Front Sight Repacement - Model 65-3 with 3" Heavy Bbl

[AR_Black]

I picked up a Model 65-3 somewhere along the way. Front sight was damaged, now I'll probably put on a HI-Viz. If I were going to use it as a carry piece, then I might put on some type of night sight.

This gun was refinished sometime (probably Lauer duracoat or something), so the pin holding in the front sight was pretty hard to see. I used a 3/16" punch to remove the pin.

Thought y'all might like to see how the FS has been fastened.
And I'll take some AFTER pictures...... might be awhile.

 

[dynamike]

Wow, didn't know that a 65 could be had w/ a pinned front sight. I dovetailed mine and installed a orange insert (mix up plastic and mold) that I got from Brownell's

 

[tomcatt51]

My 3" HB 10-8 came with a factory pinned front sight. I had a .100" wide, .040" FO sight made for it. They use the normal .055" dia. pin but the barrel cut is made with a larger diameter cutter requiring a sight with a "deeper" "half moon" as the pin hole is also lower than in the usual adjustable sight gun pinned front sight.

Warren Moore, Protocall Design, Custom S&W revolver front and rear sights - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!, made the sight for me.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I'm really glad you posted this thread, and added photos. I have a Model 65-3 and Model 13-3, and both have 3.0 inch heavy barrels. AFter viewing your photos, I looked very closely at both of my revolvers. Under strong light, I see where the pin is holding the front sight on the Model 13. The Model 65 does not have this pin, and you can see the difference in the sight ramp construction indicating the front sight on the Model 65 is an integral part of the barrel.

I wish both of the revolvers had a pinned front sight, but I'm really grateful to own both revolvers in the 3.0 inch heavy barrel configuration.

Thanks again,

Dave

 

[jlanecole]

I was just thinking about this yesterday. I have a model 13-1 4" with a pinned-in front sight, and was wondering if there was anyone who made a tritium replacement blade for it. Has anyone had any success finding one?

 

[tomcatt51]

Under strong light, I see where the pin is holding the front sight on the Model 13. The Model 65 does not have this pin, and you can see the difference in the sight ramp construction indicating the front sight on the Model 65 is an integral part of the barrel.

Some are pinned, some are integral. I have seen 3" HB 64's with pinned sights. Seems potluck which are and aren't.

Easiest way to tell is to look at the sight / barrel junction from the muzzle end. On the piined sight models you'll see the line where the sight and barrel meet. Then you look for the pin.

 

[SOUTHPAW]

S&W 13-2 4"

I had Richard Fletcher remove my front sight on my S&W 13-2 4"
He had to mill it off. Then he put a Dovetail cut in it (Novak 65x330x.075)
and install a Novak 1911 Gold Bead Front Sight (.160 Hgt.) He did not stake it in place. I love it!!!!!

Fletcher Custom Pistols

 

[AR_Black]

I didn't see the pin due to the spray-on refinishing, but eventually found it. The prior clue was the sight could move slightly in respect to the barrel. It was either pinned in or a press fit. I don't know if S&W did any pressed in front sights. I'm glad I didn't have to take it to have it milled off (front sight was damaged).

Pin diameter = 0.055
Sight Height = 0.17 above barrel

I've got a HI-VIZ SW1002G coming in next week for a customer's gun, and I'll see if it will work on this Model 65.

 

[AR_Black]

Southpaw - I'd like to see a photo of your front sight if possible. I doubt I'll send this gun off for any work, but like the idea of a gold bead.

 

[AR_Black]

Well, I have ordered six different front sights, none of them will work in the pocket, even if they are modified. This project is an abomination

This gun already has cosmetic issues - pitting that has been bead blasted and a coating applied (possibly Lauer duracoat or equaveltnt), had firing issues possibly due to the bobbed hammer that came with it (replaced with regular hammer and replaced springs). Now shoots OK, but still needs a front sight.

This part from MidwayUSA, special ordered and "supposed" to fit does not. MIDWAY USA Part 582597 I ordered two, they are too short. This part number was given on a schematic somewhere (brownells?) for a Model 65 front sight.

Several models of Hi-Viz fiber-optic sights on hand, none will fit after modification.

The "Pocket" of the barrel is
0.680" long
0.210" deep

And unfortunately, the original front sight looked like it had been dragged behind a car as it had a 30-degree sidways angle when looking at it. Very distracting. And of course, I tore it up removing it so I can't even make a template for one. That pin was hidden by the coating.

I would sell this at a loss, but only if the buyer looks at it first so they know what they are getting. Guess I take it to the next gun show when I can.

Looks like I give up. How depressing. This pistol just "feels good", but what a let-down. John

 

[Double-O-Dave]

AR Black:

I would urge you to contact Hi-Viz Customer Service about this issue. I had the same problem with my Model 64-5 - the mounting tab is simply not big enough to drill through to secure the sight within the mounting slot. They asked me to send them my original front sight and the Hi-Viz fiber optic sight (also purchased from Midway), and they said they would find a front sight that would work on my revolver. Unfortunately, I've been too busy to take them up on their offer. It will probably be a couple of months before I have time to do this, and I'll post results once I have done so.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[haggis]

Get an SDM or similar sight, fiber optic or gold dot, 0.250" high. With a file, remove material (about 0.080") from the bottom flat of the sight until the sight height is your desired 0.170". The process of shortening your sight blade will simultaneously lengthen the base tab by 0.080", enough to fit the deeper slot. I did this to a M10-8 and it worked perfectly.

Buck

 

[tomcatt51]

Get an SDM or similar sight, fiber optic or gold dot, 0.250" high. With a file, remove material (about 0.080") from the bottom flat of the sight until the sight height is your desired 0.170".

I did that and really didn't like it. Went this way:

 

[AR_Black]

I'll probably sell this one at a gunshow as-is,,,,,,, or put on Gunbroker with a disclaimer "gunsmith special" or "gun-hack special"

Found some better guns here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...9438-3-model-65-soss-339-a.html#post136523796

 

[Bat Guano]

Got to looking at this thread late last night and pulled out a nice smooth, but finish challenged Model 10-6 with a somewhat worn down front sight from holster wear. It shoots high with loads in the 158 grain range but right on with faster 110 grainers. I had reluctantly concluded that the front sight was integral with the barrel as I could see no sign that it was a separate part and pinned. With the help of the above posted photos, good light, and an optivisor I discovered that there really IS a pin there.

Since this is a VERY smooth old Model 10 that just shoots higher than I would like, I sent off an e-mail to the factory inquiring as to the availability of a new front sight and pin for it. I am not banking on it, though. I also gave Numrich and Sarco a shot online; no luck.

Any ideas on where I might find a new sight???

Thanks.

 

[AR_Black]

Bat - yes, that is the question.... where can one find a new front sight? Please let us know if S&W gives you any reply.

OR, you can remove the front sight and have a new one fabricated. If you take it off, please take a photo of the sight and include measurements.

John

 

[Bat Guano]

S&W says no replacement sights available; referred me to an outfit called Guns and Gun Parts but no luck there. Have tried Numrich and a number of small outfits to no avail. Will pursue it further as ther must be one out there somewhere. Making one from stock is always an option, I guess.

 

[tomcatt51]

Will pursue it further as ther must be one out there somewhere.

Read posts 3, 12, 13.

You can modify a taller (.250 or .300) SDM to fit or Warren Moore, Protocall Design, Custom S&W Revolver Front and Rear Sight Photos - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!, will make you a .125 or .100 wide sight, with or without FO, to the height you want if you contact him.

I've used both. I originally modified an SDM front sight for my 3" HB 10-8, then went with a Protocall Design front sight.