(Behlert) sights question

[Jeroenw114]

I have these four Behlert sights. (the fifth one far right is a Millet)
All Behlerts are new, two not even finished yet little rusty.



But my question: Only the one right fit's my L-frame 686. And that was not what I expected!

I thought there was only one dimension from screw to screw.
Do I have three N-frame sights? Or for older S&W's?
Please help me identifying!

Jeroen

 

[Bob R]

I can't tell you for sure, but you most likely have N frame sights. Austin Behlert did quite a bit of work on N frames, especially making big bore snubs before the factory found how much money they could make.

bob

 

[Frank237]

Let me DATE myslef a little...

I'd agree that they could be N frames for the snubbed 25-2's they used to build.

Or the only other idea I'd have is...could they possibly be a sort of stock sight they used on Auto's?

Austin did fit K frame adjustables to both 1911 and BHP's 40 years back. Later on I visited the shop and saw he had a different sight on a 1911 he had "Bobcatted' or shortened.

Behlert did a Colt Commander for me in the early 1970's. Armalloy finish, K frame adjustable rear, red ramp frt, action job, fitted Bar-Sto .45 match bbl, extended safety, long trigger. It ran like a top.

He wasn't cheap , or too awfully quick with delivery, but his work was top notch.

FN in MT

 

[29aholic]

Dont know if this will help

But Smith did change the position of the front rear sight screw in about early 1957. Below is a picture of an early 57 vintage 44 magnum with the screw in the old position. I have/had several later 57 guns where the screw is further forward over the forcing cone (the current position)

I believe the change was made due to fouling issues.

 

[Green Frog]

I'm resurrecting this old thread because I am interested in finding out what is out there about the Austin Behlert sights and whether one or two are still available. I have one NIB for one of a pair of guns, but am wondering whether there is a major advantage to using it, and whether it would be worth the search to acquire a second one so the pair will have the same sight picture.

Connected with this question, has anyone compared the Behlert sight directly with the later Weigand conversion of the standard S&W adjustable sight? I'm curious as to whether there is an advantage to complete replacement vs modification of the original(?)

Regards and TIA,
Froggie

 

[Jim Watson]

I haven't got a Behlert, I do have a couple of the Weigand blades which are better than factory but seem not too sturdy.
If I had one Behlert and two guns, I would pick one and give it a try. Maybe put a Weigand on the other because that has to be better than the factory notch-in-scallop design.

 

[Nightowl]

They look wide to fit the rear of a Smith frame. Wonder if they were for a rib for a PPC gun, like a BoMar or Aristocrat?

 

[Green Frog]

They look wide to fit the rear of a Smith frame. Wonder if they were for a rib for a PPC gun, like a BoMar or Aristocrat?

No, the width of my one NOS Behlert sight is the same width as that of the original K-frame sight. I have to admit it looks a little rough compared to the original, but functionally it should be fine. I have not seen the Wiegand unit in person, so that's why I'm looking for help here. It would be a lot quicker to buy currently available parts and convert two sights I currently own compared to trying to find another Behlert sight, but would either give me an advantage or be disadvantageous compared to the other (or even to the original??)

Froggie