J frame with better fixed sights

[SunsetSam]

Would anyone else like to see better fixed sights on the J frame snubbies?

I'm in the market for a pocket gun. It seems like most of the small semi autos have pretty decent fixed sights. I really like the Kahr P380.

I'd rather get a snubbie for reliability and a better caliber than .380. Plus, they are just cool.

I had a model 940 in 9mm years ago. I loved the looks of the gun, but the stainless sights were terrible. I painted the front sight orange, but that didn't help much. I also had problems with the cases sticking on that gun which sounds pretty common for the 940. It was pretty heavy too for pocket carry.

I have yet to see a 340 M&P, but it sounds like the sights on it are nearly what I'm looking for. I wish they would make a version without the lock.

I think Smith and Wesson would only have to raise the sights on their fixed sight snubbies about 1/16 of an inch to get a much better set of sights on the gun. I'd love to see a 3 dot tritium set up.

 

[SunsetSam]

Would anyone else like to see better fixed sights on the J frame snubbies?

I'm in the market for a pocket gun. It seems like most of the small semi autos have pretty decent fixed sights. I really like the Kahr P380.

I'd rather get a snubbie for reliability and a better caliber than .380. Plus, they are just cool.

I had a model 940 in 9mm years ago. I loved the looks of the gun, but the stainless sights were terrible. I painted the front sight orange, but that didn't help much. I also had problems with the cases sticking on that gun which sounds pretty common for the 940. It was pretty heavy too for pocket carry.

I have yet to see a 340 M&P, but it sounds like the sights on it are nearly what I'm looking for. I wish they would make a version without the lock.

I think Smith and Wesson would only have to raise the sights on their fixed sight snubbies about 1/16 of an inch to get a much better set of sights on the gun. I'd love to see a 3 dot tritium set up.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have the Model 60 3" Bbl. plain ramp
front and adj. rear. The bbl len. and
stock large grip makes it more than a
pocket gun more a light belt gun.

Have you looked at the NightGuard series -
the 315 is a 6 shot k-frame with the
tritium front Dot and C&S extreme duty fixed
rear.

Randall

 

[SunsetSam]

Originally posted by BlindJustice:
I have the Model 60 3" Bbl. plain ramp
front and adj. rear. The bbl len. and
stock large grip makes it more than a
pocket gun more a light belt gun.

Have you looked at the NightGuard series -
the 315 is a 6 shot k-frame with the
tritium front Dot and C&S extreme duty fixed
rear.

Randall

I glanced at the NightGuard series, but I'd really want a J frame for pocketability.

The new 642 PowerPort model definately has what looks like a good front sight. I wonder if they cut the rear notch deeper too?

 

[LH2]

M&P 340 sights are excellent. As good as it gets on a J Frame anyway.

 

[SunsetSam]

Originally posted by LH2:
M&P 340 sights are excellent. As good as it gets on a J Frame anyway.

Good to hear. I can't wait to see one for myself. I have read at least one comment by someone that they didn't like the U notch on the rear sight of the M&P though.

For anyone wondering why I want good sights on a snubbie: I had the S&W 940 and could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. I rented a Glock 27 small frame .40 S&W years ago. The easily picked up sights made it easy to shoot. I still have a Colt Pocket 9. Again, the sights make that gun easy to shoot well despite it having a real double action only trigger.

 

[SunsetSam]

Oh, if anyone is wondering why I don't just carry the Pocket 9 it is because I consider it more of a collector's gun now. I love the looks, size and handling of the pistol, I just want to keep it in good condition.

I remember a J frame printing less, I like the reliability aspect and I just want one again

 

[Wyatt Earp]

I used to think a J frame's fixed sights could be better then I realized that it is a weapon that not only points fantastically well, but also it is a weapon intended for up close and personal combat.

Once I had that epiphany, the current sights made perfect sense.

 

[SunsetSam]

OK, I finally got to hold a 340 M&P with the Crimson Trace laser grips. The sights on it are much better than the ones on my old 940. The sights look like they would be quick and accurate.

The laser grips looked and felt great too. They weren't as thick as I thought they were. I like how they cover the backstrap and fill that area in the web of my hand. The laser looked very useful too.

Decisions, decisions... do I get a M&P with the better sights and the dreaded lock or a lockless 442 or 642? Laser grips would help make up for the bad sights on the 442/642 and I could always sell the 442/642 later should they make a lockless 340 M&P. Hmmmm...

 

[Wyatt Earp]

If you must have a new, lockless J frame, get the 442 and add the laser grips. Then send it to any competent pistolsmith who should be able to mill off the front sight, cut a dovetail of the correct size, and press in a Big Dot.

 

[SunsetSam]

I saw a 642 PowerPort today. It has a white dot front sight and what looks to be the normal shallow cut rear sight. With the shallow rear sight I couldn't see the bottom of the white dot with the sights lined up. This set of sights looked better than the typical S&W snubbie sights.

The 340 M&P had the best sights by far with the Trijicon dot front sight and the deeper U groove rear sight.

If I see a lockless 442 or 642 in a store I may buy it. I'd really like to avoid the hassle and possible disappointment of going through a gunsmith if I can. There are all sorts of firearms I could buy now with my hard earned cash and I don't have to have a snubbie. If S&W made a lockless 340 M&P though I'd buy it for sure.

 

[SunsetSam]

I'm on the lookout for a no lock 642 now.

If you had a snubbie that came with similar sights to the 642 and had them improved please post pictures and mention the gunsmith and the cost. I'm seeing a few places that mention improving the sights, but not many pictures.

I think just deepening the rear sight on the 642 similar to the M&P 340 would improve things dramatically.

 

[Captain38]

Hamilton Bowen of Bowen Classic Arms, Louisville, TN, offers a great looking fixed rear sight for J-frame revolvers.

You MIGHT wish to contact him for details.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/default.htm

 

[SunsetSam]

Thanks Captain38. The Bowen high visibility sight installation looks great. The price is scary though at $295

Here is the catalog link with pictures at the bottom:

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/SWpackages.htm

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

I have two J-frames, a Model 651-1 and a 63-3. Personally, I can't abide by the red ramp front sight, as that darn plastic insert always seems to refract light at the wrong time. My plan is to have my gunsmith install a Wiegand base that will allow different sight blades. That way I can tinker to my heart's content. If it won't fit, I'll have him pin in a plain black blade.

 

[johngalt]

On my 642, black sights instead of alloy-colored would be an improvement.

 

[fm2]

Originally posted by johngalt:
On my 642, black sights instead of alloy-colored would be an improvement.

I used a sharpie and colored mine in.

 

[Jhp147]

I have one of the early 642s, and asked this question here a long time ago. I got some expensive answers. I wound up doing the Sharpie thing. Can't beat the cost vs. efficacy ratio.