New sights for my 617

[Dixiejack]

I know I have seen some posts on sights for the 617, but I am asking anyway.  Bought a 617 about a month ago and have run close to a brick through it.  Everything seems to be smoothing up and it ready for a major cleaning.  Also, my old eyes are not seeing as well with the factory sights.  I don't plan on doing much night shooting but I need a set of sights I can see. I am thinking about a white outline rear sight (maybe replacing the existing sight blade if possible and using a bright front sight.  Trying to decide between white or green dot.   I do like the idea of the movable rear sight. 
This is going to be a two part question.  I have a MODEL 4566 with factory sights and I plan on replacing them with bright sights that will be visible more in day than night.  Neither of these 2 guns are CCW or go to guns. Just range guns.  What kind of sights do I want?

[John R.]

I like the various fiber optic sights. Check before you order for the 617, most are to tall. The 4566 should be fine with plain fiber optic or TFO's (tritium/fiber optic) if they make them for that gun.

[Dixiejack]

Thanks. This gives me a place to start looking.

[flabbydan]

I wish S&W would use something other than a "railroad tie" for a front sight on their revolvers.  About the only handgun I can shoot decent groups with is a Contender with its narrow front sight and narrow rear notch.  My offhand shooting is about the same whether revolver or T/C, but when I have to sight-in it's always a chore.  I've tried the Merit aperture and it helps a lot, but I don't do well with a front sight that's as wide as a bus.
I really want to use my 617 for squirrel hunting, but it's not gonna happen.  With a scope mounted, it will do 1 inch at 25 yards with a variety of ammo, but I don't want a scope on my handgun.
Rant over.

[Dixiejack]

dan,
You brought up a good point on the wide sight.  617's should come with better front sight.  I don't want a blob sitting on the end of the barrel.

[Dixiejack]

Just had a HiViz red front sight put on.  Going to pick it up tomorrow.

[Old No7]

Older post, but here's what I added to my Model 617.

First pix is the sight picture for the Bowen Classic Arms "Shallow Vee" rear sight that I added.  I really like this sight setup for plinking and hunting and it works pretty well on targets too.  For my eyes, it works almost like a peep sight, with the front gold bead lining itself up easily/quickly in the shallow vee.  My Rugers were done this way, and all my S&W revolvers will soon be setup this way too...


Here's a close-up of the gold (polished brass) bead that I added to the stock 617 partridge sight.


Tight groups!

Old No7

[flabbydan]

Nice!  I like that setup.

[Dixiejack]

Nice setup. That's the way I need to go on several of my Smith's.  Thanx for the pics.

[S.B.]

Older post, but here's what I added to my Model 617.

First pix is the sight picture for the Bowen Classic Arms "Shallow Vee" rear sight that I added.  I really like this sight setup for plinking and hunting and it works pretty well on targets too.  For my eyes, it works almost like a peep sight, with the front gold bead lining itself up easily/quickly in the shallow vee.  My Rugers were done this way, and all my S&W revolvers will soon be setup this way too...


Here's a close-up of the gold (polished brass) bead that I added to the stock 617 partridge sight.


Tight groups!

Old No7

I can't remember seeing any of these sights before, who makes them? I have a set for my Redhawk but, none for my S&Ws. Front sight in top picture looks quite a bit thinner than your second picture?
Steve