I own a four screw k-22 8 3/8 that has a front patridge sight. Also back sight does not have outline. i want to do something other than nail polish to have colored sights. I have seen sights with a red cube or with a gold dot posted here before. Can this be done to my sight without any permanent damage to gun if i want to put it back to original some day? considered having S&W put a red ramp on but i am afraid of original pin being messed with. Any good ideas out there. I plan to use as a shooter but its a very clean gun. I don't want to ruin its past.
PATRIDGE SIGHT MODIFICATIONS
- Thread starter paplinker
- Start date
I feel just like you about modifying a nice gun. But you want it to suit you as well. You can have inserts installed w/o removing the pin. There's even do-it-yourself kits.
If you don't want to modify your front sight and if your K22 is pre 1957 the front and rear sight may still be serial numbered to your gun but it can only be seen if removed. Pre war targets are and some post wars were numbered.
Is the pin polished flush? If so you can't replace it and have it look factory without repolishing and rebluing or replacing it with a protruding round tipped pin.
Pre wars or early post war guns have rd tip pins. And if the pin is round tipped already, no problem. Buy a replacement sight that you like (there's many choices out there) or one just like yours from Smith or Brownell's and have it modified to what you want.
The proper method to remove/replace the pin is using a concave tipped punch (I made mine with a Dremel tool) that's a little smaller diameter than the pin.
I have seen gunsmiths that marr the finish removing/replacing them because they aren't careful enough and the punch jumps off the pin and nicks the barrel or sight base.
I'm not a gunsmith so my surefire method is to tape around the pin with masking tape. Then take a piece of very thin copper or brass sheet metal, drill a hole in the middle of a 1" square the size of the pin. Tape the square to the masking tape already on the gun. Now if the punch slips it won't scratch the gun surface. Use the same method to reinstall the pin.
Let us know what you decide to do.
If you don't want to modify your front sight and if your K22 is pre 1957 the front and rear sight may still be serial numbered to your gun but it can only be seen if removed. Pre war targets are and some post wars were numbered.
Is the pin polished flush? If so you can't replace it and have it look factory without repolishing and rebluing or replacing it with a protruding round tipped pin.
Pre wars or early post war guns have rd tip pins. And if the pin is round tipped already, no problem. Buy a replacement sight that you like (there's many choices out there) or one just like yours from Smith or Brownell's and have it modified to what you want.
The proper method to remove/replace the pin is using a concave tipped punch (I made mine with a Dremel tool) that's a little smaller diameter than the pin.
I have seen gunsmiths that marr the finish removing/replacing them because they aren't careful enough and the punch jumps off the pin and nicks the barrel or sight base.
I'm not a gunsmith so my surefire method is to tape around the pin with masking tape. Then take a piece of very thin copper or brass sheet metal, drill a hole in the middle of a 1" square the size of the pin. Tape the square to the masking tape already on the gun. Now if the punch slips it won't scratch the gun surface. Use the same method to reinstall the pin.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 21,145
- Reaction score
- 35,563
I personally would NOT cut a notch in the front sight to have a red insert (or any other color ) installed. I do use and would suggest that you try the Testor's Blaze Orange model paint. It comes in 1 ounce bottles, is inexpensive, and lasts forever! It is also available in different colors!
The good part is that should you ever want to restore the front sight back to its original black color, just use a new razor blade to take off the bulk of the paint and then a little gun solvent and a tooth brush to remove the remainder. No harm to the gun and it is as good if not better than the red front notch installed at the Factory.
This of course is just my suggestion, but before you cut anything (irreversible) I would give this inexpensive and easy procedure a try. If you disagree and still want the red insert put into a cut notch, then you can of course do so.
As far as the rear sight is concerned, you can replace the black blade with a w/o one. Not a big job.
Chief38
The good part is that should you ever want to restore the front sight back to its original black color, just use a new razor blade to take off the bulk of the paint and then a little gun solvent and a tooth brush to remove the remainder. No harm to the gun and it is as good if not better than the red front notch installed at the Factory.
This of course is just my suggestion, but before you cut anything (irreversible) I would give this inexpensive and easy procedure a try. If you disagree and still want the red insert put into a cut notch, then you can of course do so.
As far as the rear sight is concerned, you can replace the black blade with a w/o one. Not a big job.
Chief38
Last edited:
OP
Thanks for the input..I was hoping a red square or dot could be glued or a very tiny hole for a post without finish loss. This gun is from 1960-61. model 17 four screw. pin is polished flush. If pin must be removed i will probably have smith save old sight and have a new front and rear outline installed. Hoping for a less invasive approach. paint and back blade change may be my standby.
Rich
Rich
Last edited:
Similar threads
