Help in choosing a Fiber Optic or Tritium Sight on S&W 686+ Pro Series

Rick F · December 20, 2012, 03:44 PM

Hello ppl,

My fiance has a 686+ Pro Series 5" Slabsided S&W that she wants night sights for. All of our other handguns have dots, and we shoot in a poorly lit range against black Shoot-N-C targets. Does anyone know for a fact what will fit, and are there any recomendations? I contacted MidwayUSA, and they would not commit, and Trijicon, Meprolight, and Hi-Viz either would not commit, or did not answer. I'm guessing it's because it's not the standard model. Please note it has plain black sights, not the red ramp.

Thanks,
Rick

AKsRul.e · December 20, 2012, 05:57 PM

I don't see any model exactly like what you describe on the S&W website.

Is it an older model?

Call S&W , tell them the model and serial #info stamped on the frame.

They can tell you if the front sight used on your gun equals that used on a more common model.

Viper225 · December 20, 2012, 06:12 PM

Your 686Plus Pro Series 5" has a Classix DX Interchangable Front Sight from what I can tell.

The only Tritium sight I was able to find was an XS Big Dot
Midway parts # 282-892

http://midwayusa.com/

Check that one out.

Fiber Optic DX sights are not a problem to find, again Midway Source.

Hi-Viz
149656 Green .250
312669 Green .310

SDM
874812 Green .250
639359 Green .300

Bob

Rick F · December 21, 2012, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the info! Here is the model:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

Rick F · December 21, 2012, 12:09 PM

How do I measure the size? Is it from the mounting base to the top of the sight? I don't know how I feel about the XS sight rear . . .

Rick F · February 25, 2013, 06:50 PM

Just in case someone does a search for this particular revolver, I ended up with an SDM fiber optic sight. It is indeed the interchangeable front sight, and the .250" height is correct.

Japle · February 25, 2013, 07:24 PM

EasyHit makes a fluorocent fiberoptic front sight for S&W revolvers that I just love. I have them on several S&Ws and they're the best, most visible front sight I've ever seen.
Here's my 686SSR.

The problem with the sight is, EasyHit doesn't show it on their website. You have to call and they don't always have them in stock. Last time, I bought 5, just so I'd have spares.

Rick F · February 25, 2013, 07:39 PM

Hi Japle. That looks bery interesting, but I prefer the small dot for assisting with accuracy. I would put money on yours having the faster target acqusition though.

Japle · February 26, 2013, 08:05 AM

Rick,

Yeah, it's very fast to pick up, excellent for hunting in thick brush or for Steel Challenge.

I have one on my 327PC and people at matches say things like, "Your gun's on fire"!

It seems to work, though.

Jim Watson · February 26, 2013, 10:19 AM

Get the fibre optic.
I have not seen a range dimly lit enough for tritium night sights to show up.
Except, of course, when we turn the lights out so you need them and/or a good flashlight.

Rick F · February 26, 2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Get the fibre optic.
I have not seen a range dimly lit enough for tritium night sights to show up.
Except, of course, when we turn the lights out so you need them and/or a good flashlight.

Yeah, I got the FO in the pic above. You are right about the tritium at the range. I really just like the contrast dot as opposed to all black sights.

And Japle- that is a great looking revolver.

newcastle3 · March 27, 2013, 01:42 PM

Rick F, you said you got the .250 SDM. What was the exact part #? Was it C250R or P250R?

BTW I have the exact same gun.

Thanks

WIN1886 · March 27, 2013, 04:42 PM

A nice feature on your 686 Pro is the front interchangeable sight....I switched my stock front sight on my 627 Pro to a Hi Viz green fiber optic one and really like it so far ! I'll probably try some of the other suggestions posted on this thread as well ( why not ) ! I do have a tritium sight on another handgun and as already mentioned is really at its best in the dark of night !

newcastle3 · March 28, 2013, 01:38 PM

My question is what is the correct type of sight for this gun? When you look for sights for S&W revolvers 2 types are shown. Does anyone have a picture of the correct type of sight before it is installed so I can see the shape of the base?

Thanks

WIN1886 · March 28, 2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

When you look for sights for S&W revolvers 2 types are shown.

