Front Sight Repair Kit

[usafcct]

I have been investigating the best, most economical way to replace the colored insert provided in a lot of S&W revolvers.
I recently purchased a M29-2 that someone has put a yellow plastic insert in the front sight. Not a good job of it either. It appears a piece of plastic was carved and glued in place. My intent is to bring it back to factory specs.
Purchasing hobby resins and coloring was going to cost $35 - $40. No guarantee of a color match. Brownells has a kit for this purpose but it has been pricey - $61.
It is on sale now. I just purchased this kit for $45 plus shipping. I have read many satisfactory reviews. I'll follow up with results and pics after I receive and use this kit.
You must log in to see this price. Just pulling it up on the site it still costs $61. Once logged in the price is reduced.

 

[Leonard]

I have used the Brownells kits for years, they work very well.

 

[Alk8944]

The Brownell's kit works well and powders can be mixed to adjust color. Before changing color be aware that S&W did use yellow inserts in the 1950s. Even though yours may have been replaced the color may have been original, or similar!

This is an Acrylic Resin kit, same resins as sold as women's fingernail kits, and for less money. Coloring dyes are available in a multitude of colors. Just FYI. Many think the Brownell's kit is Epoxy based, it is not!

 

[Gunhacker]

Many years ago before front sight kits were common, I saw a method in a Gun Digest gunsmithing book that has worked well for me for decades, and it is very inexpensive.

It's Testor's fluorescent model paint mixed into Devcon 2-Ton epoxy. I bought a bottle of orange and red, I drained out most of the separated solvent, keeping enough to cover the pigment to keep it from drying out.

It doesn't take much pigment to color the epoxy and easy to mix the orange and red to get a dead bang match to the factory color. I dip a tooth pick in the paint bottle and add a droplet at a time to the epoxy until I get what I'm looking for.

It has stood the test of time and usage on one of my guns, a M-29-2, for over 30 years.

 

[RMFnLA]

Many years ago before front sight kits were common, I saw a method in a Gun Digest gunsmithing book that has worked well for me for decades, and it is very inexpensive.

It's Testor's florescent model paint mixed into Devcon 2-Ton epoxy. I bought a bottle of orange and red, I drained out most of the separated solvent, keeping enough to cover the pigment to keep it from drying out.

It doesn't take much pigment to color the epoxy and easy to mix the orange and red to get a dead bang match to the factory color. I dip a tooth pick in the paint bottle and add a droplet at a time to the epoxy until I get what I'm looking for.

It has stood the test of time and usage on one of my guns, a M-29-2, for over 30 years.

I did many inserts using this method when I 'smithed in Florida.

I mostly did S&Ws but there was one 6" Python I did and then saw for sale at a gun show in Ocala.

I got a kick out of having to tell the seller that no, it was not a factory special order, but thanks for the compliment.

 

[maxtherabbit]

What do you use to keep the goo situated in the dovetail while it's setting up?

 

[chief38]

What do you use to keep the goo situated in the dovetail while it's setting up?

A couple of popsicle sticks or similar.