Don't hate me for modifying my pre 29 front sight!

[Patrick L]

My apologies , I know its a cardinal sin to alter a classic gun, but so be it...

I have a 4 screw pre 29. Honestly, due to its overall finish condition, plus the fact that a previous owner drilled and tapped the topstrap for a scope mount, I really consider it "shooter grade" which was fine with me since that made it affordable.

Anyhow, I have never really cared for red ramp front sights. As an old Bullseye shooter, I really prefer the crisp black sight picture a Patridge gives me. To make matters worse, this RR had some dings in it, making it very difficult to acquire a nice clear sight picture. Soooo, I set about to do something about it. This is what I did

A piece of steel stock, a needle file, and a lot of patience. Fit and file, fit and file. Then some cold blue, and viola!!

Here's a full body shot

I did the same thing to my Model 66 about 25 - 30 years ago, and it has never budged

Like I said, the gun's monetary value was already compromised. I think I made it more shooter friendly.

 

[muddocktor]

A nice mod you did to the stock front sight in my opinion man. Good job.

 

[GerSan69]

Wow! Looks great!

 

[RobertJ.]

I like it!

 

[spad124]

I like what you did. In fact, I have a 25-5 that shoots high. I’ve thought about having the front sight replaced but really don’t want to irreversibly change the front sight. Your solution might just work. Thanks!

 

[Bakebfr480]

Looks good to me!

 

[CH4]

No apology needed, it’s your gun so do what you please. Looks nice!

 

[revshtr]

As CH4 states you do what ya want. if it's what ya needed to make the gun shoot for you then...…………..

 

[Milton]

That looks great! Is the addition a press fit or did you use something else to hold it?

 

[oysterer]

a 25-5 that shoots high.

then you change the rear sight blade with a lower one

 

[6string]

Great idea!!
Yes, as a bullseye shooter too, I love the Patridge front sight.
I guess one could even use a slightly wider insert if that sught picture was desired.
For that matter, a gold bar line insert, or McGivern bead could also work.

Jim

 

[snuffy51]

I don't sleep with my guns. I like to shoot' em. Looks good.

 

[M29since14]

then you change the rear sight blade with a lower one

Sometimes you run out of change room. My 25-9 has a .126 blade and it’s still a good 4-6 inches high at 25-yards. The OP’s mod not only solves that problem but, in his case, also gave him black sights, which he prefers. As long as it holds, I think it’s a great approach. The red ramp always can be replaced, if it should become desirable to do so. Looks like a good fix and nice file work, to me.

 

[Patrick L]

Milton,

Yes and yes. It IS a press fit, however I tend to overdo things. Since the RR inserts have two holes in the base that the plastic gets molded (injected??) into to lock it in place, I drilled a tiny hole in the bottom of my insert, and on final assembly put a smear of JB Weld in to make a mechanical lock. It's been a long time since I did the M66, but IIRC I did the same thing with some Accraglass gel.


Thank you all for your kind replies.

 

[sodacan]

I appreciate the patience and skill that went into the change, but I don't care for the way it looks. Your gun. Your choice. Hope it shoots great.

 

[Milton]

Thank you very much! I am considering doing close to the same on an Old Model Ruger Blackhawk.I will have to cut the dovetail though.

 

[DevilDog72]

I like it, well done.

 

[handejector]

NICE file work!

 

[delcrossv]

As well done a job as I'd ever seen. Two thumbs up!

 

[Doug M.]

I applaud your work. Well done, almost certainly outside my skillset, and designed to make a tool do what it is supposed to do. I have a very hard time with the group that opposes any change because it is not factory original. These are tools - for competition, for fighting, for hunting, for whatever you need. Anything that makes them work better for the intended use and the person using the firearm is a good thing. (Ok, I think a Fitzed trigger guard is a disaster, but other than that ...)