S&W Third Model Makeover Advice Sought

[Cholla]

I have a Third Model S&W in .44 Special that I love to shoot. It is quite accurate, and shoots point-of-aim with any reasonable load. The problem is my almost 60 year old eyes don't pick up the sights quite like they used to. Externally the revolver is in so-so shape with the finish having greyed, some light pitting on the cylinder and heavy pitting under the grips. Since it really doesn't have much collectors value, I've decided to try to find a 'smith to do some work to the sights, Basically I'd like to have the rear square sight groove widened and deepened and the front sight widened and maybe reshaped. Actually I'd like the sights to mimic those on the Model 10-x's.




Any suggestions for a good gunsmith who could do this?

[Encore64]

I'd probably call Jack Huntington first...

[taffin]

My solution. It was done by a local gunsmith who is now long gone.

postimg.cc/CzvhpQ1N

[Cholla]

Feb 18, 2023 13:02:14 GMT -5 taffin said:

My solution. It was done by a local gunsmith who is now long gone.

postimg.cc/CzvhpQ1N

Excellent idea Mr. Taffin. Did the 'smith modify the rear sight groove?

[taffin]

WASN'T NECESSARY FOR MY EYES

[jeffh]

I empathize, regarding the sights, but I wouldn't touch anything else as long as it shoots well.

That gun is beautiful to me. I love that look of long experience. It complements the graceful, classic Smith lines.

[Cholla]

Feb 18, 2023 16:24:41 GMT -5 jeffh said:

I empathize, regarding the sights, but I wouldn't touch anything else as long as it shoots well.

That gun is beautiful to me. I love that look of long experience. It complements the graceful, classic Smith lines.

Oh no, no plans to anything else to it. It's a great shooting revolver!

[Fowler]

I’d probably reshape and checker the sight and cold blue it and see how it goes before dovetailing a new blade in.

Classic gun, I like those old guns with character.

[Cholla]

Feb 18, 2023 18:13:44 GMT -5 Fowler said:

I’d probably reshape and checker the sight and cold blue it and see how it goes before dovetailing a new blade in.

Classic gun, I like those old guns with character.

I've already taken a 40 lpi Swiss file to the rear of the front sight, which helped, but it's still too thin. My thought is to mill the rear sight groove open to .125" and deepen it slightly, and have the front sight widened to .125", I'd guess by TIG welding both sides then milling them down smooth. I'd rather not dovetail the front if at all possible.

[bigbrowndog]

What helps me tremendously is a clear flat rear with sharp edges to denote THIS IS THE REAR SIGHT. The rounded topstrap of a Vaquero or old SW or Colt just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve taken a 1/4” round file and squared up the hump or shoulders of the topstrap to make a more definitive sight picture. Then making a flat sighting surface on the front helps make for a sharper more definitive sight picture. If you go back and look at the topic Bear Spray 500L, you’ll see the modification to the topstrap I’m referring too, I’ve done this on a couple of SW fixed sight guns I’ve taken from 4” guns to 3” guns. Sadly I’m image posting challenged on this site, or I’d post an image of the mod I did to a SW M13, it helps me a lot.
As far as modding the front sight, the Bowen site shows some nicely done dovetailed fronts on older Smiths and Colts, I wouldn’t write off not doing a dovetailed front.

Trapr

[Cholla]

Feb 19, 2023 18:02:24 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

What helps me tremendously is a clear flat rear with sharp edges to denote THIS IS THE REAR SIGHT. The rounded topstrap of a Vaquero or old SW or Colt just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve taken a 1/4” round file and squared up the hump or shoulders of the topstrap to make a more definitive sight picture. Then making a flat sighting surface on the front helps make for a sharper more definitive sight picture. If you go back and look at the topic Bear Spray 500L, you’ll see the modification to the topstrap I’m referring too, I’ve done this on a couple of SW fixed sight guns I’ve taken from 4” guns to 3” guns. Sadly I’m image posting challenged on this site, or I’d post an image of the mod I did to a SW M13, it helps me a lot.
As far as modding the front sight, the Bowen site shows some nicely done dovetailed fronts on older Smiths and Colts, I wouldn’t write off not doing a dovetailed front.

Trapr

I think the existing rear sight is close to "right".



The notch just needs to be a tad deeper and widened to .125", and if the rear of it could be cleaned up with an end mill, that might help too.

I might could get by with the front sight as-is if the rear were more open-



I look for the Bear Spray 500L topic but didn't find any photos. I'd really like to see what you've done.

I'll check out the Bowen sights.

[500fksjr]

Feb 18, 2023 12:31:06 GMT -5 Cholla said:

I have a Third Model S&W in .44 Special that I love to shoot. It is quite accurate, and shoots point-of-aim with any reasonable load. The problem is my almost 60 year old eyes don't pick up the sights quite like they used to. Externally the revolver is in so-so shape with the finish having greyed, some light pitting on the cylinder and heavy pitting under the grips. Since it really doesn't have much collectors value, I've decided to try to find a 'smith to do some work to the sights, Basically I'd like to have the rear square sight groove widened and deepened and the front sight widened and maybe reshaped. Actually I'd like the sights to mimic those on the Model 10-x's.




Any suggestions for a good gunsmith who could do this?

Have you tried a bit of color on the front sight? put a coat of white on then say orange or green over that...To answer on a smith...Andy Horvath does nice sight work as you have said open up that back and thicken the front patch ridge style with a brass insert...my eyes like that..

[bigbrowndog]

Cholla, that first image you posted shows the glare that the rounded shoulders of the topstrap produce that causes me fits with seeing a clear sight picture. Widening and deepening the notch would be easy enough with a small square file.

Trapr

[bigbrowndog]

singleactions.proboards.com/thread/21263/bear-spray-500-linebaugh

Third Image and fourth image , it was posted by LSCG, as I am pic posting challenged on here, it is a few posts down from the first.

Trapr

[Cholla]

Feb 20, 2023 9:58:20 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

Cholla, that first image you posted shows the glare that the rounded shoulders of the topstrap produce that causes me fits with seeing a clear sight picture. Widening and deepening the notch would be easy enough with a small square file.

Trapr

OK, I see what you're saying. The glare on the rounded topstrap doesn't bother me when the face of the rear sight is recessed as it is on the revolver in question or the Model 10-x's. It does bother me on traditional SA revolvers with bright finishes. I've been able to abate the problem with the application of some flat black model airplane paint. I have a blast cabinet and I suppose it'd be easy enough to mask off everything except the rear of the topstrap, blast it then apply a little cold blue.

I've tried widening and deepening rear sight notches with a needle file and I just don't have the patience, or the skill for that.

Feb 20, 2023 10:00:56 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

singleactions.proboards.com/thread/21263/bear-spray-500-linebaugh

Third Image and fourth image , it was posted by LSCG, as I am pic posting challenged on here, it is a few posts down from the first.

Trapr

Thank a million for the link. I really like the utility-ness of that revolver, especially the finish. I have a couple of Uberti Hombre's with that finish and the rear sight notch stands out nicely. I'm definitely going to study the photos of your revolver more.