Has anyone installed the XS Big Dot front sight on a non pinned j frame? I am curious if there was any chance on drilling and pinning it than gluing it in. I wrote to XS and have not heard from them yet. Thank you and Happy and Safe Holidays!
XS Big Dot on a j frame 442
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Doug M.
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I've seen descriptions of doing so, but don't recall where. Might even have been here. XS is usually pretty responsive, but they are either closed for the week or getting ready for SHOT.
I have the big dot on my xds and standard dot on my 340pd revolver. IMO the standard is better on the smaller guns. They look better and holster better for me. If you google it I am sure you will get a YouTube or at least instructions.
Then again, maybe not. Your 340PD has a pin that secures the sight blade, making changes relatively easy. The "non pinned" sights are part of the barrel, making the process more of a challenge, if it is even possible.
I have been thinking og having the same thing done to my 442 Moon Clip. I dont see why it would not work. Im going to check with Magnaport or the PC after the Christmas season is over. I have the standard dot on all my Ruger LCR's and prefer it to the big dot. The standard dot is still quite large and realy stands out.
Here's hoping you are successful in finding someone who can convert your "integral" blade sight to something replaceable with a Big Dot.
Please let us know how it works out.
This is the way I heard it was done.
I have a pinned Big Dot on a 342PD. I float the entire dot on the top of the frame. It's every bit as accurate as the invisible sights on my 442.
Just to be clear... XS sights already makes a front sight for J frames that have the fixed front sight. It requires the front sight be filed or milled to a nub. The new sight then epoxys over the nub. All that is required to pin the sight is to drill a hole through the sight and nub, then roll pin the sight in place. This is how front sights are pinned on Ruger LCR's
Hey, RPD20! Thanks for the details. I believe I just located the appropriate sights on their website.
"Fits models with Fixed Rear Sight Only. Installation requires milling off majority of existing front sight."
S&W "J" FRAME Integral Front - Big Dot Tritium Front Sight Only Item: SW-0020N-3 Ample Stock Manufacturer: XS Sight Systems, Inc. $60.00 1&7/8" barrel
S&W "J" FRAME Integral Front - Standard Dot Tritium Front Sight Only Item: SW-0020N-4 Ample Stock Manufacturer: XS Sight Systems, Inc. $60.00 1&7/8" barrel
Here is the link: XS Sight Systems, Inc. - Products - J-Frames Fixed Front Sight
If I get brave enough, $60 seems like a reasonable price.
Nice looking 442, sir. Thank you for sharing such a good picture.Terry Tussy installed an XS sight on my now-retired 442.
Worked very well.
It appears that Mr. Tussy cut a dovetail, rather than rely on the "glue on" version I stumbled upon on the XS Sight Systems website.
Looking at prices on the Tussy Custom website, that appears to be more than $300 worth of goodness. I'll bet it is worth every penny.
Sadly, I will have to put that on the "when I win a lottery" list.
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quickdraw03
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For what it's worth, I really like the Big Dot in my 342.
It's easy to pick up!
It's easy to pick up!
Glad people like the picture. I don't remember the work to install the sight costing that much, but it was almost 20 years ago. The nice thing about the night sight Big Dot is the tritium lens works as a great index for the rear frame groove (rear sight) when more precision is desired.