The half moon shaped extension under the sight base version is designed for pinned sights ! The more triangular shaped extension under the sight base is designed for the interchangeable version . As you might already know , you can see samples of this on the S&W website under sight accessories ! No pictures at the moment but I hope this helps...the more triangular shaped version that fits in the slot is designed to be pushed back and slipped in flush then it locks when released forward under spring tension !

newcastle3 · March 28, 2013, 04:06 PM

So even though the front sight has a pin we are supposed to use the interchangeable (triangular) one? I could see how that pin would cover the front area of that shape to hold it in. You can see the pin I am mentioning in the pictures above. That is how my sight area looks.

Sorry for asking multiple time I just want to be clear. I wish I had a punch at home small enough or I would remove my existing sight to see what shape it is.

WIN1886 · March 28, 2013, 04:18 PM

Yes , revolvers with the interchangeable front sight base have a pin but its function is not to directly retain it by going through the sight blade's under extension ! ! You should also see a hole in the very front of your sight base on the barrel !

newcastle3 · March 28, 2013, 04:20 PM

Yes I can see the front of the sight and the pin that runs in front of it. So how do I remove the sight? Just push it backwards and lift the front edge over the pin?

WIN1886 · March 28, 2013, 04:27 PM

Yes , push it back firmly and lift up the front....mine was a bit of a pain at first ( there isn't much slop in it for wiggle room ) !

newcastle3 · March 28, 2013, 04:29 PM

Thanks for the help, it sucks when something is so simple but not intuitive. It seems there should be directions somewhere about all this.

Thanks again.

WIN1886 · March 28, 2013, 04:47 PM

No problem , by the way the new sight like my HI Viz one can go in a bit tightly as well...I just very lightly polished the triangular edges with 1000 grit sandpaper or crocus cloth and that helped !

December 20, 2012, 03:44 PM	#1
Rick F Member Join Date: October 2, 2012 Posts: 71	Help in choosing a Fiber Optic or Tritium Sight on S&W 686+ Pro Series Hello ppl, My fiance has a 686+ Pro Series 5" Slabsided S&W that she wants night sights for. All of our other handguns have dots, and we shoot in a poorly lit range against black Shoot-N-C targets. Does anyone know for a fact what will fit, and are there any recomendations? I contacted MidwayUSA, and they would not commit, and Trijicon, Meprolight, and Hi-Viz either would not commit, or did not answer. I'm guessing it's because it's not the standard model. Please note it has plain black sights, not the red ramp. Thanks, Rick __________________ Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 /// H&K P30L 9mm /// Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 /// S&W 686+ 5" Pro /// Walther PPS 9mm /// SA MC Operator .45 /// LMT MRP w/ACOG TA11HG /// Ruger Scout w/Nikon /// Benelli Nova Tactical 12g /// EVO X & S2000

December 20, 2012, 06:12 PM	#3
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	Your 686Plus Pro Series 5" has a Classix DX Interchangable Front Sight from what I can tell. The only Tritium sight I was able to find was an XS Big Dot Midway parts # 282-892 http://midwayusa.com/ Check that one out. Fiber Optic DX sights are not a problem to find, again Midway Source. Hi-Viz 149656 Green .250 312669 Green .310 SDM 874812 Green .250 639359 Green .300 Bob Last edited by Viper225; December 20, 2012 at 06:52 PM.

December 21, 2012, 12:06 PM	#4
Rick F Member Join Date: October 2, 2012 Posts: 71	Thanks for the info! Here is the model: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y __________________ Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 /// H&K P30L 9mm /// Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 /// S&W 686+ 5" Pro /// Walther PPS 9mm /// SA MC Operator .45 /// LMT MRP w/ACOG TA11HG /// Ruger Scout w/Nikon /// Benelli Nova Tactical 12g /// EVO X & S2000

December 21, 2012, 12:09 PM	#5
Rick F Member Join Date: October 2, 2012 Posts: 71	How do I measure the size? Is it from the mounting base to the top of the sight? I don't know how I feel about the XS sight rear . . . __________________ Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 /// H&K P30L 9mm /// Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 /// S&W 686+ 5" Pro /// Walther PPS 9mm /// SA MC Operator .45 /// LMT MRP w/ACOG TA11HG /// Ruger Scout w/Nikon /// Benelli Nova Tactical 12g /// EVO X & S2000

February 25, 2013, 06:50 PM	#6
Rick F Member Join Date: October 2, 2012 Posts: 71	Just in case someone does a search for this particular revolver, I ended up with an SDM fiber optic sight. It is indeed the interchangeable front sight, and the .250" height is correct. __________________ Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 /// H&K P30L 9mm /// Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 /// S&W 686+ 5" Pro /// Walther PPS 9mm /// SA MC Operator .45 /// LMT MRP w/ACOG TA11HG /// Ruger Scout w/Nikon /// Benelli Nova Tactical 12g /// EVO X & S2000

December 20, 2012, 05:57 PM	#2
AKsRul.e Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 234	I don't see any model exactly like what you describe on the S&W website. Is it an older model? Call S&W , tell them the model and serial #info stamped on the frame. They can tell you if the front sight used on your gun equals that used on a more common model.

