5906 sight upgrade questions

[DocNugent]

1. My 5906 has the black, non-adjustable sights. If I can find an adjustable rear sight from a 5906 online, will it fit right into the slide's dovetail without modification? Any other S&W models' sights swappable into the 5906?
2. If I go adjustable on the rear, can I still use the front sight I have now, or is there a different front sight that 'goes with' the adjustable rear?
3. Does any other pistol brand have the same size/shape dovetail (e.g., Bersa 9s have the same dovetail as Springfield XD sights)?

Thanks for all info, leads, and clues,
M D 'Doc' Nugent (S&W newbie)

 

[jsbethel]

The dovetails for the factory fixed and adjustable sights are different (making the answer to question 1 no and nullifying question 2). I believe the answer to question 3 is also no.

If you are trying to replace a Novak rear sight, the easiest fix would be to get the Novak adjustable model.

S&W 3RD Generation 9MM

There have been other drop in rear adjustable sights in the past that might suit your needs (such as Pachmayr) but my familiarity with them is minimal as I have never wanted to replace fixed sights with adjustable sights. I'm sure others may chime in with other options.

If you have a 5906 with a pre-Novak blade-type fixed rear sight, I would say that any other adjustable sight you might find may require milling.

You could always search for another complete 5906 slide with factory adjustable sights.

 

[DocNugent]

Thanks for the help. I'm still learning (this is my first S&W), so I might not be using the correct nomenclature.

Attached is a photo of a rear sight like the one I have (there's a flat 1/2" area cut into the top of the slide rearward of the dovetail) and it has what may be a 1/16" pin or screw (too dirty to tell) going straight down into the rear of the dovetail.

What I've thought were the adjustable sights (factory or Novak?) had what looks like an adjusting screw on the right side of the rear sight and stainless steel side guards - mine has no such side adjuster or stainless side guards.

. . . so what do I have? Is the screw on top an adjuster, or just a fastener? I spent some time on the Novak site and like their fiber optic products (except for the price) - would they be 'bolt on' for me? Finally, just for curiosity, did S&W sell 5906's with the sights I have, or has mine already been upgraded by someone?

 

[TercGen]

Thanks for the help. I'm still learning (this is my first S&W), so I might not be using the correct nomenclature.

Attached is a photo of a rear sight like the one I have (there's a flat 1/2" area cut into the top of the slide rearward of the dovetail) and it has what may be a 1/16" pin or screw (too dirty to tell) going straight down into the rear of the dovetail.

What I've thought were the adjustable sights (factory or Novak?) had what looks like an adjusting screw on the right side of the rear sight and stainless steel side guards - mine has no such side adjuster or stainless side guards.

. . . so what do I have? Is the screw on top an adjuster, or just a fastener? I spent some time on the Novak site and like their fiber optic products (except for the price) - would they be 'bolt on' for me? Finally, just for curiosity, did S&W sell 5906's with the sights I have, or has mine already been upgraded by someone?

That is a factory fixed sight pictured, and I believe the screw is just to secure it in place. Most of the factory sights like this I have seen don't even have the screw, and stay put just fine.

Though I don't know much about it, I believe the LPA TPU Rear Sight will work for the 5906: LPA TPU Rear Sight S&W 3rd Generation Semi Auto Novak Rear Sight 9mm My understanding is that it will work with your existing factory front sight, and no adjustment is needed to the dovetail.

 

[DocNugent]

TruGlo makes sight sets for the S&W M&P (e.g., SKU: TG131MPTY) - will these fit/work on the 3rd Gen 5906, or are the dovetails different-sized?

 

[TercGen]

There's a number of sights out there designed for the 5906 already that are known to work. I'd recommend sticking to one of them, even if the dovetails are the same. Also, I think the 9mm M&P's have a longer sight radius than the 5906, and the sight heights would be different.

Personally, I have had almost no issues with the 3rd gen fixed sights shooting to point of aim. My 457 shot a bit low for me with factory sights, but it could also have been my trigger handling with this particular gun.

 

[DocNugent]

Thanks for all the leads and info. I've learned there are three rear sight dovetails (small blade, step-bottomed 'Novak' style, and large flat bottom for the side guide that's under the factory adjustable sight). Mine is the stepped 'Novak' style. Apparently all front sight dovetails are the same.

What I think I'd like is this combo (if they won't work together or have other issues, please let me know):
FRONT: Dawson Precision Perfect Impact (exact model of fiber optic not yet selected) - $39.00
REAR: LPA TPU91SW18 (adjustable with white goalpost) - $61.99

According to the mfgrs, no milling of my slide would be necessary.

Your thoughts?

 

[brentb636]

Well, I've put Dawson Precision front sights on two of my LadySmith 9mm's, and XS BigDots ( front and rear) on another Lady Smith and a 4513TSW. In each case, there was a little metal that had to be taken off the bottom of the sight to fit them. Several passes over a fine tooth file is what I did, and they all installed without a hitch.
For my purposes ( giving a big , very visible front sight for my tired eyes), I find the stock Dawson rods to be too small, so I drill out the front sight holes and install a .060" rod in place of the standard rod. Works for me.
Brent

 

[epj]

Thanks for all the leads and info. I've learned there are three rear sight dovetails (small blade, step-bottomed 'Novak' style, and large flat bottom for the side guide that's under the factory adjustable sight). Mine is the stepped 'Novak' style. Apparently all front sight dovetails are the same.

What I think I'd like is this combo (if they won't work together or have other issues, please let me know):
FRONT: Dawson Precision Perfect Impact (exact model of fiber optic not yet selected) - $39.00
REAR: LPA TPU91SW18 (adjustable with white goalpost) - $61.99

According to the mfgrs, no milling of my slide would be necessary.

Your thoughts?

That's exactly what I would pick. The rear works with the factory front, so get a front about the same height. Those gen3 rear sights can be a bear to get off without a sight pusher. Put some penetrating oil in the set screw hole and let it sit overnight. The bottom of the carbon steel sight will probably have some rust on it. Every one Ive taken of has had it.