Model 69 night sights

[kooz]

Has anyone installed tritium sights on their Smith model 69 ? I have a 2 3/4" that I need night sights for and not seeing any good options . Looks like Meprolight has them, but their front sight is about .040 shorter than my factory blade .

[bula]

Do get the height you require. Consider night sight front only , or a "dot the I" set up. Vertical bar in rear, not 2 more dots. When down to really needing night sights, forget the saving to hostage head shot scenarios. Alternating from both eyes open to one closed to protect your night vision, makes putting the correct dot in the middle under stress difficult. 

[bradshaw]

Dec 1, 2022 11:47:34 GMT -5 kooz said:

Has anyone installed tritium sights on their Smith model 69 ? I have a 2 3/4" that I need night sights for and not seeing any good options . Looks like Meprolight has them, but their front sight is about .040 shorter than my factory blade .

*****

kooz.... especially for revolvers, there seems little or no front regulation. Revolvers generally have a higher bore axis than an auto pistol. In conconjunction with the heavier bullets revolvers often pack, a variety of barrels lengths eliminate a one-height-fits-all solution. My Scientific Wild Ass Guess (SWAG) says you have 4.75” sight radius. The Meprolight is .040” lower than your M-69 ramp. Your muzzle to angles up, raising Point of Impact (POI) 7.6” @ 25 yards. Or, POI 3” high @ 10 yards.

An alternative to this dilemma----especially if Meprolight rear is higher than S&W factory rear sight----install Meprolight front sight, with S&W rear. My preference is tritium front & back tritium. However, tritium front ain’t bad.

Nothing like tritium sights in the dark, tritium glows as dusk falls----and fiberoptic dims. In my experience, tritium dots have a maximum shelf life of 10 years, but that’s stretching it. Most die at 7 years, some sooner. I’ve done tighter shooting at longer ranges with Trijicon and Meprolight tritiums than with fiberoptic.
David Bradshaw

[ezekiel38]

I've carried tritium sights on handguns since the 80s. On duty weapons and EDC weapons. Still use them today. I've had good luck with Meprolight. I whole heartedly agree with Bula and recommend the front sight only, especially for self defense distances against two legged predators. Use that front sight like a bead on a shotgun at 10 yds and under. Most SD firearm incidents occur around the 6-7ft range. I prefer a front bead only and a bar of white paint on the rear reminiscent of the old Sig setup. This setup just brings total focus on that front sight so quickly for me. YMMV.

Jim Cirillo the lead gunfighter of the NYPD Stakeout squad religiously pounded into his students that FRONT SIGHT focus was tanamount to hits in a SD setting. He survived many gunfights at up close and personal range. He's worth checking into.

Lastly I'll say this: In armed confrontations at police/civilian situations YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP A "PERFECT SIGHT PICTURE". FIND THAT BEAD FRONT SIGHT AND RUN THAT GUN LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

[kooz]

Thanks for replies . I called Meprolight and they sell a tritium dot that replaces the red plastic insert in S&W sights , this is just what I was looking for .

[jfo4]

www.dlsports.com/sandw_kln_frame_sights.html

[kooz]

Dec 1, 2022 16:34:14 GMT -5 jfo4 said:

www.dlsports.com/sandw_kln_frame_sights.html

Thanks for the link ! I just ordered a set . Very nice looking sights . Going to send the Meprolights back .