Am I crazy? I took a file to my front sight...

[ecrawmer]

Yes, that's right I decided I had enough of the integral front sight on my S&W 469! Using a small file set I slowly, very very slowly filed off the front sight and slowly, very very slowly filed a dovetail to fit the Sig night sight I picked up from CDNN for $10. If you don't believe me take a gander for yourself -

You can blow the pictures up to get a better look on my blog - Hidden Defense: Smith & Wesson 469: A Proven CCW

I was a bit anxious while doing it, but I'm happy how it turned out. Now I need to look into replacing the rear sight. Unfortunately, the Novaks won't just slide in...don't know if I'm ready to do more filing to the slide just yet.

I will say that I'm very happy with the gun itself. Smith & Wesson should have never stopped making a compact all metal double stack 9mm like the 469/669/6904/6906. If you find one pick it up, I think you'll like it too!

 

[ecrawmer]

Yes, that's right I decided I had enough of the integral front sight on my S&W 469! Using a small file set I slowly, very very slowly filed off the front sight and slowly, very very slowly filed a dovetail to fit the Sig night sight I picked up from CDNN for $10. If you don't believe me take a gander for yourself -

You can blow the pictures up to get a better look on my blog - Hidden Defense: Smith & Wesson 469: A Proven CCW

I was a bit anxious while doing it, but I'm happy how it turned out. Now I need to look into replacing the rear sight. Unfortunately, the Novaks won't just slide in...don't know if I'm ready to do more filing to the slide just yet.

I will say that I'm very happy with the gun itself. Smith & Wesson should have never stopped making a compact all metal double stack 9mm like the 469/669/6904/6906. If you find one pick it up, I think you'll like it too!

 

[conn ak]

Nice job, really.

 

[Spotteddog]

Field expedience.

 

[18DAI]

No not crazy, but evidently very talented. Nice job, congrats!

Too bad they stopped making these nice pistols. Oh well, at least they made enough that they are still fairly easy to find, and reasonably priced. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Good job. All completed without a dremel!!!

I prefer the front sight in a dovetail.

 

[ecrawmer]

Thanks guys. It seems to be holding up, but I still want to put a few hundred rounds through it to make sure it doesn't fly off.

 

[Spotteddog]

Loctite bushing retaining formula is your friend.

 

[Centenniel]

Good work.

 

[Stillwater788]

Wow! I thought you meant you filed down your front sight to raise your POI

You have both courage and talent.

 

[folkenheath]

How long did it take you file an entire dovetail groove? It looks surprisingly straight and precise for a hand file, good job.

 

[ecrawmer]

Originally posted by folkenheath:
How long did it take you file an entire dovetail groove? It looks surprisingly straight and precise for a hand file, good job.

I'm not sure of the exact time since I really couldn't do it all in one sitting because after about a half hour of filing my hand was cramping up. Overall I took a few weeks filing here and there when I had time. The total just filing time if it could be done in one sitting was probably no more than 4-5 hours. I know that may sound like a lot, but it was usually done in 15-30 minute spurts. Keeping it straight really isn't that hard since hand filing doesn't take much metal off and by taking my time and only doing it in spurts I was able to constantly review my progress and keep it straight.

 

[Spotteddog]

I recall just after the earth had cooled, one of the "tests" in machine shop class. That being the creation of a micrometer perfect (+ - .003") one inch cube, using only hand files. The assignment was given at the start of the one year course, and graded as the "final" exam. So your time line sounds entirely accurate. Nice work!