Front sight on a 642

[frogger]

My daily carry gun is a S&W 642-1. I love the size and feel of the gun, but hate the mostly non-existent sights. I visited my local fun shop today and was talking to the gunsmith about this issue. I asked if he could grind the front sight off and mill the barrel to take the pinned on front sight some J-frames offer. Then, I'd put an XS front sight on it. He said it would not be possible with that barrel. He said if I really wanted the XS front sight, he could order me a replacement barrel from S&W that accepted that sight. Otherwise, for about $35, he could cut a dovetail into the front sight ramp and install one of those orange inserts like you see on some of the larger revolvers. That options seems like a good compromise, but I wanted to see what you wheel gun gurus thought. I like the idea of the orange insert since it would then have the same front sight picture as my 686-4. What do you guys (and gals) think?

Oh... and since no thread is complete without pics, here is my S&W 642-1 posing with its big brother that has the orange insert from the factory.

 

[qballwill]

Iwould simply go with the orange insert.

 

[Pioneer461]

The 642 sights are small by design, the gun being a hide-out, back-up. I find that a simple application of day glow orange paint (a couple of coats) works well. Available at hobby shops near you.

 

[lacerda023]

XS

XS Sights does actually make a Big or Small dot sight but you have to mill the front sight down and it fits over a tab you leave when milling. Red lock tite press it on and good to go.

Sorry I don't have picture capabilities...

 

[n121br]

The lack of sights on the 642 and 442 sure makes it easier to pull in and out of my inside coat pocket. I added a pair of Ahrends morodillo oil rubbed grips and makes it evan easier than the stock rubbers.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I've had great luck using Testors Enamel on my J Frame snubbies..
Clean the area first with Acetone or Alcohol to remove any oils & apply with a toothpic & allow to dry overnight with the angeled ramp level & re-apply as needed to fill in the ridges, clean up with a Q-Tip soaked in Acetone & your set, If you mess it up clean it of with solvent & start again, Also Acetone won't harm blueing even though your 642-1 is stainless..
Here's a couple of pics I took of my 940s front sight after the Testors treatment.. The 940 has a fatter barrel & smaller site than the 642.
Sight down the gun & see were you want the paint first..
As you can see I had a super small amount of paint get on the next ridge but cleaned it off later with a tooth pic..
Cost $3..
Gary/Hk
S&W M940 Front Sight - Testors Flouresent Orange
Magnification Via Eye Loupe

 

[epj]

+1 on the Testors paint. Works great and is very durable. Several of my guns have had that treatment, including my 642.

 

[mlk18]

I performed this same mod on my 642 with luminescent green paint. Works well and really stands out.

 

[153]

The front sight is too thin on a standard j frame for the orange insert to be real secure. Go with the paint option and if you don't like it's easy to remove.

 

[Forsmithers]

+2 on painting the sight yourself. I have had great luck using orange Rustoleum paint. The front sight is very visible after adding the orange paint and I use a toothpick like Headnocker suggested. And it is way cheaper than having a gunsmith do his magic. Not to mention that a larger sight might also affect how your revolver fits in a holster that was designed for something with stock sights.

 

[SPDGG]

Another Option:
- Mill down the front ramp & cut a dove tail with appropriate front sight.

* Another member posted a pic of a 642 that had something similar. I will look for that post/pic.