Patridge Front Sight for S&W Model 29?

Taroman · January 20, 2010, 08:34 PM

My S&W 29-2 has the "red ramp" front sight. I much prefer the patridge blade as issued on my K17 .22.

Is there any way this can be changed?

Apparently S&W no longer does this type of service.

thanks.

tipoc · January 21, 2010, 02:48 AM

Yes a Patridge front sight can be fitted. The S&W Performance Center can do this for you. So can a large number of competent pistolsmiths.

tipoc

Winchester_73 · January 21, 2010, 10:07 AM

Since a 29-2 is pinned and recessed, I advise you not to have this alteration performed. The older S&Ws are becoming more and more collectible and this alteration would lower the collector appeal. Also, if your 29-2 is a shooter, the newer 629s are better for that purpose anyways. Just a thought.

laytonj1 · January 21, 2010, 04:02 PM

If the front blade is pinned to the base then it's a simply matter of drifting the pin out, putting a new blade in, drilling a new hole thru the blade and reinstalling the pin.
If it's a one piece, barrel and sight forged as a single unit, then your only option is to have the front sight milled off, a grove milled into the base and then a new blade installed, drilled and pinned.
Since S&W used both types during the years look to see if there is a pin in yours.

Jim

mete · January 21, 2010, 04:26 PM

The problem with all those plastic glow sights is that they are different whether in the sun or shade. When we were seriously doing metallic silhouette matches we demonstrated that clearly !! I took the red insert out of the sight and replaced it with a blued steel insert I made. The difference ? In the sunlight I was 2 clicks off compared to the black at 50 yds !! In the sun the red glows so much that you automatically lower the barrel so you can see the target !! Others found the same problem . My Benelli shotgun came with red front sight and after the first squirrel hunt I replaced it with a stainless steel sight !

Taroman · January 21, 2010, 05:38 PM

Exactly, it is a siluouette gun. I had blackened and painted that many times ramp over the years. The red thing had also fallen out a couple of times over the years. Screw the collectors. Guns are made to shoot.

Just looked. I'm lucky. it's pinned.

drail · January 21, 2010, 05:44 PM

As much as I love a sharp square black Patridge sight blade it will eat a leather holster like a fish scaler every time you pull the gun. But for a range gun you just lay on the bench and shoot, oh yeah! ("screw the collectors! " I like the way you think man.)

Slamfire · January 21, 2010, 05:53 PM

A previous owner modified the original sight and put in a red ramp. I sent this 44 Spl off to S&W and had them install the partridge.

I much prefer partridge sights on my handguns.

One reason I like this 44 Mag. The front sights are easy to change.

tipoc · January 21, 2010, 07:00 PM

As I said there are a wide variety of front and rear sight systems available, including interchangeable front sights for diffferent conditions and types of shooting. Google, a look over to MidwayUSA or Brownell's will give you many options.

S&W can do the work for you or many smiths. Not a hard job but it should be done right.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/revserv.htm

The purpose of the Baughman front sight with the red ramp was to facilitate a quick draw and seeing the front sight in low light conditions. They were not intended to be target or hunting sights. The Patridge style works well for the latter.

With a proper holster made for them the Patridge will not "eat a leather holster like a fish scaler" .

tipoc

January 20, 2010, 08:34 PM	#1
Taroman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2010 Posts: 166	Patridge Front Sight for S&W Model 29? My S&W 29-2 has the "red ramp" front sight. I much prefer the patridge blade as issued on my K17 .22. Is there any way this can be changed? Apparently S&W no longer does this type of service. thanks. __________________ -jwk- Si vis pacem, para bellum

January 21, 2010, 10:07 AM	#3
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	Since a 29-2 is pinned and recessed, I advise you not to have this alteration performed. The older S&Ws are becoming more and more collectible and this alteration would lower the collector appeal. Also, if your 29-2 is a shooter, the newer 629s are better for that purpose anyways. Just a thought. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

January 21, 2010, 05:38 PM	#6
Taroman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2010 Posts: 166	Exactly, it is a siluouette gun. I had blackened and painted that many times ramp over the years. The red thing had also fallen out a couple of times over the years. Screw the collectors. Guns are made to shoot. Just looked. I'm lucky. it's pinned. __________________ -jwk- Si vis pacem, para bellum

January 21, 2010, 02:48 AM	#2
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	Yes a Patridge front sight can be fitted. The S&W Performance Center can do this for you. So can a large number of competent pistolsmiths. tipoc

January 21, 2010, 04:02 PM	#4
laytonj1 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Posts: 4,443	If the front blade is pinned to the base then it's a simply matter of drifting the pin out, putting a new blade in, drilling a new hole thru the blade and reinstalling the pin. If it's a one piece, barrel and sight forged as a single unit, then your only option is to have the front sight milled off, a grove milled into the base and then a new blade installed, drilled and pinned. Since S&W used both types during the years look to see if there is a pin in yours. Jim

January 21, 2010, 04:26 PM	#5
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	The problem with all those plastic glow sights is that they are different whether in the sun or shade. When we were seriously doing metallic silhouette matches we demonstrated that clearly !! I took the red insert out of the sight and replaced it with a blued steel insert I made. The difference ? In the sunlight I was 2 clicks off compared to the black at 50 yds !! In the sun the red glows so much that you automatically lower the barrel so you can see the target !! Others found the same problem . My Benelli shotgun came with red front sight and after the first squirrel hunt I replaced it with a stainless steel sight !

January 21, 2010, 05:44 PM	#7
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	As much as I love a sharp square black Patridge sight blade it will eat a leather holster like a fish scaler every time you pull the gun. But for a range gun you just lay on the bench and shoot, oh yeah! ("screw the collectors! " I like the way you think man.)

January 21, 2010, 05:53 PM	#8
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	A previous owner modified the original sight and put in a red ramp. I sent this 44 Spl off to S&W and had them install the partridge. I much prefer partridge sights on my handguns. One reason I like this 44 Mag. The front sights are easy to change.

January 21, 2010, 07:00 PM	#9
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	As I said there are a wide variety of front and rear sight systems available, including interchangeable front sights for diffferent conditions and types of shooting. Google, a look over to MidwayUSA or Brownell's will give you many options. S&W can do the work for you or many smiths. Not a hard job but it should be done right. http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/revserv.htm The purpose of the Baughman front sight with the red ramp was to facilitate a quick draw and seeing the front sight in low light conditions. They were not intended to be target or hunting sights. The Patridge style works well for the latter. With a proper holster made for them the Patridge will not "eat a leather holster like a fish scaler" . tipoc