C&S fixed rear sight problems....

[RightWinger]

I recently bought a 686-4 2.5 inch and ordered a C&S fixed rear sight, it fits on the gun great, and looks good as well, the problem however is that the gun not only shoots about 6 inches low, it also shoots about 3-4 inches to the left. It was dead on before I removed the original rear sight. The gun has a red ramp sight that is non-removable. My question is this, can I have the front sight milled off and a dovetail sight installed so I would be able to drift the sight slightly to the right? Will S&W perform this modification? If so could I select a front sight that would normally go on a 1911 that is tritium? I am also guessing I need a front sight that is a hair shorter as well to bring me POI up a bit. All of these groups were done at 15 yards. I have had one person tell me that since its just a HD gun and a CCW that I should be happy with those groups because I can still hit center mass but to be honest I'm not happy with this at all, I feel like my 686 should shoot just as good or better as my j-frames....any thoughts?

 

[Steve_NEPhila]

sight issue

You will probably need a front sight that is about .180 inch tall. A dovetail should be easy for any competent gunsmith. A Sig style front sight may be easier for the intended purpose. Attached are pics of how mine turned out, it is a 386 with the C&S rear and xs standard dot front. (the front is an off the shelf .180 tall xs standard dot like on the night guards.)

When I put on the CS rear it was shooting low because the standard hi viz front post was too tall. In short, contact a good gunsmith and he should be able to work this out.

 

[RightWinger]

Here is a pic of the 686 I'm talking about, not that a pic is needed but hey, I am really proud of how this gun turned out so far, I'll get the sight problem fixed and will end up with a great piece of work. Thanks for the advice

 

[Spotteddog]

R/W,
Your dilemma is the exact one I feared, when looking at them?
I've wondered how S&W managed to get POI, R to L regulated on their new Nightguards? I couldn't see how they did so W/O a front dovetail blade? As far as the blade height goes, the Nightguard's appear to have a taller front blade that your 686. I'm really looking forward to reading the answers on this! Thanks for asking it!

 

[RightWinger]

I have heard a few people say that with the nightguards and the "big dot" front sight you don't really get great accuracy, but its ballpark and the front sight is round and larger so its not as much a precise thing as a blade would be, I think this is how they get away with it. Me personally I'm not wanting a big dot on mine for this reason, I had one on a j-frame and it was easy to pick up, but not accurate. A lot of people seem to think that as long as you can hit someone's chest from a few feet its good enough however I disagree, I think ANY night sight should be easy to pick up and if you can get a decent group at 25 yards you will be able to hit close up as well.....

I am still in the process of searching different dovetail night sights, once I find one I'm happy with I'll probably go ahead and send it off to S&W and let them do the sight work, and maybe let them bead blast it as well. I'm glad this dilema is something that has bothered others as well, because I have been accused of being too picky about this....

 

[sar4937]

You might contact Cylinder & Slide for their thoughts. http://www.cylinder-slide.com/zerosights.shtml

 

[stoneman]

C&S sights

Rightwinger, I will be waiting patiently to hear the out come of your project. Come tax return time I want to do the same thing to my 686+.
Who did the machine work on your cylinder?

 

[Nightowl]

I just leave the original sights on mine. They are much more rugged than they look and I have never had an issue with them, either on duty or off duty carry. If you do happen to break the rear blade, it is very easy to replace with a new one, and you can round the edges if you are concerned about the blade hanging up on clothing.

 

[tomcatt51]

I just leave the original sights on mine...., and you can round the edges if you are concerned about the blade hanging up on clothing.

And the hammer spur is a bigger issue. Can't figure out why anyone would install fixed sights and not bob the hammer.

 

[JamesArthur60]

If you are looking for solutions, maybe this outfit could help. They work primarily on S&W revolvers.
SDM Fabricating Home

 

[RightWinger]

Stoneman,

Mark at pinnacle performance dished my cylinder out for moonclips, he charges 85 dollars + shipping I beleive, the service was quick, he's a nice man to deal with and his work is great.

Ok, to those who have asked me why I havn't bobbed the hammer.....I plan on it however I am waiting to find a new or used hammer to do it with, I do want to keep the original hammer in the event I want to put it back or sell it someday. Any suggestions on cheap places to order case hardened hammers??

 

[Lameyknives]

i know this is an old topic, but any new updates?

 

[RightWinger]

Well, I have bobbed the hammer on the gun, but have not had the front sight issue worked out yet, partially because I have been really busy with work and other things. I promise I'll get it done soon and post some pictures.