March 16, 2019, 07:12 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Kansas City, Missouri (love the BBQ)
Posts: 18
|
S&W 617 Front Sight
Getting ready to replace the factory front sight on my 617 with a fiber optic.....I've read up on the process, any additional tips from those that have performed this task?
Thanks, joe |
March 16, 2019, 08:40 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 7, 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,736
|
Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, a fiber optic sight can work against you. For precision shooting a flat black blade front sight is by far (and I mean BY FAR) better for accurate shooting. For closer up targets and less refinement in your expectations, a fiber optic will work fine.
|
March 16, 2019, 12:24 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,566
|
F/O is OK for action shooting but I can't get a real sight picture with them. I guess it depends on what you plan to use the gun for. Plain black works better for bulls eyes and bunnies. I actually like a gold bead better than F/O for IDPA style shooting.
|
March 16, 2019, 04:55 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 31, 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 2,614
|
Gotta agree with the others - I've installed FO sights on all my runNgun match revolvers, but kept the stock front target sight on my 617 for the reasons explained. If you really want the best of both, the Mac Daddy setup would be a Weigand interchangeable front sight base.
|
March 16, 2019, 05:00 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Kansas City, Missouri (love the BBQ)
Posts: 18
|
Appreciate the responses. This revolver will walk with me in the woods more times than not....will also see a trip to the range and a squirrel hunt or two. I agree the black blade would be most precise, however, my eyes just can't find that darn thing unless the light is just right.
|
March 16, 2019, 05:24 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 31, 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 2,614
|
There are fibers that are somewhat protected (e.g. HiViz) and some that are not (e.g. EGW, SDM). The EGW types, IME, are less durable, in that the fiber can break if you hit the muzzle on something. OTOH, extra fiber is available, so it's a 2-minute repair (if you happen to have extra fiber optic, nail clippers and a cigarette lighter on hand).
The HiViz types are (again, IME) more durable, but if you do manage to break it, you need to replace the whole sight. IIRC, the HiViz types seem a tad brighter, too. Be sure to read up on what width and height you need. The SDM website has some decent info. HiViz-type: EGW-type: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...Z_rdRh_me2I7RO SDM-type: |
March 17, 2019, 09:28 AM | #7 | |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 21,840
|
From looks aline, I would prefer the EGW.
I looked at the Weigand MrBorland suggested. Then I read this. Quote:
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
|
March 18, 2019, 08:11 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 31, 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 2,614
|
After revisiting the Weigand site, I see they list the sight bases as "discontinued". The Bowen sight base looks to be another option. It, too, requires some milling, but it looks to my eye like the back of the exposed base sits proud of the milled channel.
http://parts.bowenclassicarms.com/in...products_id=58 |
March 18, 2019, 08:29 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 7, 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,736
|
Put a red dot on it like the Burris FF3 or the Vortex Venom and get a much better end result. You can do that without having to machine anything and simply put the gun back into original configuration at any time you choose. They're small, you can shoot very accurately with them, and work well out to very long distances without having to use any magnification. I personally think fiber optics are a step in the wrong direction.
|
March 18, 2019, 09:34 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Kansas City, Missouri (love the BBQ)
Posts: 18
|
Installed the HiViz version this evening. Some minor fitting, and this project was wrapped up. All in all, I like the green fiber dot, I can pick it up much better than the black blade. I also noticed the black housed that holds the fiber still creates a sharp black square top....if I really focus on the front sight as you're supposed to, I can pick it up in good light......I wouldn't go so far as to say it's the "best of both worlds", but I like it.
On a side note, I installed a similar green dot on my GP-100 a few years ago......Ruger's plunger system to install the front sight seems a million times better than a tiny roll pin....but that's just me. |
March 19, 2019, 11:42 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 31, 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 2,614
|
Quote:
At any rate, an interchangeable front sight is a very nice set-up, which is why I suggested the Weigand or Bowen base. |
|
April 2, 2019, 08:41 AM | #12 |
Junior member
Join Date: December 31, 2014
Location: Northwest Wisconsin
Posts: 285
|
Black on black sights against a black bullseye, are no shooters friend, especially as eye-balls age.
Many indoor ranges are dimly lit with little ambient light to benefit the fiber optic type. Outside, the do work better. I, along with many other handgun owners I know, have much better luck with inserts such as these: |
April 2, 2019, 04:34 PM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 7, 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,736
|
Quote:
|
|
April 3, 2019, 12:09 PM | #14 |
Junior member
Join Date: December 31, 2014
Location: Northwest Wisconsin
Posts: 285
|
I've discussed it thoroughly with my customers and some exceptional bullseye practitioners, real ones. And they agree with me. As folks who shoot, age, they prefer a brighter front sight. Good shooters, that is.
Maybe you should discuss that with some shooters who are still alive. |
April 3, 2019, 01:14 PM | #15 |
Junior member
Join Date: December 31, 2014
Location: Northwest Wisconsin
Posts: 285
|
I've discussed it thoroughly with my customers and some exceptional bullseye practitioners, real ones. And they agree with me. As folks who shoot age, they prefer a brighter front sight.
Maybe you should discuss that with some shooters who are still alive. |
April 3, 2019, 01:25 PM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 7, 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,736
|
Quote:
|
|
April 4, 2019, 08:53 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,566
|
Precision shooters(Bullseye Pistol) shoot with black sights or red dots.
the sights are aligned on the white of the target, the black sits on top of the front sight. You are not trying to align the black sights on the center of a black target. The beauty of the red dot sight is you don't have to align anything, just put the dot on the target. I hate a hand gun that shoots low, you can't aim at a small target if the sight hides the target(squirrel's head for instance). Sit his little tiny head on top of the nice clear black front sight. |
April 11, 2019, 12:41 PM | #18 |
Junior member
Join Date: December 31, 2014
Location: Northwest Wisconsin
Posts: 285
|
Time to step into the MODERN world of shooting. Red dots are GREAT these days, and colored inserts, even greater for older aging eyes like yours. You need to try using better sights. You might even be able to compete once again.
|
|
|