Brand new Mod 27-9, front sight needs changing

[cookie42]

I just picked this beautiful revolver. To me, it's perfect, except the blade front sight.
I assume the pin can be driven out and a new sight slid into place with a new pin.

When I go online to find a replacement there are many different types that don't appear to be for this revolver.
I'd like a high visibility, glow style sight.

What do you suggest?

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

 

[series guy]

I would suggest an Allchin mount and a Burris Fastfire III.

 

[Protocall_Design]

That would be a pin on sight. You just measure how tall the sight is above the sight base, and order a fiber optic one for a S&W revolver the same or close to the same height in the fiber optic color you want, red, orange, or green.

The sight will come not drilled for the pin hole because the pins are not in the same place on every gun. You have to drill the pin hole to match your particular gun.

 

[Nick B]

What’s wrong with the blade that’s on it ?

 

[cookie42]

Sweet, thank you.
I'm a machinist so the details of drilling and measuring shouldn't be an issue.
I just needed the information you provided

 

[cookie42]

I can't see the darn front blade.
The rear sight is fine with the white outline but I need something bold up front.
My vision isn't what it used to be. Almost 70. But, I look good

 

[Protocall_Design]

What I do is get the new sight in and make sure it's well seated on the sight base, then use the hole in the gun as a drill jig. Get a good drill point in the sight, full diameter, then remove it and drill it through by itself. You want to use a #54 drill bit, which is .055 diam. Then install the sight with the pin.

 

[cookie42]

That would be a pin on sight. You just measure how tall the sight is above the sight base, and order a fiber optic one for a S&W revolver the same or close to the same height in the fiber optic color you want, red, orange, or green.

The sight will come not drilled for the pin hole because the pins are not in the same place on every gun. You have to drill the pin hole to match your particular gun.

I read the reviews on the SDM fabricating red fiber optic. Looks great. One guy said the blade was a bit wide to fit. I have a surface grinder if it comes to that or the mill.
Should suit me fine.
Thanks

 

[cookie42]

What I do is get the new sight in and make sure it's well seated on the sight base, then use the hole in the gun as a drill jig. Get a good drill point in the sight, full diameter, then remove it and drill it through by itself. You want to use a #54 drill bit, which is .055 diam. Then install the sight with the pin.

I was thinking of using a spin indexer to grind a transfer punch to .054"
This should give me an accurate center to drill.
What do you think?
I do have the #54 drill bit.
I can make a jig to hold the blank for drilling and place it in my milling vise.

 

[SSGRock]

S&W Front Sight

I use model car paint. Put a dot of white or orange paint on front sight. Works for me.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I was thinking of using a spin indexer to grind a transfer punch to .054"
This should give me an accurate center to drill.
What do you think?
I do have the #54 drill bit.
I can make a jig to hold the blank for drilling and place it in my milling vise.

I like the drill bit better. You can make the drill point a little deeper than just full diam., then the drill is captured and can't get off location. You only get one try to make it right.

If you have a mill, you can use the pointed end of an edge and center finder to pick up the center of the hole. You can hold the sight by the ends in the mill vise and not make a special jig. Put a parallel under each end.

 

[Engine49guy]

Have you tried calling S&W ?
They might have something in stock and they might even send it out gratis, might even already be drilled.
The Model paint works as well and so does borrowing the wife's brightest nail polish.
I like to do one coat of white first, then a bright orange or red over that.
If you have a steady hand and wanna get fancy you can use a pointed object and put a dot in the middle.
No problem if you goof it up just wipe it with nail polish remover (acetone) and start over.

 

[stansdds]

The simplest thing to do is to put some paint on the front sight.

 

[cookie42]

Have you tried calling S&W ?
They might have something in stock and they might even send it out gratis, might even already be drilled.
The Model paint works as well and so does borrowing the wife's brightest nail polish.
I like to do one coat of white first, then a bright orange or red over that.
If you have a steady hand and wanna get fancy you can use a pointed object and put a dot in the middle.
No problem if you goof it up just wipe it with nail polish remover (acetone) and start over.

I have some paint for sights but it just doesn't pop. Maybe a few coats??
Nail polish? OK

 

[Nick B]

I have some paint for sights but it just doesn't pop. Maybe a few coats??
Nail polish? OK

Paint it white first and then when it’s dry use fluorescent orange .
The white base makes the next color really pop.

 

[stansdds]

Yes, base coat of matte white, then add the color of your choice.

 

[cookie42]

Hmm, I added another coat. It's getting better. Maybe I should have stuck with the white

 

[StrawHat]

I have installed several front sights on S&W revolvers. I prefer to drill a little more than 1/2 way from the left side and then finish the hole from the right side. Less chance of the bit wandering off course.

Kevin