Model 65 Front Sight Alternatives

[Whit]

The 3” Model 65 is a fine S&W revolver for some folks to carry concealed. The one drawback, to these tired old eyes, is the difficulty in seeing the front sight because of no contrast. There are multiple ways of addressing this issue such as painting the blade, widening the rear notch or replacing the front sight by milling a dovetail and installing a contrasting sight, such as a gold bead post or fiber optic.

If one were to choose to go the replacement route is there a reliable gunsmith who performs this kind of installation. Clark in Louisiana comes to mind. Who would any of you who have done this modification recommend?

I’m not married to the milling option and would like to hear how others have solved this old eye problem or is it a sight problem. Thanks in advance for your comments. Stay safe and have a blessed day.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I can't help with gunsmiths, but one option I've thought about doing with my 642, which has a ramped sight like the 65, is having it reprofiled to more of a "modified" ramp, or Patridge-style, sight, similar to what we see on modern semi-autos. I think a big part of the visibility problem with ramped sights is the shallow angle allowing for lighting conditions to make it less visible, even with paint. By making the rear surface closer to vertical, it should improve the visibility of the front sight, especially if it's also painted.

Also keep in mind that some 65s (it may be all of them...I'm not sure) have pinned front sights, which can make replacement with something else a bit easier. A gunsmith can fabricate a new sight with your desired shape and width and pin that in place. It would probably be less labor-intensive, thus less costly, then milling a dovetail. You may want to check yours. It is difficult to see and you may need a strong light and a magnifying glass. I know the front sight on the 65-3 I used to have was pinned.

Hope that helps.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Model 65 front sight

This was my service revolver (65 no dash) for several years. A friend installed this yellow insert for me. I also used flat black paint on the rear of the milled in rear sight for added contrast and it works well enough. I type this response thanks to this revolver.

 

[Borderboss]

I painted the front sight on my 65-5 with Testors neon green paint. Gets the job done very well and was only a few bucks for the cost of the paint.

 

[kraynky]

I have found that if you paint the front sight white before adding orange, red, green or whatever your eyes see best, it brightens the coloring. My old eyes have trouble as well, and the paint helps, but fiber optics are hard to beat in my experience.

 

[WR Moore]

The angle on the front ramp on the 10, 13, 64 & 65 can make visibility something of an issue. I've tried paint and it's a tossup as to if it's an improvement. Depends upon which way the light is coming from. I've had sight inserts disappear (and take the sight with it) under certain lighting conditions. The option ContinentalOp mentioned has merit, but if you decide you don't like it, you have a real problem.

At one time, Ruger had interchangable front sights for one of their revolvers, I made a front sight base for a Blackhawk for them for a customer. IIRC they came in red, orange, yellow, green and a weird blue. You'd need the dovetail cut in the barrel and modification of the sights, plus a lock screw. Given the height of the stock sight, not really practical or cost effective.

Try Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring Precision. He's somewhere in Texas. The dovetail system is probably your best bet and offers you options. In fact, you might be able to use front sights from some of the S&W 3rd generation auto pistols.

 

[stu1ritter]

If you don't mind some machine work, the Weigand front base that takes S&W interchangeable front sight blades is available from Bowen for about $50. It does require some mill work though to install. I've used it on two barrel shortenings and it works very well and I think maintains the S&W lines quite well. On my 629 below.

Stu

 

[WR Moore]

Looks very nice, gotta write that one down. But, looks like the base might be about as high as the original front sight.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Looks very nice, gotta write that one down. But, looks like the base might be about as high as the original front sight.

I think I agree. Might not be the best option for a fixed-sight service revolver.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I can't help with gunsmiths

I lied. Well, I forgot a gunsmith. Karl Sokol at Chestnut Mountain Sports is a highly regarded gunsmith who works on S&W revolvers. He might be worth checking out to see if he can do the kind of work you're interested in.

 

[CH4]

A buddy had a 3” 13 that he had the front sight milled off, a tenon milled
into the slide and a Big Dot night sight installed. Worked great.

 

[stu1ritter]

Agreed, I don't think it is an option for a fixed sight revolver.

Stu