Model 19 sight base?

[dthughes]

Picked up a 19-5 recently for a very right price. Rear sight base is too short for the top strap. How long is it supposed to be, and when I go shopping, how do I find the right rear sight assembly? Here's a pic of the problem:

If anyone happens to have a spare rear sight assembly for a 19-5, I'd appreciate a pm or email.
Thanks.
Dave

 

[RychenCop]

it's supposed to be flush with the barrel. looks like the wrong sight is installed. try Brownells

 

[BUFF]

That is the correct rear sight unless the gun is a 2-1/2 incher. The 4 and 6 inch Model 19's (and other target sighted K frames) have that gap on the frame's topstrap between the front edge of the sight body and the frame/barrel junction. The shorter ones don't. The pinned and recessed guns have that vacant space on the frame grooved or striated, like the top of the sight body and the barrel rib, but when S&W eliminated the pinned and recessed feature, they also discontinued grooving that portion of the frame.

The situation lasted until S&W began rounding the front end of the rear sight body.

 

[dthughes]

That is the correct rear sight unless the gun is a 2-1/2 incher. The 4 and 6 inch Model 19's (and other target sighted K frames) have that gap on the frame's topstrap between the front edge of the sight body and the frame/barrel junction. The shorter ones don't. The pinned and recessed guns have that vacant space on the frame grooved or striated, like the top of the sight body and the barrel rib, but when S&W eliminated the pinned and recessed feature, they also discontinued grooving that portion of the frame.

The situation lasted until S&W began rounding the front end of the rear sight body.

Wow! Appreciate the prompt response. The sight is part of the reason I got such a good price on the gun ($350)--the seller (and I) was convinced it had been messed up. Sure seems like sloppy workmanship on the part of S&W, though.
Dave

 

[VM]

Dave - have you taken that sight completely off the gun? I'm curious what the mark is on the topstrap frame at the end of the sight.

 

[diamonback68]

Dave - have you taken that sight completely off the gun? I'm curious what the mark is on the topstrap frame at the end of the sight.

Mike, I agree and curious too. Looks like someone might have drilled and tapped it for a scope mount, but that would be a dumb place to tap it right over the forcing cone.

BTW, the sight is correct.

 

[dthughes]

Mike, I agree and curious too. Looks like someone might have drilled and tapped it for a scope mount, but that would be a dumb place to tap it right over the forcing cone.

BTW, the sight is correct.

Complete disassembly and cleaning is on schedule for next weekend. I'm not going to try and shoot it until after I finish a very close lookover. My thought was a shallow tapped hole, too, but it has the two holes through the strap above the cylinder all ready for a scope base, so I can't imagine what that blemish is.

Will report back when I learn more about the odditied. The gun has had some "interesting" smithing done to it. The curiousist obvious one is a set screw in the grip to lock the spring tension screw, allowing adjustment of DA pull. Yeah, I know, not a good idea and that one is going away probably with a new spring.

Thanks for the feedback.

Dave

 

[RychenCop]

That is the correct rear sight unless the gun is a 2-1/2 incher. The 4 and 6 inch Model 19's (and other target sighted K frames) have that gap on the frame's topstrap between the front edge of the sight body and the frame/barrel junction. The shorter ones don't. The pinned and recessed guns have that vacant space on the frame grooved or striated, like the top of the sight body and the barrel rib, but when S&W eliminated the pinned and recessed feature, they also discontinued grooving that portion of the frame.

The situation lasted until S&W began rounding the front end of the rear sight body.

wow...i learned something. that sure is ugly.

 

[dthughes]

Updates as promised.

When I got into the guts of this 19, it looks like a variety of people with various skills have "had a turn" at it in the past. Someone asked about the hole visible under the site, and sure enough someone had drilled and tapped a hole in the frame right above the barrel threads. The hole does NOT extend into the barrel or threads and does not seem to have caused any constriction. I am afraid that it may have weakened the frame quite a bit. Anyone have experience or strong opinions on this?

Also, someone installed a ball-lock on the crane (Kuhnhausen talks about these) and it appears to be properly done.

Other interesting or strange is that someone had resolved an endshake problem with two shims on the end of the crane: one is .001 and the other is.002, so it had quite a bit of end shake. The whole thing disassembled (some minor springs and screws are NOT shown here).

Reason I suggest different skill levels involved in the work is the spring and plunger were missing from the cylinder bolt – and I've heard that is prone to go AWOL if you don't know it's there and watch for it to jump.

Finally, the cylinder face of the yoke barrel is out of square about .003 so that needs to be faced. Otherwise, I think this is just a well worn Model 19 that can be restored to a routine shooter without too much more trouble.

My last step is going to be to check headspace and barrel gap and true when I get it reassembled. If that all comes out to spec, then it will be time to tie it to a tire and see if it's safe

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice.