686 Front Sight Question

[Green Frog]

I have acquired a 6" Model 686 (no dash, no M) with the standard forged, red ramp front sight. I'm getting the urge to have the base modified to take a pinned blade so I can install a blued Patridge front blade (to shoot partridges??) Has anyone done this mod and do you have any comments pro or con? This is a 97% gun that I plan to keep a long time and shoot frequently, so as far as justifying this mod to a somewhat collectible piece, I'm a little conflicted (but only a little! ) TIA for your studied input.

Froggie

PS I guess I should mention that this is also to serve as a companion piece to my four inch "Model 616" that has a Partridge sight already, a relic from the 617 barrel.

 

[afultz075]

I had a model 15-3 that had a filed down front sight that I had converted to pinned. The ramp will need machined off, a slot cut into the top of the barrel, and a hole for the pin drilled.

Any competent gunsmith should be able to do this.

Don't expect to ever recoup your money from the mod should you decide to sell it. It shouldn't effect the value too badly compared to an unmodded one IF the work is done professionally. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with a pinned front sight mod but some of the more picky collector-types might turn their nose up at it should you decide to sell.

 

[AveragEd]

I have a 6" 629-1 that I use for bullseye target shooting. A ramp sight, especially a colored one, does not provide the sharp, clear, repeatable sight picture of the black Patridges on my other target guns. I asked Smith & Wesson about having the same modification performed and was told it would cost about $100 and that they have a one-year backlog of work.

For what it's worth...

Ed

 

[RGPM1A]

I have acquired a 6" Model 686 (no dash, no M) with the standard forged, red ramp front sight. I'm getting the urge to have the base modified to take a pinned blade so I can install a blued Patridge front blade (to shoot partridges??) Has anyone done this mod and do you have any comments pro or con? This is a 97% gun that I plan to keep a long time and shoot frequently, so as far as justifying this mod to a somewhat collectible piece, I'm a little conflicted (but only a little! ) TIA for your studied input.

Froggie

PS I guess I should mention that this is also to serve as a companion piece to my four inch "Model 616" that has a Partridge sight already, a relic from the 617 barrel.

I have the same gun and did exactly what you want to do. When I bought my gun it did not have the M stamp so when I sent it back to S&W for the mod (they will pay shipping botyh ways since its a warranty item) I asked then to replace the factory sight with a pinned patridge front sight. It came out great and I think they charged less than $100. I got the gun back in about 4 weeks.