Front sight for 13-3

[ruger-p94]

I have a nickel 13-3 and love shooting it at the range every week but the old eyes are slowly going. I noticed with a magnifying glass that the front sight is pinned. Is there a replacement fiber optic sight that can be replaced. I asked the range gunsmith if it was possible and he said he would not undertake it because he would probably ruin the nickel finish trying. I used florescent paint on my ruger before getting a set of fiber optic sights and that worked not bad...but not great.

 

[civil1977]

I wasn't aware that they came with a pinned front sight. I always thought the front sight was an integral part of the barrel. I would suggest using some model paint or fingernail polish on the sight in lieu of modifying the gun. The 3" Model 13s are very desirable carry guns and in general, modifications hurt value. Also, your range gunsmith is right, you risk chipping the nickel if you try to remove the pin and sight.

 

[diamonback68]

What civil said. I don't think that sight can be replaced without milling a groove in the barrel.

 

[Black_Sheep]

What civil said. I don't think that sight can be replaced without milling a groove in the barrel.

Assuming the Model 13 is the same as the Model 10 as far as front sight installation, it can be done. I had the botched red ramp conversion on my 3" 10-8 replaced when I had it refinished. It was pinned in place...

 

[ruger-p94]

The front sight is pinned. Took a pic the best I could with the camera.. you can see the pin on both sides.

 

[diamonback68]

The front sight is pinned. Took a pic the best I could with the camera.. you can see the pin on both sides.

Danged if it don't appear to be. Guess I'm thinking of some of the older models 'cause I had an older 13 blue and it didn't appear to have a pinned sight.

 

[H Richard]

If the nickle finish was applied before the sight was installed it may be possible, but it sort of looks like the finish was applied after the sight was installed. You would probably have a break in the finish if you attempt to tap out the pin.

 

[pennlineman]

I have the same problems with rifles, so far I'm still OK with handguns. Anyways I bought some sight paint from my gun shop. The brand name is bright sights. It comes in several different colors. For me the red works the best. The colors really do "pop". I'd try this first before making any modifications to your gun.

 

[ruger-p94]

I emailed Smith to ask them about it. I also checked there parts list on their site and there is no pin for the front sight. I did add some florescent paint to the rear sight and will do the same with the front. If it does not help it will be easy to get off. I would hate to have to remove the pin and ruin the finish so plan 3 would be move up closer to the target..lol

 

[MakeMyNight]

I have a nickel 13-3 and love shooting it at the range every week but the old eyes are slowly going. I noticed with a magnifying glass that the front sight is pinned. Is there a replacement fiber optic sight that can be replaced. I asked the range gunsmith if it was possible and he said he would not undertake it because he would probably ruin the nickel finish trying. I used florescent paint on my ruger before getting a set of fiber optic sights and that worked not bad...but not great.

What I've been using lately to combat the "old eyes" syndrome, is Testor's Orange model paint.
It's every bit as bright as the flourescent sight paints, and more durable to boot.

One thing I do in preparation for paint is to clean the surface to be painted, using rubbing alcohol, and clean it at least twice.
Next, I mask the sides of the sight blade, then I do at least 2 applications of paint.

I'd caution against removing that sight blade (gun damage), and IMO, it's simply not a serious enough issue to gamble shipping Your precious model 13 to the S&W factory, and possibly losing it to thieves during shipping.