908s Broken Rear Sight.

[nwo]

Hello All,

Wow, I have not posted here in a long time. It's good to be back.

I have a Smith and Wesson 908s pistol that is in immaculate condition, EXCEPT for the plastic rear sight. It is broken.

The previous owner, for some reason I cannot fathom, BROKE it somehow. I think he was trying to MOVE it using some INCORRECT tool (like a hammer and nail punch. AACK!)

I have done a GOOGLE search for somewhere to purchase a new rear sight. All I can find are NIGHT SIGHTS, which I do not want.

The ONLY place I can find that actually has the original rear sight is MIDWAYUSA, and it is a "special order" item that takes 2 months to process..

Does anyone know where I can get one other than MIDWAYUSA? I'd like to take the pistol to the range one of these days soon.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[Racer X]

I could be wrong, but I believe it is just a cheap plastic version of the metal ones used on a 3904/3906. I'd replace it with a metal one myself.

Call S&W's Parts Dept on Tuesday and ask if no one who is positive of the answer hasn't answered by then.

 

[Hill_Country]

BTDT, sorry to hear you had the same problem.

The good news is S&W customer service had the sight in stock when I called several months ago. If they don't, try both Midway and Brownells and keep your fingers crossed.

The bad news is I wanted to install a metal sight from a 39xx. Customer service said the 908 has a different dovetail than the 39xx series and they weren't even sure there was enough beef to mill it for a Novac sight.

FWIW, while you're talking to customer service, order a guide rod from a 3913. I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the plastic guide rod, but I'm sure that like me you're not a fan of plastic parts. <G> The mag disconnector is also plastic, but I'm not brave enough to detail strip it to that level.

If you just have to have a metal sight, check out Novac's and see if they can recut the dovetail.

After I replaced mine I heard that the rear sight is removed left to right (or maybe it is the other way around <G>) and goes in the reverse way. Easy enough to tap it in with a fiber drift or chunk of hardwood. Might as well order the safety and disconnector springs while you're talking to CS - they pop out when the sight comes off and it is nice to have a spare. (Don't ask how I know.) Removing the sight in a large baggy may help.

 

[nwo]

The REAR SIGHT holds the safety and disconnector springs in? How does it do that? It does not just sit into the dovetail that is machined into the metal?

Also, what does "BTDT" mean?

 

[Hill_Country]

The REAR SIGHT holds the safety and disconnector springs in? How does it do that? It does not just sit into the dovetail that is machined into the metal?

Also, what does "BTDT" mean?

The springs sit in holes under the rear sight with the rear sight holding them down. Check Brownells for parts breakdowns that show it better. Just be aware that the springs will get launched when the sight is slid to the side if you don't have a finger in the right place. (Don't ask how I know.)

Been there, done that. (Hope you don't.)

 

[nwo]

Ohh, thank you for the information.

That seems like a dumb set-up to me. Why would they design the rear sight, and springs like that? Nothing can ever be "easy'.

I will likely have my GS do the job as I don' have the right tool to mount the sight properly. He can deal with the spring launching!