Behlert Adj. Sight

[Green Frog]

I was going through an old stash of parts for S&W revolvers and came across a NOS custom sight by Austin Behlert. It was still in the original plastic box with deteriorated red foam padding, but cleaned up to appear unused. I know it’s at least 30+ years old and decided to stick it onto Project 616. Wondering whether anyone here used or is using one of these sights and would like to share impressions?

TIA ~ Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

Ninety two views without a single response. I know they were discontinued a long time ago, but somebody here must remember something about them. Behlert was quite the gunsmith, first in New Jersey (where the sights were probably made) then in PA. He was best known for his work with Colt 1911s but also built PPC guns on S&Ws along with various other projects. The search continues...

Froggie

 

[1chessiefan]

Dear Froggie,
I have had a Behlert adj. rear sight installed on my Model 57 for a long time. I have no complaints. I believe that it affords a better sight picture than the issued S&W sight and offers very positive adjustment.

 

[AJ]

Don't have a Behlert sight, but do have a Behlert S&W PPC gun. Great piece! I can shoot it double action, better than most folks can shoot single action.

 

[Green Frog]

Well, I thought I remembered them as being well thought of, so now the newly rediscovered one I found is mounted atop Project 616 to give it a happy home. Since they even were mounted on cut down Model 29s, holding up to recoil on a 327 shouldn't be an issue. We shall see...

Froggie

 

[noshow]

My Colt 1911 Government has an Austin Behlert action going back to 1974 in New Jersey.

 

[drgbike]

Pictures, pictures.

 

[Walter Rego]

I bought one from Mr. Behlert in the early 1980's to replace the factory sight on my Dan Wesson Model 15-2 because I didn't like having to carry around an Allen wrench to adjust the sight. It was good quality with positive clicks. I wish I hadn't sold that gun too.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Behlert

I collected Behlert custom guns for years. Ended up with about 30 before I sold them off. I accumulated a dozen or so of his sights. I have put them on a couple S&W's and a couple Ruger single actions. Good sights with extra adjustments. Just a little bulky.

 

[Green Frog]

Pictures, pictures.

OK, here ya go... the first image is intentionally shaky since that’s how I see it!

 

[Green Frog]

Bump to top... I’d kinda like this topic to continue a bit longer if possible. Can anyone provide a definite time frame on their availability? My memory is that these were NOS from the estate of Fred Schmidt in about the mid-80s, so I’m guessing they were actually made back in the ‘70s?? I was considering putting one of the Weigand sight conversions on this gun before this Behlert turned up from the void, and am wondering whether anyone here has actual experience with both. Would it be worth the effort to change (again?). Thanks for the responses so far and for any more good info you share.

Froggie

 

[gdogs]

Can't say I have any information to share regarding the Behlert sights, but I do have a couple. Both are are white outline. I picked up a Mod 29 years ago that had a chopped off barrel, mismatched nickel cylinder, and no sights. I put on a nickel 6" tube (homemade pinto!) and one of the Behlerts, haven't looked back since. Great sight picture, and this thing is rugged.

 

[Hondo44]

Had a Behlert P35 Brng Hi Power DA conversion with his sight.

Loved it.

 

[M29since14]

Never knew there was such a thing! Thanks for showing us that. Better pictures would have been a plus punkt for you, but you get a gold star anyway. I’d like to see one of those in person. Well, maybe not. I’d probably end up wanting one, or maybe several.

I understand the fuzzies and the shakies! I see it that way too.

 

[Green Frog]

Never knew there was such a thing! Thanks for showing us that. Better pictures would have been a plus punkt for you, but you get a gold star anyway. I’d like to see one of those in person. Well, maybe not. I’d probably end up wanting one, or maybe several.

I understand the fuzzies and the shakies! I see it that way too.

The fuzzy view comment was to cover for the fact that I was holding the gun with one hand and my iPad with the other... not a good combination for a sharp picture! When I got a couple of those sights out of Fred's estate sale in about 1985 or '86, IIRC, they were old then. I seriously doubt Austin was making them after about 1980 or so.

As for the customized High Power, that was another of the things Behlert was known for. I've never had one in my hands, but people who have them seem to value them quite highly, and justifiably so. Of course now everybody has a Wonder 9, so the novelty has worn off.

I'd still like to do a side-by-side comparison of the old Behlert and newer Weigand (conversion) sights. The former is a complete replacement while the latter just replaces the blade assembly. Can the Weigand be as good? It's still available and pretty reasonably priced. I know some of you may call this thread drift, but it's my thread, so I gave myself permission!

Froggie