February 25, 2013, 07:24 PM	#7
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	EasyHit makes a fluorocent fiberoptic front sight for S&W revolvers that I just love. I have them on several S&Ws and they're the best, most visible front sight I've ever seen. Here's my 686SSR. The problem with the sight is, EasyHit doesn't show it on their website. You have to call and they don't always have them in stock. Last time, I bought 5, just so I'd have spares.

February 25, 2013, 07:39 PM	#8
Rick F Member Join Date: October 2, 2012 Posts: 71	Hi Japle. That looks bery interesting, but I prefer the small dot for assisting with accuracy. I would put money on yours having the faster target acqusition though. __________________ Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 /// H&K P30L 9mm /// Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 /// S&W 686+ 5" Pro /// Walther PPS 9mm /// SA MC Operator .45 /// LMT MRP w/ACOG TA11HG /// Ruger Scout w/Nikon /// Benelli Nova Tactical 12g /// EVO X & S2000

February 26, 2013, 08:05 AM	#9
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	Rick, Yeah, it's very fast to pick up, excellent for hunting in thick brush or for Steel Challenge. I have one on my 327PC and people at matches say things like, "Your gun's on fire"! It seems to work, though.

February 26, 2013, 10:19 AM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,538	Get the fibre optic. I have not seen a range dimly lit enough for tritium night sights to show up. Except, of course, when we turn the lights out so you need them and/or a good flashlight.

March 27, 2013, 01:42 PM	#12
newcastle3 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 5	Rick F, you said you got the .250 SDM. What was the exact part #? Was it C250R or P250R? BTW I have the exact same gun. Thanks

March 27, 2013, 04:42 PM	#13
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	A nice feature on your 686 Pro is the front interchangeable sight....I switched my stock front sight on my 627 Pro to a Hi Viz green fiber optic one and really like it so far ! I'll probably try some of the other suggestions posted on this thread as well ( why not ) ! I do have a tritium sight on another handgun and as already mentioned is really at its best in the dark of night ! Last edited by WIN1886; March 27, 2013 at 09:49 PM.

March 28, 2013, 01:38 PM	#14
newcastle3 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 5	My question is what is the correct type of sight for this gun? When you look for sights for S&W revolvers 2 types are shown. Does anyone have a picture of the correct type of sight before it is installed so I can see the shape of the base? Thanks

March 28, 2013, 04:06 PM	#16
newcastle3 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 5	So even though the front sight has a pin we are supposed to use the interchangeable (triangular) one? I could see how that pin would cover the front area of that shape to hold it in. You can see the pin I am mentioning in the pictures above. That is how my sight area looks. Sorry for asking multiple time I just want to be clear. I wish I had a punch at home small enough or I would remove my existing sight to see what shape it is.

March 28, 2013, 04:18 PM	#17
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	Yes , revolvers with the interchangeable front sight base have a pin but its function is not to directly retain it by going through the sight blade's under extension ! ! You should also see a hole in the very front of your sight base on the barrel ! Last edited by WIN1886; March 29, 2013 at 05:15 AM.

March 28, 2013, 04:20 PM	#18
newcastle3 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 5	Yes I can see the front of the sight and the pin that runs in front of it. So how do I remove the sight? Just push it backwards and lift the front edge over the pin?

March 28, 2013, 04:27 PM	#19
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	Yes , push it back firmly and lift up the front....mine was a bit of a pain at first ( there isn't much slop in it for wiggle room ) !

March 28, 2013, 04:29 PM	#20
newcastle3 Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2013 Posts: 5	Thanks for the help, it sucks when something is so simple but not intuitive. It seems there should be directions somewhere about all this. Thanks again.

March 28, 2013, 04:47 PM	#21
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	No problem , by the way the new sight like my HI Viz one can go in a bit tightly as well...I just very lightly polished the triangular edges with 1000 grit sandpaper or crocus cloth and that helped !