Should I or shouldn't I?

[randy_68]

I recently bought a 629-2 with the unfluted cyl to hunt with and I have a dilema. I just plain suck with open sights. I have practiced weekly and still don't feel comfortable taking this hunting. Now the season is over so I have a year to get readyfor next season. My question is "Should I have this gun drilled and tapped so I can mount an optic of some sort?" Do you think this would hurt the value. I don't plan on ever getting rid of it as I bought it to use.
I have a newer 686 that I had a reddot on and it is very accutate out to 50 yards and I would like to be able to use my 44 like that.
I know some will say to buy a newer model but that isn't going to happen.
Your thoughts on this please.

 

[ken158]

Don't "ruin" any gun by drilling holes... If you suck with open sights then try a scoped handgun before investing - much harder to shoot than open sights... Red dot is ok and if you are determined to hunt with a handgun then get some 180 grain ammo and hunt with the 686.

 

[MattJames]

I'd say do it...it's yours. Plus, the rear sight covers the screw holes, so they're hidden if you'd ever want to go back to the original sights. If I bought it from you, I wouldn't mind that it was done...I'd be thankful to have the option.

 

[qballwill]

Its your gun, do what you want. Especially if you have no plans on selling it or keeping it as a collector piece. If you just feel guilty about it, sell it as is and buy a 629-4 or newer that is already drilled and tapped from the factory. I personally dont like doing anything that i cant reverse, but thats just me.
I have a 686 that has a red dot on it and a ruger 22/45 with a red dot. I personally shoot better with an optic than open sights. I know many people that shoot better with open sights.

 

[HarrishMasher]

A 44 mag revolver is NOT a good first revolver to learn on or practice with. I think you are much better off buying a 38 or 357 with a 4 to 6 inch barrel and practice with 38s.

Once you are comfortable with that, move up to the 44.

 

[arjay]

If the problem isn't your eyesight,you could try lots of dry fire practice focusing on follow through and then shoot some 44 specials.

 

[Dot_mdb]

If you already have good shooting skills than your problem with the iron sights is almost certainly due to eyesight. I know this from personal experience. As we age our ability to clearly see the front sight decreases. The proper glasses can completely change this situation. You will need a doctor who understands what shooters need and you have to stress that you want to see clearly at the distance your eye is from the front sight.

Bill

 

[H Richard]

I agree, hunting in the field, at unknown distances, with all kinds of trees and brush in the background, iron sights are not easy to see. I applaud your efforts to not make a bad shot and only wound an animal. Since you state a new/different gun isn't going to happen, I would drill & tap the top strap, BUT, have the gunsmith not drill all the way through the top strap, the regular rear sight will "cover up" the holes if you want to put the Iron sights back on, but if you keep this as you intend, you will never take the scope off. Be sure to place the rear sight is a bag,properly marked what gun it came off of,and put it in the original box if you still have it. I know, that unless you practice all the time, a scope or red dot is much easier to shoot more accurately. Be sure to just use a lower power scope, 2-4X, and some prefer a Red Dot.

 

[Cpo1944]

This is good advise, I had a pair of glasses made with the right -dominant/shooting eye- corrected to see the front sight clearly and the left eye for distance to see the target clearly. They work very well and only take a few minutes to get adjusted to them.In fact if I wanted to I could wear them full time, but I don't.

If you already have good shooting skills than your problem with the iron sights is almost certainly due to eyesight. I know this from personal experience. As we age our ability to clearly see the front sight decreases. The proper glasses can completely change this situation. You will need a doctor who understands what shooters need and you have to stress that you want to see clearly at the distance your eye is from the front sight.

Bill

 

[MattJames]

^^ I agree with the above. I took a 6" pistol and measured muzzle to eye and had my eye doctor place the exam card that distance (about 3') and had shooting glasses made with that prescription on the bi-focal. It helped a lot!

 

[randy_68]

A 44 mag revolver is NOT a good first revolver to learn on or practice with. I think you are much better off buying a 38 or 357 with a 4 to 6 inch barrel and practice with 38s.

Once you are comfortable with that, move up to the 44.

I have and have had several pistols. A 686, Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter which i sold to fund this 629, a couple 9mm' s, 1911 .45 etc and have been shooting for 40 years however i only started getting serious about deer hunting with a pistol in the last few years. I just shoot better with an optic of some sort.

 

[scooter123]

If it's a shooter and a keeper have it drilled and tapped to the current mounting pattern. Note, this can be done without any issue of the front hole intruding on the sight mounting hole on the older revolvers but I would recommend shifting the pattern 1/32 inch to the rear of the revolver because with some calibers tapping the forward hole can have the tap cutting into the rear of the barrel slightly.

Note, the attached is the current mounting pattern.