adjustable sight blade in fixed sight gun

[830singleshot]

Has anyone ever taken a adjustable sight s&w blade and installed it in a fixed sight gun?
It looks to me that opposing screws from each side could be used to move the blade for windage. The top strap trough could be widened, providing a extremely low profile, sharp sight for my eyes(which are having trouble with traditional fixed sights).
What am I missing?

 

[robertrwalsh]

Almost anything of a purely technical nature can be done if you are willing to pay skilled gunsmith to do it.

 

[scooter123]

IMO what you aren't considering is the effect of Muzzle Flip. If you were to test your scheme I expect that you would find that you can't get a smaller screw tight enough to not work loose, you would probably need a screw about 1/4 inch in diameter or perhaps a bit more to keep it tight during use.

 

[Muley Gil]

Generally, you are better off selling what you have and buying a firearm with the sights you want.

 

[830singleshot]

I don't see the "jam" screws as a issue. It would work just like the early s&w adjustable sights. The way I envision the install is:
1. Locate and drill a clearance hole for the diameter of the blade barrel.
2. enlarge that hole and tap 1/4 the thickness of the frame from each side.
3. slot the top of the hole the thickness of the blade.
I have a 3" J frame smith but don't want the bulk and height of factory adjustable sights. Just the sight picture.

 

[armorer951]

Sounds both impractical and unsafe, and seems to defeat the purpose of the design. There is not enough room in the top strap to perform the machining you list above, and doing so would severely compromise the integrity of the top strap. You would also destroy the value of the gun by doing so.
Buy an existing model with adjustable sights.

 

[stu1ritter]

As an example of limited space, take a gun with the most space to drill and tap, my 629-3 Classic. I had the barrel shortened to 4.25" and a Weigand front sight put in place. Had to mill a channel for the sight. The gunsmith said the hold down screw was only 6 threads deep. He wasn't worried about it but he would not go any deeper into the barrel. This is a pretty thick barrel. You would more than likely have to have the same channel milled for any adjustable front sight.

Stu

 

[steelslaver]

If all you want is the sight picture simply mill the fixed sight slot to match a adjustable sight blade.

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

The late great Gunsmith George Hyde slotted the rear of the frame on a huge number of Colt Official Police and Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolvers for New York City Police officers and installed a semi-permanent rear sight blade.
Never saw one come loose or move. He tapered the slot and interference fitted the blade.

 

[stu1ritter]

There was also this technique which is on a Model 1917 Commercial from 1948 or so.

Stu

 

[830singleshot]

Stu,
Thanks for the picture. That is very close to what I have in mind. Great sight picture but only about 1/8" higher than fixed and a rounded corner blade to boot. Could you post a picture of the other side.
Tired Gunsmith,
I have seen references to King doing work like what you are talking about but have never seen any good photos. Do you have any you can post? Both you and Stu are talking/showing what I want. Thanks so much for your help.
Scott

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Sorry, unable to supply pictures.
Maybe someone on the forum has a former POLICE REVOLVER from NYCPD that has the HYDE rear sight can do so.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Didn't Ruger do a similar set up to what the OP envisions on its SP101 revolvers?

 

[stu1ritter]

Here is a photo of the other side of my 1917. I don't know who did the sight. It's been suggested either King or someone called Munson (sp). Other photo is the sight picture up close and personal.

Stu