Installing iron sights on 357 herrett or....?

[Stape]

I traded for a 10in 357 herret a bit back just to try a different flavor and maybe get my feet wet in wild cats.  I have limited experience with this barrel but do enjoy forming and making the brass.  On paper it's a great performer, I load a 200gr interbond over a healthy dose of imr4227 for 1900fps.  What I like about this particular barrel is the short 10pm tube is great for woods carry, is light, and I can shoot it off hand, perfect for those sub-50 yd shots up here in New England.  Right now it has no provisions for iron sights.  I had a sub-par red dot on it and that was good for fast acquisition but it didn't hold up to the recoil.  If I put better (heavier) optics on it, I get into taking away from the pistols fast handling characteristics that I like.  So....my long winded question is....would you more experienced guys go with irons, or can it be done?  it's not a bull barrel with lots of meat on it to go drilling and tapping into is what I'm concerned with.  Also, is there a better cartridge to consider for this use?  I have other barrels for longer range, and barrels that hit allot harder, this has all been an experience with something new really.  What do you folks think?

[Lonegun1894]

I currently have .22LR, .357 mag, and .44 mag with iron sights, and a 10" .30 Herrett with a 4x scope on it.  Just looking at the capabilities of the .30 and .357 Herretts, I would be tempted to scope it.  However, as you said, the scope will throw the balance off and affect the handling capabilities.  If your expected shots are limited to 50yds or so, I would just stick with the irons personally, as I feel comfortable shooting to about 60yds without a rest (although a rest is always preferred) or about 85yds with a scope in a hunting situation.  I am working on increasing my range with both sight systems, and have shot some with the .30 Herrett out to 200yds on the range with promising results.  I want to say the front sights on the 10" .22LR and .30 Herrett are brazed on, as I don't see any screws holding them in place, so I think your fears may be well founded as afr as not having enough metal to drill and tap into, but I am no gunsmith.  Not I have seen sights mounted by the drill and tap method, and also dovetailed in on barrels thinner than these, so I still think it may be very possible if you decide to get sights mounted after all.  Best of luck.

[Stape]

Thanks for the info.  I saw a 10in 357 Herrett barrel at my LGS with irons for 125.00.  Might see what kind of swap they'd do for mine.  I like the round and I like the performance out of such a short barrel.  For anything longer I have a good selection of other barrels for that.  Just trying to fit his Herrett into the mix!

[Junior1942]

Thanks for the info.  I saw a 10in 357 Herrett barrel at my LGS with irons for 125.00.  Might see what kind of swap they'd do for mine.  I like the round and I like the performance out of such a short barrel.  For anything longer I have a good selection of other barrels for that.  Just trying to fit his Herrett into the mix!

Put fiber optic sights on it the way I did.  See http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/minimax.htm