617 Sights

[MiketheTraveler]

I am likely to regret the question, but I looked and didn't find an answer.
The factory front sight is SO sharp! I have a good, comfortable holster, fits everything perfectly, but every time I draw, the front sight shaves leather on the way out. Every time, and no amount of removal angle adjustment negates the furthering of the trough being scraped out.
The sights are not the best for my eyes determining contrast between front and rear, painted the front and that worked until the second time I un-holstered and the top itty bitty painted section got scraped off, now there is a black void to have to remember is there.
So, replacing the front with a 686 ramped sight with red insert seems like a good option, but I'm not finding a drop in replacement.
The other option would be put aside this holster for a 4" 686 I will own one day, and be steered toward a holster that takes into consideration that type of front sight, the replace the sight with one of the high vis offerings, all of which (in my searches) are flat on the rear surface, so dragging against the leather of my holster will continue.
I appreciate any options you all have come up with. I really don't want to go into huge debt on this, but I do like to consider really working ideas.

Thanks all!

 

[RoyM52]

I believe that a holster with a sight tunnel will work better with any sight you choose.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I agree with the above poster- get a holster with a sight tunnel- suspect you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[MiketheTraveler]

Thank you - that's not an option I was aware of - the search goes on!

I would certainly rather that than replace the sights until later - I can live with a painted front sight. Thank you both again!

 

[H Richard]

Have you tried taking a small stone, about 400 or 600 grit and work the edged of front sight so they are no longer sharp? I did this years ago and found it worked for me.

 

[MiketheTraveler]

Have you tried taking a small stone, about 400 or 600 grit and work the edged of front sight so they are no longer sharp? I did this years ago and found it worked for me.

No sir, it crossed my mind, but I was worried about changing the visible sight height. I suppose smoothing the top and side edges would stop the leather from being shaved and make it more of a burnishing action/result?

It's something to think about, thank you!

 

[Protocall_Design]

Safariland made a lot of sight groove holsters.

The front sight on a M617 is .200 tall. The one on a M686 is .250 tall. You're not likely to find a red ramp .200 sight.

You could make your .200 sight into a ramp style, then groove it crossways with a 50 LPI checkering file.

 

[MiketheTraveler]

Safariland made a lot of sight groove holsters.

The front sight on a M617 is .200 tall. The one on a M686 is .250 tall. You're not likely to find a red ramp .200 sight.

You could make your .200 sight into a ramp style, then groove it crossways with a 50 LPI checkering file.

Thank you for that - not so sure I would do the sight mod, but it's certainly an idea. I'll check out safariland, thanks for that!

 

[tmd17]

What holster are you using? Can you post a picture of it? If it is a leather holster, it should be simple enough to re-shape it to create a nicely defined tunnel for the sight.

A kydex holster can be reshaped as well, but it's a bit trickier.