Mod. 39-2 sights

[donkat15]

Need a little help on sight issue. I have my original 39-2 (short extractor), with it's factory rear lollipop, windage only sight. Front sight is the low, fixed ramp. Also have purchased the lollipop fully adj. W and Elev. S&W #190090000, for 39/59. In some pictures, I've seen a Mod. 59 with slightly different fully adj. rear sights. Does anyone know if that is true?
My real question is concerning the front ramp. I have the Millett Series 100 rear set for the 39, but they sit too high. What does one do with the front? I also have second 39 slide, if hard work is needed on the fixed ramp. I do not want to modify the original. I would like too keep the Millets. Yes, sometimes we just like to play and make changes. Any suggestions; pro or con??
Thanks

 

[Sevens]

Wow, I suppose I am replying simply to tag the conversation and see who can come up with a suggestion that I like. Because if the rear sits too HIGH, you can only find a way to lower the rear (?) or bring the front sight HIGHER, and I can imagine many ways to do that... except some very serious and skillful metal work that would be labor intensive AND expensive and even then, I kind of think it may look really odd on what we can all agree is a very classy and very classic, established pistol.

Bottom line for me? Ugh, I like the original windage-only rear sight, and I'm just not seeing better options than that for a 39-2. Of course, this is merely my opinion and it would seem that we are coming from different places on this.

Good luck!

 

[donkat15]

Thanks for the reply. I too agree not to modify my orig., factory slide to accommodate any after market sights. I have both factory S&Ws for the rear and the Milletts are made for the 39. Like I mentioned, I have a 2nd used slide...mill off the ramp and have a dovetail cut into the flat. I can wait to do anything; no time limits or down time involved.
Appreciate your opinion, as much as any others. They all help.
Thank you again.

 

[JohnHL]

IIRC, Millett 100 sights were sold as a set including a higher ramp front sight that was installed in place of the factory front sight (which was milled/filed off).
Two holes were then drilled and the new, higher sight was staked in place.

I had a set on a 469 slide that I traded off.
Very visible and adjustable.

John

 

[lhump1961]

If there was ONE thing I would like to change on my 39-2's is the sights. All black is tough on these old eyes but it's not the only model I have with all black sights. I'm lucky enough that one of my blued 39-2's has a red ramp front so I shoot that one mostly. I'm not sure I've seen another red ramp on a 39-2 but mine is an insert and not painted...looks factory but perhaps somewhere in it's history someone had it done. If so it was done well. Not sure if it can be seen it this pic but it's the rear gun.

 

[donkat15]

Thanks for both new replies. Yes, hard to see those front sights when dark. I have also painted a few dots, as well as having red inserts installed. Having the second slide, I will have any milling done on it and keep my factory as original. Maybe a red insert. Just found the Millett front dovetail (orange). In no hurry, so I will keep watching for other opinions and inputs.
Thanks again.

 

[Engine49guy]

Since the front site is part of the slide on the 1st and 2nd gens your choices are to replace the rear with one that is adjustable for windage and yardage, grind off the FS and dovetail the slide or replace it with a 3rd gen series gun.

BTW IIRC while the 3rd gen slide might work with a 2nd gen it will not work with a first gen 39 or 39-2 because of the safety change.