Can you change front sight on 617??

[BMKindoll]

Hello everybody.  I was ust curious if I am able to change out the front sight on my 617?  If so, what kind/style do you all recommend?  Also is there a certain style front sight that I need to purchase to be compatible with how my front sight is setup?

Thanks

Brandon

[doc-and]

Not sure about which 617 your talking about, but the blade on mine is pinned in place so it is replaceable. Not sure how to answer the rest of your questions.



docand

[FN in MT]

  What do you want? Why doesn't the stock frt sight work for You?

  Changing out the frt blade isn't a huge deal...but not something your local  gunsmith will generally do...without marking it up, etc.

  A frt blade change is best done by the factory.

FN in MT

[BMKindoll]

So if I buy a new front sight, you recommend that I send the gun into the factory to have the front sight replaced?

And the reason that I am wanting to replace the front sight is I just want something that is easier to quickly pick up in low light than whats on the gun now.

And BTW, my 617 is new 6" barreled 10 shot model.

Thanks


Brandon

[FN in MT]

Brandon,

  I've pretty much given up on the new S&W's since the LOCK was forced on all of us. Their manufacturing process has also changed somewhat recently. So I'm not 100% sure how your frt sight is configured. In the past frt sights were held on by a small pin or two ...so the frt blades were replaceable. I'm ASSUMING your newly produced 617 is the same.

  Why not try some light blue or yellow paint on the frt sight blade? I've added blue or yellow to them for years. I have used both water based and lacquer and a small model makers sable brush.

  You can carefully paint the entire blade top to bottom. Or I like to color only the portion of the blade I would see with a proper frt/rear sight alignment.

  I've tried the gold bead frt sights on an N frame and the bead was TOO LARGE. Screwed up the sight picture. S&W used to make a far smaller gold bead frt sight...those work nicely.  They also added a red insert to sights for years and years. Though red is one of the harder colors for the human eye to pick out. Yellow or light blue is far better. (At least for my eyes)

  I'd try coloring the frt sight. A cheap and easy way to experiment.

FN in MT

[doc-and]

Call S&W about installing their fiber optic sights (front blades) parts cost around $32.00, not sure what the installation charges would be. Comes in either Red or Green.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_759652_-1_757839_757837_image

Good luck

docand

[pneuby]

Brandon, IIRC most any 617 ought to have a pinned-on front blade. That said, it takes some dedicated tools to do it right, and a deft touch. Proper punches, and a vise....or at the very least, a solid bench-block, would be needed.