617 HiViz Sight Require a Sight Picture Change?

[InTheWoods]

Thinking of changing to a HiViz front sight on my 4" 617. I usually use some type of high visibility front sights (mostly red ramps) on my field/hunting guns and black patridge sights on my target guns. My 617 is mostly a field gun used in an often shady environment.

Anyway, the rear sight notch is rather shallow on the 617. I was wondering, from those that have them, can I maintain my normal sight picture (top of front sight level with top of rear sight) and still see the full face of the fiber optic circle? If not, I do not want them and will try Tester's enamel instead. Thanks for any relayed experience.

 

[wolverine]

Thinking of changing to a HiViz front sight on my 4" 617. I usually use some type of high visibility front sights (mostly red ramps) on my field/hunting guns and black patridge sights on my target guns. My 617 is mostly a field gun used in an often shady environment.

Anyway, the rear sight notch is rather shallow on the 617. (top of front sight level with top of rear sight) and still see the full face of the fiber optic circle? If not, I do not want them and will try Tester's enamel instead. Thanks for any relayed experience.

Afternoon InTheWoods


Probably not, on the S&W with round fiber optic front sight I usually have to take a small round needle file & make the bottom of the rear sight into a U shape to see the front sight fiber optic correctly. (no big deal as it only takes a few "careful" strokes with the file)-- Then a little touch-up with a bluing pen.

Or you can probably buy a new U notch rear sight blade & cross screw/nut from S&W then just swap them out.

 

[lscocoa]

I have a 617-6 with a 4" barrel which I bought the red Hiviz sight made for the 617 and I have never regretted it since . It is used for everything especially field use and has contributed to the demise of various small game critters . As far as sight picture it fits in perfect , so I would recommend going with it . Good shooting !

 

[one eye joe]

Afternoon InTheWoods


Probably not, on the S&W with round fiber optic front sight I usually have to take a small round needle file & make the bottom of the rear sight into a U shape to see the front sight fiber optic correctly. (no big deal as it only takes a few "careful" strokes with the file)-- Then a little touch-up with a bluing pen.

Or you can probably buy a new U notch rear sight blade & cross screw/nut from S&W then just swap them out.

I AGREE. YOU MUST HAVE A ROUND U SHAPED REAR NOTCH TO CORRECTLY AND CONSISTENTLY INDEX THE FRONT SIGHT........

YOUR 2 CHOICES ARE WELL OUTLINED BY wolverine.......

 

[InTheWoods]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Smith and Wesson does not appear to have any u shaped blades (hate the v shaped) and there also does not seem to be enough room on the bottom of the rear sight notch to allow any filing of the notch at all. The bottom of the notch is about the same height as the elevation adjustment screw.

I may now explore getting the lowest red ramp front sight available and match it with a higher rear sight blade (if they make one high enough). It did something similar on a 3" 60-15 and it worked out real well.

 

[wolverine]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Smith and Wesson does not appear to have any u shaped blades (hate the v shaped) and there also does not seem to be enough room on the bottom of the rear sight notch to allow any filing of the notch at all. The bottom of the notch is about the same height as the elevation adjustment screw.

I may now explore getting the lowest red ramp front sight available and match it with a higher rear sight blade (if they make one high enough). It did something similar on a 3" 60-15 and it worked out real well.

Evening InTheWoods

It sounds like your 617 came with a 0.126" rear sight blade, my 617 came with a 0.146" rear blade so there was enough meat to make a nice U notch.

If you can't source a U notch blade from S&W then you have a couple of choices.

Buy a taller front sight then buy (or talk S&W into sending you) a taller rear sight blade & make the proper U notch in that.

Or buy an aftermarket rear U notch sight blade (cylinder & slide or other)

If you have a 0.126" rear sight then it probably has a very shallow notch anyhow (I hate that shallow notch myself). It might not even be deep enough to use the full red ramp but at least a red ramp will look square in the bottom of the rear blade.

You might be able to make a 0.126" rear sight work with a fiber optic front but you will be fighting to keep the fiber dot half buried in the notch so fast target acquisition & quick shooting will be difficult (I can never make it work quickly or correctly myself)

 

[InTheWoods]

Ok, decided I am going to go with a red ramp front sight and higher blade in the rear. I get along quite well with red ramps on my field revolvers. As I said above, I did this with a 60-15 a few years ago. It came with a fiber optic front and a v-notch in the rear. This made precision shooting impossible! 60-15 pictured below after the sight change.

 

[wolverine]

Ok, decided I am going to go with a red ramp front sight and higher blade in the rear. I get along quite well with red ramps on my field revolvers. As I said above, I did this with a 60-15 a few years ago. It came with a fiber optic front and a v-notch in the rear. This made precision shooting impossible! 60-15 pictured below after the sight change.

Morning InTheWoods

It sounds like you still have "young" eyes. When I was younger I
shot a red ramp just fine.

Now that I am older if I have a gun with a red ramp I might as
well just remove the front sight blade if I am in the shadows or
marginal lighting.

My old eyes actually do better with a black front sight blade with
a bit of flat white paint on the rear edge than with a red ramp.

For us older shooters a fiber optic front sight is a must in the
shadows or not perfect lighting.

Next move for me is probably a red dot, then after that sound
shots only.

You need to do what YOU feel is best for you & the way you use
your sights. If a red ramp seems your best choice then that is
what you need to do. (easy enough to change if your future eye
sight, or sight usage, changes)