Fiber optic front sight on a 67?

[stevieboy]

I just installed a fiber optic front sight on my 625JM and the results were a revelation. It was balm to my aging eyes and my groups instantly reduced by about 50% in size. Installing it was literally a snap. One just pops out the spring loaded JM front sight and pops in the new fiber optic sight.

My wife is a pretty avid shooter and would like something in .38 special that could also take a fiber optic front sight. The K-frame 38s presently manufactured by Smith, such as the model 67, all have Baughman (ramp) front sights. My question is: does anyone know if these sights are pinned and can one easily replace a pinned Baughman with a fiber optic front sight? Also, if I did that, would this require modification of the barrel rib? How complicated a job would it be? And, finally: what height front sight should I purchase?

 

[ab4ka]

What kind of sight did you use? I'd love to do that to my 6" 686 as it's just a target gun for me.

 

[stevieboy]

My 625JM has a spring loaded front sight. I bought a red fiber optic replacement sight from Smith, manufactured by SDM Fabricating. It cost $43, not counting shipping. The same sight is available from SDM for the same price.

It's very easy to mount on the JM. Just push the front sight to the rear and tilt up, the whole assembly pops out. The new one goes in by pushing downwards and to the rear with the back of the sight and then, tilting the front downwards. Once you get the hang of it, changing the sights literally takes only seconds.

Unfortunately, Smith has not put this type of sight assembly on its other revolvers (except for some Pro Series and Performance Center guns). There are some guns with a pinned Patridge front sight. Changing that, apparently, requires pushing out the pin, removing the sight, drilling a pinhole at the base of the new sight, inserting, and pushing the pin through. Drilling a hole that precisely is beyond my skill level.

I'm not sure if any of the guns that Smith makes with Baughman front sights (ramp) sights are pinned or not and that was my original question. Also, I know that older Smith revolvers seem to have the sights made as integral parts of the barrel housing. I'm guessing that to replace one of these would require cutting it off and having a new sight built into the barrel housing.

The fiber optic sight, btw, is great. My aging eyes make it very difficult for me to pick up the front sights on most of my handguns. With the fiber optic sight in place my group sizes instantly decreased by about 50%.

I've noticed that the older Model 14s have Patridge type front sights. Does anyone know if these are pinned or are they also integral to the barrel housing?

 

[j2flan]

They are pinned, I measured the height at .250 (check I may be wrong)
I have a new mod. 67 (what a great pistol) but my old eyes would like a better sight than the stock, so searching I found Brownells has the SDM but as was said in the past reply, the sight needs to be drilled to accept the pin. I belive the bit is a number "54. I would not want to attempt it without a press and some skill, $40 + down the drain if it is not drilled right. I hope to find someone, a smith or shop, that can do it. The FO or gold dot I think, would greatly help.

 

[Fuego]

Remember that these sights are great outdoors in daylight, but not much good indoors or at night.

 

[graydog]

Hi
It is a piece of cake to do this job fellows. Take the orginal sight out of the gun by removing the pin that holds it in. Then install the new sight with the gun held in a soft jawed vise. Next make sure the sight is in the right place and select the right size drill bit. First drill the hole half way from one side and then go to the other side and drill it the rest of the way, of course being careful and taking it slow. When the hole is all the way through put the pin back in and BOB'S YOUR UNCLE. This really is quite easy to do guys. I have done my 686 and two of buddies guns with no issues at all. Just go slow, and take your time and you will be fine.

Graydog