Red Dot Sight on a K-38?

Evil Dog · July 28, 2007, 01:23 PM

Have been toying with the idea of mounting one of those Red Dot sights on my favorite K-38. Going from eBay prices it shouldn't be all that expensive of a modification. Just wondering if it would be worth the trouble. As it it, I can usually put a bullet somewhere near where I am looking with standard iron sights. The Red Dot version might make it a little easier although it would definitely call for a new holster.

Changed from my old Eagle "Secret Service" grips to a set of Kim Ahrends Tactical grips... seem to be quite a bit more comfortable. Haven't had a chance to shoot with them yet... hopefully Sunday at a local event.

steveno · July 28, 2007, 01:34 PM

as long as it didn't require any machining do what you want but if it requires machining it will degrade the value of one of the best shooting revolvers of all time

Evil Dog · July 28, 2007, 05:13 PM

As near as I can figure, the only modification would be removing the rear sight then drilling and tapping an additional hole to fit a Weaver rail mount. The red dot sight would then clamp to the mount. No milling or anything more permanent than one additional hole.

steveno · July 28, 2007, 06:39 PM

personally I wouldn't even drill the extra hole. check a B-Square or Brownells catalog before you decide to drill. I have a K-38 made in 1960 and it will not have any extra holes drilled in for any reason

Ignatz · July 28, 2007, 08:15 PM

A local shooter used a model 10 4" HB and mounted a "Ultra-dot" red dot on it for Bullseye matches. It was a nice rig and the 4"heavy barrel gave it a nice balance. Something to think about in case you want to keep your model 14 open sights and hack up a beater model 10. The Red Dot would put me in the Open revolver division with all the top dogs shooting full tilt race guns. I'm shooting Irons tomorrow so its a more even playing field if I were to use a model 14.

johnbt · July 29, 2007, 09:33 PM

I think you'll like it. This a S&W 647 (.17 HMR) with an UltraDot Match Dot on a Weigand base.

July 28, 2007, 01:23 PM	#1
Evil Dog Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: So Cal Desert Posts: 88	Red Dot Sight on a K-38? Have been toying with the idea of mounting one of those Red Dot sights on my favorite K-38. Going from eBay prices it shouldn't be all that expensive of a modification. Just wondering if it would be worth the trouble. As it it, I can usually put a bullet somewhere near where I am looking with standard iron sights. The Red Dot version might make it a little easier although it would definitely call for a new holster. Changed from my old Eagle "Secret Service" grips to a set of Kim Ahrends Tactical grips... seem to be quite a bit more comfortable. Haven't had a chance to shoot with them yet... hopefully Sunday at a local event. __________________ Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting that vote. - Benjamin Franklin (1759)

July 28, 2007, 05:13 PM	#3
Evil Dog Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: So Cal Desert Posts: 88	As near as I can figure, the only modification would be removing the rear sight then drilling and tapping an additional hole to fit a Weaver rail mount. The red dot sight would then clamp to the mount. No milling or anything more permanent than one additional hole. __________________ Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting that vote. - Benjamin Franklin (1759)

July 28, 2007, 01:34 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	as long as it didn't require any machining do what you want but if it requires machining it will degrade the value of one of the best shooting revolvers of all time

July 28, 2007, 06:39 PM	#4
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	personally I wouldn't even drill the extra hole. check a B-Square or Brownells catalog before you decide to drill. I have a K-38 made in 1960 and it will not have any extra holes drilled in for any reason

July 28, 2007, 08:15 PM	#5
Ignatz Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Posts: 72	A local shooter used a model 10 4" HB and mounted a "Ultra-dot" red dot on it for Bullseye matches. It was a nice rig and the 4"heavy barrel gave it a nice balance. Something to think about in case you want to keep your model 14 open sights and hack up a beater model 10. The Red Dot would put me in the Open revolver division with all the top dogs shooting full tilt race guns. I'm shooting Irons tomorrow so its a more even playing field if I were to use a model 14.

July 29, 2007, 09:33 PM	#6
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I think you'll like it. This a S&W 647 (.17 HMR) with an UltraDot Match Dot on a Weigand base.