Model 58 no front sight...

[Xfuzz]

Picked up a small Smith collection yesterday.
Like new model 58 in the batch.
Front sight missing.
Checked the gun safe floor, the box ...no luck.

Any ideas on a fix ....?
Thanks in advance.

 

[s&wchad]

S&W probably has a correct height front sight. The pin needs to be knocked out, the sight put in place and the sight bottom drilled through the existing pin holes.

Some here might be able to do it themselves, but I won't attempt that on such a nice gun. I'd contact S&W and see if they'd be willing to send you a shipping label and do the work.

 

[CALREB]

Looks like the pin is still in the barrel. I can't see how they got the old sight out unless it broke somehow. I will tell you it is a pain to get the pin put back in in the proper spot, due to the pin located right on the barrel contour. Stainless guns you can get it back in as close as possible, then fold some fine sandpaper and go back over the surface to blend it back in. It can look pretty good. Maybe SW has some sort of arbor press or way to push the pin back in and keep it straight, so it lines up in the curved area. Of course, SW or someone like Turnbull or here has the knowhow. I have seen new pins used that have a nice, rounded ends and when made the perfect length don't look bad just not quite original.

 

[2152hq]

If the pin is still lined up correctly with the curve in the bbl, just don't knock it all the way out/free of the bbl. Punch if just far enoughthrough to allow the new blade to be seated.
Then push/punch it back into place.

Place a piece of round brass stock on the side of the bbl where the pin will be seated when the blade is installed. have the round stock match the contour of the concave surface of the rib/bbl area and clamp that piece of brass into place.
Then when the pin is driven into place it will not go any farther than necessary plus, if the contour of the head is just a tiny bit off in matching the bbl contour, as it meets the brass rod it will turn and match it's contour as it seats. That will match the bbl surface.

Don't over do it with the punch at the other end. Place a piece of thin leather over the pin to avoid marring it. I often use a hard wood plug to hammer them in.
Clamp the new blade down into position as well for the install. Line up the pin hole and the hole in the blade from the one side with a slave pin or punch first.
The pin shouldn't go into place with any great resistance.

...or send it off for a Field Trip to Headquarters.

 

[Xfuzz]

I am going with the field trip to the mother ship.
If they will do it.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Some of the old gunslicks used to advocate removing front sights for fast, close work, to prevent any chance of snagging.

It would be interesting to hear what they think about today's red dot sights, lights, and whistles. Okay, I made up the last one.

 

[Xfuzz]

Heard back from Smith....6-9 month turnaround.....
IF they have the part.
Going to check out other options.

 

[ken158]

If you get a new sight, they do not come with a pre-drilled hole. Got the correct size drill bit and with sight in the hole and pushed forward as possible, used a mechanical hand drill to start a hole in each side. When I had a good divots with the bit I fastened the sight to a piece of wood and put under my drill press for additional drilling on both sides. Once I had a hole, I examined and dressed it up with a stone and installed the sight. Nobody that has ever seen it did not think it was factory.

 

[glenwolde]

Try Briley in Houston...