625-2 Needs a rear sight. What to look for?

AFARR

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I walked into the local gunstore and picked up a Vaquero .44mag (7 1/2", stainless). Out of curiosity, I asked about the Smith revolver hanging up (where the older/beater used guns normally go). Turns out it's a Smith 625-2. 5" full lug barrel. Firing pin on the hammer...for some reason I always liked those over the newer models. Missing the whole rear sight assembly.

So I got my Vaquero and need to get better grips for it (has what looks like Hogue grips with a front 'rest' at the bottom of the grip (along with finger grooves, blonde wood top, dark wood cap, checkered)...nice but doesn't fit me, so I'm putting something else on there (it was cheap enough in this market that I don't mind).

However...that 625 was sticking in my mind. So, I went back and gave them a deposit on it.

I should have done research before going back to look at a few things that might have helped decide what I need for the rear sight.

I figure I'll get the info, watch ebay, etc. for the correct part.

So:

I'm not sure (didn't know to look) if it says 'Model of 1988 or 1989' on the barrel. It is the 5", and is marked 625-2.

Can anyone tell me what I need to look for so I get the correct rear sight?

(From looking things up, it looks like a square front of the sight assembly, and a .106" blade (I assume that's not critical, as if I find an assembly that's correct except for the blade height, I can change that out)).

Overall length? Screw center to center length? Anything else (other models/frames had the same sight assembly)?

Thank you!


(I'd have bought it outright but I just got a new 610 that I picked up yesterday from the dealer that did the transfer).
 
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I would like to make a suggestion. Call Smith and ask them which sight, do they have one, and how much? It might be a pleasant surprise. Plus, it IS a place to start.

Good luck, my friend! Let us know your progress.

Dale53
 
625-2 Needs a rear sight. What to look for?

I have the same gun, S&W says they don't have one, because at least on mine, it is a strange transitional version, between the old style and the new style, fortunately, mine is still on, I had been looking for one only to have a spare and to be able to switch based on bullet weight shot without having to change the rear leaf.
In checking my other Smith revolvers I found I have the same sight on my Model 29-5 Classic, but on that gun, I can easily change front sights as it's a DX Model.
I hope for your sake yours is the new style as it's much easier to find, old ones are still around, but NOS ones are getting pricey.
I posted about this in the Gunsmithing section and someone helped me out by explaining anyway, S&W teenage customer service people, while nice were not helpful, sending the wrong sight even though I gave them the serial number
 
The chart that I have specifies a .106" high blade. And you are right - the distance between screw holes is the critical dimension - not all N-frames are alike...

SW-old-v-new-sight.jpg


If you are after originality, eBay is probably the best way to go, just make sure of the above dimension.

If you are more interested in function rather than form, Bowen makes their Rough Country sight with an undrilled square tang so that it can be drilled to match your gun. The Rough Country sights, I think, are the best S&W replacement sights on the market.

Good luck - you've got a fine gun there.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
625-2 Needs a rear sight. What to look for?

Here is a photo of mine.
Note that it has the small screw of the old-style sight and the rounded front tang of the new style sight.
As CH4 noted, I am going to go the Bowen route on mine, I have one of his Rough Country sights on a Ruger, love it, seems to give more range of adjustment too.
I plan on sending my existing sight in, so he will drill the hole correctly for me as I am a chicken about such things and don't want to wreck the fine sight.
I think he offers it with a target blade too which is what I will get.
 

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Fusion Firearms carries sights for S&W revolvers . I've bought a couple of sights from them for my semi-autos . If I remember right , they have several of them to choose from .
 
Hit the store today and measured.

Marked Model of 1989

Front of the sight assembly is squared off.

1.9" roughly hole to hole.
 
If you go to gun parts corp the had the parts in stock to assemble a sight, dont know if they still do. you just buy the individual parts and assemble the sight.
 
Thanks for the help. I just ordered one on Ebay that has the proper measurements (except for the blade height). That will try to keep it more factory.
 
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