How do I convert a fixed sight revolvers to adjustable

[ahpd1992]

Howdy all, I am looking to install a rear sight on my model 619. The 619 was the replacement for the 65 and of course you can't get either now. I love the bull barrel on the gunner, I just would like better sights. I know s&w makes a bull barrel gun with adjustable sights (the model 67 I believe) in .38 special, I want to do that to this gun if possible. Anyone know a gunsmith or someone else that can do this

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[snubbiefan]

I have seen one which had a dovetail sight-cut on top of the frame....and an adjustable sight installed. Thinking on it now....I believe it was a Ruger. There may not be enough meat on the Smith frame to do this. Won't hurt to contact someone like A.P.W. Cogan and see what they say. I suppose anything can be done by a proper smith with the know-how.

 

[Doug M.]

With a stack of cash. If it were me, I'd consider the C&S fixed sight. Still a pain in the tush, but probably cheaper than adjustable and plenty visible.

 

[steelslaver]

I haven't looked at the top of a 619, but most of them you can mill in the slot and the spot above the hammer. Then you have to mill in that little slot for the elevation nut. Oh, yea thread and tap the spot to hold down the leaf. I have done it to a model 10 and a 1937 Brazilian.

How much it would cost to have someone do it I don't know.

 

[DR505]

Alan Harton of Houston, TX, perfromed this job on a Ruger Vaquero of mine...he put this J-Frame adjustable sight where the fixed sight channel used to be:

 

[ahpd1992]

Anyone know a 'smith in Northern Illinois that can do it

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[k22fan]

If you don’t have your own milling machine and want to install an adjustable sight yourself as a hobby the only financially sensible choice is to sell your 619 and buy an adjustable sighted .357.

That said, J frame sights are easier to install than larger frame sights because you don’t have to mill the slot for the elevation nut. I installed one myself on a 36 once with only files, a drill and tap. It came out looking almost factory, but it took a long time.

Don’t forget that for most any adjustable to work you also have to add a taller front sight.

 

[dfariswheel]

Most good gunsmiths won't install an adjustable sight in the frame of a fixed sight revolver like the S&W due to insufficient metal. Once the metal is milled away for the sight, the frame is weakened too much.

One option is the Wonder Sight.

Wondersight « Hollow Point Bullet Mold Service

 

[shawn mccarver]

I do not mean to be snarky about this, but the BEST way to convert the fixed sight 619 into an adjustable sight revolver is to trade it for the 620, which is virtually the same gun as the 619, but with adjustable sights.

 

[colt_saa]

Howdy all, I am looking to install a rear sight on my model 619. The 619 was the replacement for the 65 and of course you can't get either now. I love the bull barrel on the gunner, I just would like better sights. I know s&w makes a bull barrel gun with adjustable sights (the model 67 I believe) in .38 special, I want to do that to this gun if possible. Anyone know a gunsmith or someone else that can do this

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While this conversion is of course possible, you might consider trying to find a 620 revolver which is the adjustable sighted version of the 619. A 620 will be hard to locate, but the 619 is probably just as rare.

As mentioned above, in a conversion the front sight would need to be milled off and replaced as well.

 

[steelslaver]

Most good gunsmiths won't install an adjustable sight in the frame of a fixed sight revolver like the S&W due to insufficient metal. Once the metal is milled away for the sight, the frame is weakened too much.

Once the sight slots are milled away it has exactly the same amount of metal a regular adjustable sight gun has. At least that's how my K frame an N frame measure compared to adjustable sight guns of the same frame size.

 

[ahpd1992]

I do not mean to be snarky about this, but the BEST way to convert the fixed sight 619 into an adjustable sight revolver is to trade it for the 620, which is virtually the same gun as the 619, but with adjustable sights.

No you not being snarky, I had the opportunity to buy a 620 when I bought the 619. The 619 was about $100 cheaper at the time, now of course I will be spending a lot more than $100 to convert the 619. If I find a 620 I might have to just buy it. Anyone interested in a 619 I'll break even at $500

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[2ndAmendmentNut]

This is not going to be the answer you want, but I would highly recommend you not add adjustable sights to your fixed sight gun. The cost of having it done right would probably cover half of what a good old used adjustable sight revolver off of gunbroker will cost. Besides even if you do pay for it to be done right it will really hurt the value of your current piece.

 

[snubbiefan]

I second that notion/motion. If you want a gun with adjustable sights.....purchase one that has them already. All you're going to do is make a one-of that you may love and plan to hang onto forever, but we all have sold guns that we planned to hang onto forever.

 

[Green Frog]

It's your gun and it's your money, so the final decision is yours, but by and large, unless you can do the work yourself or have a long-suffering friend who will humor you, the cost of the conversion is not economical, especially in view of the loss of value to the altered gun after all is said and done. If you want a 620, you could probably find one and buy it faster and for less money (after you sell the 619) than you could have a reputable gunsmith do it for you. JMHO ~ you might get lucky, but I doubt it.

Froggie

PS All of the foregoing having been said, I'm currently debating with myself over putting a set of J-frame adjustables on a pre-War I-frame, but that's because the resultant gun would be an homage to a very high dollar gun that's not readily available... there are exceptions to every rule, just make sure you know what "rules" you are dealing with!

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I am going to draw on my years of aircraft repair, both USAF and civilian, for experience in conversions......don't attempt it!

You will be surprised at the compromises required. I worked on experimentals for a chap who just knew that the aircraft design engineers did not understand airplanes. He always wanted to find improvements to little annoyances. None of them ever worked out as advertised. Sure, they were "legal" (aircraft modification is highly regulated) but they were expensive to purchase and install and provided little if any improvement in airspeed.

I'm with the guys who are recommending finding a 620, same gun with a beefier frame to support the sights. Oh, and keep the 619, you will come to appreciate the smoother, simpler setup.

 

[Doug M.]

Even better, and although pricy, potentially easier to find: a 686 Mountain Gun. Seven round capacity, without that butt ugly full lug barrel. I think mine is a -5; no lock, but I think MIM trigger, and as I recall, hammer mounted FP, but I would have to look.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Even better, and although pricy, potentially easier to find: a 686 Mountain Gun. Seven round capacity, without that butt ugly full lug barrel. I think mine is a -5; no lock, but I think MIM trigger, and as I recall, hammer mounted FP, but I would have to look.

Correct the -4 was the last of the 686s with the hammer mounted firing pin. The -5 got the MIM parts. The -6 got the lock.

 

[steelslaver]

Although as I have stated it is possible, I wouldn't want to pay for it. Takes a lot of time. The actual milling isn't to bad, but setting everything up just right takes time. I am sure that you would be money ahead to buy an adjustable sight revolver with the same frame and then sell the one you have. The ones I have done it to I got a long time ago and my time is free.

 

[dfariswheel]

Once the sight slots are milled away it has exactly the same amount of metal a regular adjustable sight gun has. At least that's how my K frame an N frame measure compared to adjustable sight guns of the same frame size.

Suffice to say that S&W will refuse to install an adjustable sight on a fixed sight S&W due to lack of strength of the altered frame.