I bought a nice older model 63 Stainless steel kit gun with the 6 shot 4" barrel. It has the reddish orange resin insert in the front blade.Im not sure I like that color contrast as its a bit light in color to line up the top edge with the rear sight blades top edge.But more importantly when I measured the thickness of the front blade it came out to .128" thick and the rear sight notch is .125" .So there really is no light on either side of the front blade when viewing thru the rear sight.Why did S&W do this ? Now I have to send this out for more money to get it corrected and its not cheap .Shipping alone is $70 to most Smiths for next day air which is a requirement.
Why did S&W set up the kitgun with these sights
- Thread starter cvarcher
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I have a 63 no dash and don't find these sights much of a problem. Yes, the front sight is wider than the notch, but don't forget it is almost six inches further away from your eye than the rear sight is. I can see light on both sides of my front sight when aiming at arms length. I will agree, though, that it is a little "crowded."
As for the red ramp, I think they are terrible for target shooting when shooting indoors or when shooting ourdoors with covered shooting points. They excel when shooting in the field (as in hunting/plinking) or shooting at targets outdoors when you shooting points are uncovered. As my 63 is used as a field gun, I really like the red ramp. If you don't care for it, you can paint it or replace the red material with something black.
Congratulations on the purchase of a great revolver!!
As for the red ramp, I think they are terrible for target shooting when shooting indoors or when shooting ourdoors with covered shooting points. They excel when shooting in the field (as in hunting/plinking) or shooting at targets outdoors when you shooting points are uncovered. As my 63 is used as a field gun, I really like the red ramp. If you don't care for it, you can paint it or replace the red material with something black.
Congratulations on the purchase of a great revolver!!
MichiganScott
Member
Red inserts were all the rage at one time and that is what shooters demanded. I find they wash out in bright sun and they are too dark in the shade. I now paint mine green.
The theory behind the wide front sight is that centering the front sight in the rear notch is more precise with just a tiny bit of light on each side. In reality, I find it's much easier to center the front sight in the rear with a sliver of light that is about 1/3 the width of the front on each side.
As I've gotten older, I find that I have problems getting a proper sight picture regardless of the color or width of the front sight. I guess that's why they now make dots, although it probably would look funny on a Model 63 and flat out destroy its handiness.
The theory behind the wide front sight is that centering the front sight in the rear notch is more precise with just a tiny bit of light on each side. In reality, I find it's much easier to center the front sight in the rear with a sliver of light that is about 1/3 the width of the front on each side.
As I've gotten older, I find that I have problems getting a proper sight picture regardless of the color or width of the front sight. I guess that's why they now make dots, although it probably would look funny on a Model 63 and flat out destroy its handiness.
If you wanted a bullseye type sight picture, then the Model 17 is the gun for you. I use the Model 17 for rimfire silhouette. It is not exactly a pocket gun.
The Model 63 sights are not defective, and they don't need to be "corrected". I prefer them for walking around in the field and they are capable of both quick shooting and fine accuracy. If you PREFER a different sight, well, that's just personal preference, which we all have.
I won a bet with one naysayer by putting 6 shots in the 10 ring of a standard bullseye timed fire target using a Model 63 and Federal Pistol Match .22 LR.
The Model 63 sights are not defective, and they don't need to be "corrected". I prefer them for walking around in the field and they are capable of both quick shooting and fine accuracy. If you PREFER a different sight, well, that's just personal preference, which we all have.
I won a bet with one naysayer by putting 6 shots in the 10 ring of a standard bullseye timed fire target using a Model 63 and Federal Pistol Match .22 LR.
flagman1776
Member
I have no problem with the sights on my kit gun. Handgun sights are more individual as eyesight & arm length can affect it. It is a simple matter to have a REar blade with a wider opening installed... required a kit which includes the rear cross screw & nut which must be broken to get apart. Many of us would simply take a swipe through the sight slot with a jeweler's needle file to widen it a few thousandths. As for the color, if you don't care for it, I follow the recommendations of the famous pistolero Col Jeff Cooper... and use model paint. It's easily to remove with solvent if you change your mind.
Simple fix is to widen the rear sight blade with a file to your liking.
Use the gun for awhile, you'll find it is fine the way it is.
I am going to continue shooting it both at the indoor range(louzy incadescent lighting) to see how tightly I can group the gun and this weekend during our muzleloader hunt (if any pesky squirrels bother me) I will check the sights in the woods as well.But my eyes arent lying , its damn hard to see any light on either side of the blade and the red color washes out where its hard to see the straight line edge of the red even with the rear blades top edge. Talked with Mr. Jim Stroh of Alpha Prec. and his price was pretty reasonable.The shipping is costly though .
riverrat38
US Veteran
How much light can be seen on the sides of the front sight blade depends on how far the revolver is held in frond of the shooter. The further away, the less light seen.
If the front blade is pinned like the newer M60's, it should be easy to change out. I don't like the plastic inserts of any color. Even painted black with a marker pen, there are confusing reflections in some lighting conditions. I like the front night sight on the M60 Pro, and would look to install one on any pinned combat style S&W revolver. On target versions, I prefer a Patridge sight.
Best,
Rick
If the front blade is pinned like the newer M60's, it should be easy to change out. I don't like the plastic inserts of any color. Even painted black with a marker pen, there are confusing reflections in some lighting conditions. I like the front night sight on the M60 Pro, and would look to install one on any pinned combat style S&W revolver. On target versions, I prefer a Patridge sight.
Best,
Rick
Painting the front sight doesn't work for outside shooting, I tried that. The sun will still reflect off the painted surface. I replaced the front blade with a ramped blade with the horizontal serrations. For target shooting, a Patridge sight is even better.
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