S&W 915 sights

[marcus99]

I recently picked up a very clean 915 to add to my growing 2nd and 3rd gen collection. I'm leaving it stock (not that there is much available to modify it), except for the rear sight. That sight is awful and must go. I see Trijicon made sights for these, part # SA04, but I assume they are no longer produced as I cannot find them anywhere. What other sights will fit the 915? Would any aftermarket sights made for the early 5906's fit as well? Thanks

 

[stansdds]

The Model 915 used the same sights as the early production (pre-Novak) 3rd gen 9mm pistols. Hope that helps, but there really is not much in the way of aftermarket sights for the early 3rd gen 9mm pistols these days.

 

[jsbethel]

The SA04 is still listed on the Trijicon website so they haven't been discontinued yet. That sight set is your only option.

Trijicon Bright & Tought Night Sights - Smith & Wesson 411, 915, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5924, 5926, 5944, and 5946 | Trijicon(R)

 

[Heymatt]

Optics Planet is another option.

 

[marcus99]

Thanks, I don't need a new set, honestly a dead set would be fine. Really just something with an outline. I'll keep an eye out on ebay, and if anyone has an old dead set in their parts bin please feel free to message me.

 

[jsbethel]

All of these factory rear sights fit the same cut. They are essentially the same sight but differ in presentation (outline/dots/blank).

100790000 - 469/669 white outline
104500000 - early 3906/5906/6906 white dots
234490000 - 915/411 blank

 

[marcus99]

Thank you jsbethel, somehow your post escaped me. I still haven't gotten to shooting my 915 (hence why it is still grimey behind the hammer), I've been busy with a 5906 project.

But after seeing your comment that the early 3906/6906 sights interchanged with the 915 I dug my 1989 6906 out of the gunsafe and sure enough they appear identical in dovetail dimensions and overall shape. The white dot rear sight still isn't great by modern standards but is still far better than the 915's blank.

I've been searching ebay trying to find a white dot 3906/5906/6906 sight but there aren't any. Makes sense I suppose given the relatively short timespan of production.

 

[Green Frog]

A slightly different approach to your problem… I acquired an orphan 915 slide for my Model 639 Franken-Smith project. Then I sought out a set of Millett Target sights (front and rear) and installed them. They give great sight definition, even to my old eyes. FWIW, I found the sights NOS on flea-Bay for about fifty bucks.
Froggie

 

[guzzitaco]

Another option could be to mill the slide to accept a Novak sight. I've done it with a file, it is time consuming, but can be done. The "blank" space could be touched with cold bluing and it would not get noticed since it is covered by the sight body.





Personally, I prefer a black sight, with a "notch" in the rear and a white dot or fiber optic in front...

Guzzi

 

[upcountry]

I had mine done for Novaks.
It was a good decision.

 

[marcus99]

Thanks all. Jsbethel very generously is sending me an early white-dot sight off his 5906. This won't be a heavy range use gun so that sight will be more than sufficient.

 

[dsk]

What I don't like about the 915 and other early 3rd-gen rears is the fact that it's so rounded. I prefer a sight with a flat surface on top.

 

[stansdds]

What I don't like about the 915 and other early 3rd-gen rears is the fact that it's so rounded. I prefer a sight with a flat surface on top.

S&W started the round top rear sight with the 469/669 compact pistols, then continued with it on the early production 39xx, 59xx and 69xx pistols. I think a better sight was the fixed rear sight on the x39 and x59 pistols, which had a wide and flat top.

 

[jsbethel]

I think a better sight was the fixed rear sight on the x39 and x59 pistols, which had a wide and flat top.

I believe those also fit the same cut as the 915.