A question about replacing a rear sight

[jackge]

I'm looking for a 686 SSR and some I've seen have a rear sight without the white outline. Can this sight be replaced with one that has the white outline & where could I find one?
Lastly, I'm not agunsmith & would never attempt to do anything like changing out a rear sight so how much would I expect to have to pay a 'smith to do it for me?
Thanks much

 

[ejeli]

The rear blade and screw is available for about $12 and I would think that a gunsmith wouldn't charge much over $25 to change it. Another alternative is to buy the complete sight for $55 and change the whole sight yourself, it's held on with one screw at the forward end of the sight assy.
e.

 

[Coaltminer]

I'm sure you can get one from S&W, or Midway or any number of suppliers. They are different heights depending on gun and barrel length, they are quite easy to replace. You turn the windage screw until it tightens and breaks. Slip in the new blade and replace screw with the new screw. There's a little nut that's on the opposite side of the windage screw. They are usually sold as a complete set, as they know you have to break the old screw. IIRC, I don't think I left anything out, but if I did, someone will chime in.

 

[gr7070]

They are incredibly easy to change! There are also step by step videos on Midway USA and YouTube.

Having said that, I would highly recommend you leave the rear blade all black! I changed my blade out *from* the white outline to all black. If you're doing any action shooting you do not want a rear sight that will encourage you to take your focus off the front sight.

Keep it black.

 

[dlbx2]

Changing the sight

I'm sure you can get one from S&W, or Midway or any number of suppliers. They are different heights depending on gun and barrel length, they are quite easy to replace. You turn the windage screw until it tightens and breaks. Slip in the new blade and replace screw with the new screw. There's a little nut that's on the opposite side of the windage screw. They are usually sold as a complete set, as they know you have to break the old screw. IIRC, I don't think I left anything out, but if I did, someone will chime in.

Turn the screw clockwise so that when it breaks it will be against the rear sight blade. If it breaks with the sight blade to the left side, it interferes with pushing the rest of the sight screw out to unscrew it from the sight blade to remove it. If you have a sight spanner for the windage nut, it doesn't matter which side you break it on.
DLB