For S&W 19-4, which size rear sight do I need if I want to change to white outline???

valleyforge.1777 · April 21, 2013, 08:56 PM

I have a S&W Model 19-4 4 inch barrel that I never shoot. The rear sight is all black, and the front sight is all black, and, well, the dang targets are all black (at least in the center)... I just can't see these sights well enough to shoot the gun.

I'd like to get a white-outline rear sight for this nice Model 19-4.
The rear sight I have on there now has a .106 inch deep rear sight notch. I have seen on the S&W website, and MidwayUSA's website that they sell .146 inch white outline rear sights. How do I know if I need the .106 or the .146 inch sights? If I can use the .146 sights, I'd prefer that (more space in the notch area will make it easier for me to see the front sight through the notch, but if the accuracy is going to be messed up by going with .146, I don't want to do it. How can I know which rear sights to get???

thanks

Dfariswheel · April 22, 2013, 07:47 PM

The number listed is not the notch width, it's the sight blade height.
The .146 is the correct blade for a 4 inch revolver.
I don't think S&W makes blades with different width notches.

I think both Midway and Brownell's have short videos showing how to change the S&W sight blade.
This involves BREAKING the windage screw. It's designed to shear in half.
Make sure you have the correct gunsmith's screwdriver bit and the other tools needed.
You can get by with a pair of small tweezers, a ROUNDED OFF center punch and a Brownell's Magna-Tip driver bit number .210-3.

valleyforge.1777 · April 22, 2013, 08:43 PM

Thanks!
You also answered my next question, which is "can I do this myself or do I need a gunsmith?" I am concluding from your answer that I will save myself a lot of aggravation and have a gunsmith do this for me.

thanks

lee n. field · April 22, 2013, 09:21 PM

If you're wanting contrast, you might first try a bit of bright nail polish on the front sight.

oldgunsmith · April 23, 2013, 03:44 PM

Get someone who is familiar with the operation to do it. There's also a nearly microscopic spring and plunger that has to come out of the old screw head and go in the new one. Easy to lose if you don't know when and where to look for it.

jglsprings · April 23, 2013, 05:46 PM

If I can do it, anyone can do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr0yb6VRDIg

April 21, 2013, 08:56 PM	#1
valleyforge.1777 Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 177	For S&W 19-4, which size rear sight do I need if I want to change to white outline??? I have a S&W Model 19-4 4 inch barrel that I never shoot. The rear sight is all black, and the front sight is all black, and, well, the dang targets are all black (at least in the center)... I just can't see these sights well enough to shoot the gun. I'd like to get a white-outline rear sight for this nice Model 19-4. The rear sight I have on there now has a .106 inch deep rear sight notch. I have seen on the S&W website, and MidwayUSA's website that they sell .146 inch white outline rear sights. How do I know if I need the .106 or the .146 inch sights? If I can use the .146 sights, I'd prefer that (more space in the notch area will make it easier for me to see the front sight through the notch, but if the accuracy is going to be messed up by going with .146, I don't want to do it. How can I know which rear sights to get??? thanks

April 22, 2013, 09:21 PM	#4
lee n. field Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: The same state as Mordor. Posts: 5,569	If you're wanting contrast, you might first try a bit of bright nail polish on the front sight. __________________ "As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

April 23, 2013, 05:46 PM	#6
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	If I can do it, anyone can do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr0yb6VRDIg __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

April 22, 2013, 07:47 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The number listed is not the notch width, it's the sight blade height. The .146 is the correct blade for a 4 inch revolver. I don't think S&W makes blades with different width notches. I think both Midway and Brownell's have short videos showing how to change the S&W sight blade. This involves BREAKING the windage screw. It's designed to shear in half. Make sure you have the correct gunsmith's screwdriver bit and the other tools needed. You can get by with a pair of small tweezers, a ROUNDED OFF center punch and a Brownell's Magna-Tip driver bit number .210-3.

April 22, 2013, 08:43 PM	#3
valleyforge.1777 Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 177	Thanks! You also answered my next question, which is "can I do this myself or do I need a gunsmith?" I am concluding from your answer that I will save myself a lot of aggravation and have a gunsmith do this for me. thanks

April 23, 2013, 03:44 PM	#5
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	Get someone who is familiar with the operation to do it. There's also a nearly microscopic spring and plunger that has to come out of the old screw head and go in the new one. Easy to lose if you don't know when and where to look for it.