I appreciate the tip on working it from both sides to prevent a "bind". I have a table top drill press and a set of number drills so good there but i will pickup a new #54 to ensure its sharp. The cross pin appears to be a roll pin, do you recommend getting a new one or reuse the existing pin and is S&W the best place to get one if needed?
Thanks again gents, you both have been very generous in answering.
The drilling from both side is not prevent a bind, it's to make sure that the existing holes in the rib/base are in alignment on either side of the sight blade. I would not drill straight through from one side, as the hole on the other side may not be exactly perpendicular to the one you're drill through, and you'll end up enlarging/elongating the "exit" hole.
In fact, I don't think they are perpendicular... when the old pin is driven out, there's usually a very slight arc in it.
I think the holes are drilled in such a way to cause the pin to draw the sight blade down against the the top of the rib as the pin is driven through, and place tension on the pin to keep everything together.
Use a new pin, they are cheap enough... Midwayusa has them in stock:
Smith & Wesson Front Sight Pin S&W 36 14 16 17-8 19 24 27 29
I think the way things are going at S&W, you get it faster (but not cheaper) buying from Midway.
People have also made their own using the shank end of a drill bit.
Update: Ok, I just noticed in your post that you have a -8 version and that the pin looks to be a roll pin. What I described above is with the older solid pins, so the link to Midway is for a solid pin... sorry about that. Looks like you'll need to go to S&W.
