642 Front Sight options

[VirMagnus]

I have a 642, and love it, but I'm not a big fan of the front sight.

I know that it needs to be milled off and a new one installed, but who do you suggest does this? I don't like crimson trace grips, and I think they are ridiculously overpriced for what they are, so thats not an option.

Where should I send it to to get this work done, and what sight should I use? I was thinking an XS Dot.

Thanks, and any pics of a gun that has had this done will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Old cop]

If you do find someone to put the big dot front sight on remember that the rear sight will need to be milled out to be wide enough to provide a proper sight picture.

 

[wrangler5]

Why not try the cheap solution first? Paint!

I paint my front ramps with white nail polish first, then a coat of the brightest red/orange I could find at WalMart. Others use model enamels, but in either case do an "undercoat" of white first - makes the red much brighter.

I also paint the rear sight well and notch with flat black model paint. Makes a big improvement over the stock stainless/stainless setup.

You'll only be out a few dollars for paint and a tiny brush (I assume you have thinner to clean the brush). If you don't like it you can have the heavy work done. But you might just find that paint makes enough of an improvement that you don't need more.

 

[Avery11]

What he said.^^ When the car don't start, check the tank before you call the wrecker.

 

[VirMagnus]

I'd really like a night sight, I guess I can give the 642 to my wife and get an M&P 340 down the road

 

[riverrat38]

Does the paint hold up to cleaning with Hoppes #9 or similar? Or, does this treatment need to be redone after each cleaning?
I know that on a M642, the SS is clear coated, so the paint is going over the clear coat. I wonder if the nail polish would adhere to the bare SS on a M60? I find the sights on my no dash M60 to be hard to use in many light conditions.

Best,
Rick

 

[Edmo]

Does the paint hold up to cleaning with Hoppes #9 or similar? Or, does this treatment need to be redone after each cleaning?
I know that on a M642, the SS is clear coated, so the paint is going over the clear coat. I wonder if the nail polish would adhere to the bare SS on a M60? I find the sights on my no dash M60 to be hard to use in many light conditions.

Best,
Rick

1. I would avoid using Hoppes on a 642 unless you are careful not to get any on the aluminum's clear coat. Some have had Hoppes eat away at their 642's finish. S&W didn't think this clear coat thing through very well. Anodizing would have been my pick.

2. From what I can tell on my 642, the barrel and cylinder are both stainless steel and neither have any clear coat. My gun's painted front sight has shown no wear from either holster or cleaner.

The paint I use is "Lure & Jig Finish" which seems to dry to a plastic like finish. Like others have suggested, apply a coat of white first then red/orange. I use a round toothpick as my "brush" and let it flow into the front sight grooves. It doesn't take much paint, so your little bottle of paint will likely go bad before you use it up.

Edmo

 

[AZretired]

I've used red nail polish on a 60-1, 65-1, 642 and a 638, clear coat and no clear coat. They stand up well to cleaning and wear.

 

[Alnamvet68]

1. I would avoid using Hoppes on a 642 unless you are careful not to get any on the aluminum's clear coat. Some have had Hoppes eat away at their 642's finish. S&W didn't think this clear coat thing through very well. Anodizing would have been my pick.

2. From what I can tell on my 642, the barrel and cylinder are both stainless steel and neither have any clear coat. My gun's painted front sight has shown no wear from either holster or cleaner.

The paint I use is "Lure & Jig Finish" which seems to dry to a plastic like finish. Like others have suggested, apply a coat of white first then red/orange. I use a round toothpick as my "brush" and let it flow into the front sight grooves. It doesn't take much paint, so your little bottle of paint will likely go bad before you use it up.

Edmo

This is correct...the barrel and the cylinder do not have clear coat applied.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Before I forget, if you're stuck on getting better sights, you may consider this option. While they may be expensive, I have seen it on J frames, and the workmanship is outstanding, not to mention uber improved sight picture...

The Home of Quality Custom Firearms, Tactical Training and The Tactical Marksman's Match...

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[nossew]

The paint I use is "Lure & Jig Finish" which seems to dry to a plastic like finish. Like others have suggested, apply a coat of white first then red/orange. I use a round toothpick as my "brush" and let it flow into the front sight grooves. It doesn't take much paint, so your little bottle of paint will likely go bad before you use it up.

Edmo

Nothing is better than the Jig and Lure paint, it holds up extremely well. I got mine at Gander Mtn.

 

[kablamo]

Anyone have able to post pics of theirs? Thanks! I get the front site idea can someone post a pic of a blacked out rear?

 

[Imaposer]

Other than the painting options, and back to the OP's original question, can anyone recommend anyone that performs the work of installing an XS Big Dot front sight on the J frames with an integral front sight?

 

[Alnamvet68]

Other than the painting options, and back to the OP's original question, can anyone recommend anyone that performs the work of installing an XS Big Dot front sight on the J frames with an integral front sight?

XS Sights (they make the Big Dot) will install for $40.00 plus the sight cost, as does Smith & Wesson.

 

[NoBite]

+1 to letting XS do the job. They did a great job on mine. No regrets.


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