laser I to have the 642 with the extended grip not so good for pocket carry, but you would be surprised how good you will learn to point shoot after practiceing with the laser.

 

[Old cop]

I use the large target Pachmeyer grips on my 442 for aimed and protracted (e.g., 50 + rounds) shooting. It saves me the pain in my hand joints and I can swap out for the peanut grips w/a grip adapter (my EDC mode) for close in drills.

I paint my front sight w/white appliance touch-up paint available in any hardware store. The paint lasts a long time and is not hard to reapply as needed.

 

[coach22]

There used to be a company called Lee's Red Ramps.
They would be at gun shows in Southern California.
You'd drop off your gun and pick it up a couple of hours later.
He'd do them in almost any color you wanted.
Thie sight looked like it was factory installed.
I have no idea if they are still in business.
I bought my 49 back in 1984.

 

[jimmyrabbit]

Lee's Red Ramps … hmmm. Thanks. And, appliance paint––another good idea. About the Crimson Trace: I have a set and I keep them in their little box. I find that when those grips are on the gun I look for the red dot first thing, and then try to make the aim be perfect … and that all takes a lot of time. I'd rather develop the skill to be able to truly "point and shoot." I'm working on that a couple of times a week at the range now using my .22 snubby (43C). And, I have to mention, Glock's new 42 is looking good, maybe, to me. Not that I'm going to go out and buy one right now, but the gun looks good, and after reading a review of .380 ammo at shootingthebull.net, I'm thinking that a .380 might be good for me to carry. Check out that review; it's very lengthy and seems to have been well run … and there are videos on YouTube if you've got the time. Just another something to think about, the mouse-gun caliber, I mean. Thanks for you advice, guys. And, oh––anyone ever get an FFL license? I'm wondering if being a holder of an FFL would open a door to easier acquisition of .22 ammo, and, actually, all ammo and guns. Anybody ever done that?

 

[TACC1]

jimmyrabbit,
I had trouble with the grips on my 442; they'd
really tear me up. The 642 wasn't a problem, older
boot grips/ different type of rubber or something.
Get yourself a set of C-T 305 laser grips. They're a
bit longer than standard grips, but haven't had a problem
either in holster or pocket carry.
If it was me, I'd do ALL my practice with the .22
until your thumb quits hurting. You don't NEED to shoot
the .38's, 'cuz you've already got the muscle memory.
** The C-T grips cover the backstrap, too. Hope this helps...
TACC1

 

[jimmyrabbit]

TACC1
Thanks for your interest. I already have a set of Crimson Trace grips and I just don't like that red dot out there. I realize that I could just turn off the laser, but then I'd still have the extra bulk in my hand and in my pocket. I have a set of wooden grips on order from Craig Spegel. His grips for J-frames have a lot of good comments here and there. I spoke with him on the phone (he does not do email) about this issue and he said that his somewhat fatter grips would help me with this joint problem. You say that the muscle memory is in my hand, and that's true, but the trigger on the .38 is a lot easier to pull than is the trigger of the .22. That's the reason I want to try the dry-fire routine with the 442 … keep the specific pull strength in my muscle memory. I wouldn't want to fire at a person and squeeze too hard too soon and expose myself/waste a round/maybe shoot some bystander. On the issue of shooting the .22 –– that's almost a joke considering that I just can't find .22 ammo. I have some, but not a lot. I'm limiting myself to two boxes per week, and might have to cut down from there.

 

[Mister X]

A 442 is a close quarter personal defense weapon, not a target range gun or service sidearm, so it really doesn't need better sights. Many "belly guns" don't even have sights at all since they really aren't crucial at the distances(3 yards or less) the vast majority(90%+) of civilian self-defense situations occur. Read this Sights - What and Why?

 

[M3Stuart]

Oh yea. I had that issue with my 642 pro. To fix that issue I moved the target closer.

 

[acco40]

I have had very good success with the fishing lure paint. You might also want to check out Bright Sights.

Bright Sights high visibility gun sight coatings - Warren Custom Outdoor Products

 

[shawn mccarver]

The hobby stores sell a type of paint that glows in the dark, sort of like the little parts in the dial of a wrist watch. A friend of mine always used this on his carry guns and it never really came off from carry or holstering. If it did start to wear off, the little bottle could be used to re-apply the stuff. I suppose one little bottle would last you the rest of your life.

 

[hotrod150]

...And, oh––anyone ever get an FFL license? I'm wondering if being a holder of an FFL would open a door to easier acquisition of .22 ammo, and, actually, all ammo and guns. Anybody ever done that?

There's a thing called the law of unintended consequences. Having an FFL sounds great- cheaper prices from distributors, being able to have guns shipped directly to you, etc. But it's my understanding that an FFL not only has to keep records of all gun sales for x number of years, but also that he has to allow 24/7 access to his place of business for the authorities (BATF?) to inspect his compliance with all the terms of that FFL license.

 

[jimmyrabbit]

I hardly ever buy a gun, so keeping records wouldn't be much of anything at all, and as for the 24/7 access … I'd list my home as my place of business, and if authorities wanted to come in and look around it wouldn't be much of a bother as long as they took off their shoes so they didn't dirty-up the carpet. I live in a pretty small town and I don't think impromptu inspection would be much of an issue––but I don't actually know that. Mostly I'd be interested in a FFL so I might be able to get .22 ammo, and that's it. Do you know, hotrod150, if a man with a FFL can be upstream from the ordinary man in the street when it comes to getting .22 ammo?

 

[Biggfoot44]

The Spegal grips will help a lot.

For front sight colorization I like dollar store nail polish. Huge color selection , and easier removal than paint if you want to try different colors. I usually only colorize the front , and leave the rear alone , but experement with what works for you.

For guns carried all day , every day , it will need touchup every cpl months. But only takes 30sec to apply , and 5-10min to dry , and $1.00 gets you a lifetime supply.

 

[PR24]

Here's what I did on my 638. XS standard size tritium front. Requires a gunsmith to machine down the OEM ramp to a tenon & then glue it on. The sight has a hole in the bottom for the tenon. My smith used marine epoxy, it's like concrete on there. Much improved sight picture & glows too. The XS Big Dot provides a really big picture. Too big for me, but some dig it.

 

[jimmyrabbit]

PR24: All that machining must've cost you, eh? I'm going back and forth with the wish to buy a 340PD and carry that loaded with .38+P, or, just keep the 442 and not worry about the little bit of extra weight. Keeping the gun I've got and "marrying it", so to speak, would be the easier thing to do, and the cheaper thing too. But … the 340PD is a little lighter in the pocket. So, with this situation I'm not going to spend for a machining job on the front ramp, etc. Good picture. Thanks. I see in myself that there's a wish to have toys, and then there's a wish to have a tool. My 442 is a good tool, but then that wish for a new toy comes sneaking into my mind and tries to bull**** me into thinking that the tool isn't really all that good. I don't really have the money nor the wish to have a collection of guns (3 is plenty) and so for me buying a 340PD would mean getting rid of the 442. And the mind game plays on and on.