Changing front sight on Smith 24-3

[David LaPell]

I want to go with a different front sight with my 24-3 6 1/2" barrel, as it shoots a few inches high at 25 yards with all my loads. Looking at the gun, I believe the sight is pinned, but the bluing is so nice that I can't tell for sure. I have my rear sight down as far as need be, I suppose the worst case scenario (since that front sight has such an impressive look), is to change the rear sight blade itself to a shorter one since I wanted a white outline anyway. What would be a good rear height with that tall of a front. Not sure of the exact height, but is above the .24" sight, I'm thinking it is .280" of an inch for the front.

 

[KSK]

David,
The front sight of your 24-3 (if stock) should be a patridge front with a nominal height of .320" (which is already the tallest front sight S&W offers as far as I know). The rear sight (if stock) should measure .146". To lower your point of impact, I would leave the front sight alone, and replace the rear sight blade with one that measures .126". This should lower your point of impact by approximately 6.5" at 25 yards. The S&W part # for the rear sight kit you need with a white outline is #19146. If you want just the solid blue rear sight kit of the same height, the part # is # 19147. Brownells sells these kits as well as the staking tool to install. You might also just be able to send your rear sight assemly to S&W and request them to change the blade out, without having to send in the whole gun.

Good luck,
-KSK-

 

[H Richard]

+1 on the rear sight blade change. It will do what you want to do. If you are mechanically inclined at all you should be able to change the blade with the kit provided by S&W or Brownells. You can make your own staking tool out of a common 10 penny nail. Just be sure to remove the blade assembly with the sight inside a large clear plastic bag. The Teeny Tiny detent plunger & spring will fly out at a certain point and if not contained will never be found again.l