colored plastic front sight insert replacement

[lee n. field]

I've got a S&W Model 19. The colored plastic insert in the front sight has gone missing.

S&W tells me that it would need to come in to them because the part is "melted into place". Hmmmm.

Anybody know of any other source for these, or suggest an appropriate make-do fix?

 

[Black Snowman]

I've heard of people making/having made brass inserts on their front blades. Might require a mill cut depending on the shape of the current one or may just need to be press fit.

 

[JoeHatley]

www.brownells.com sells a kit to install replacement colored inserts (does bout 50 IIRC). If you only have one to do, you may want to just use some paint/epoxy mix.

Just knock the old insert out, mix up some generic 5 minute epoxy, add a bit of paint (your choice), and put it in the notch. Use masking tape as temporary "walls" to hold the epoxy in place. When dry, use a razor to carefully trim off the excess and smooth the flats.

I know it sounds like a real "shadetree" fix, and it is, but it works quite well.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[dfariswheel]

Joe's method works very well.

Another is to make a new insert from colored plastic and epoxy it in place.
I used to use pieces of an old orange screwdriver handle.
This type of plastic is tough, and solvent proof.

On most S&W front sights, under the insert you will see two tiny holes. These serve to "lock" whatever insert you're using in place.

Before installing whichever type of insert you're using, use a tiny drill or needle to clean out the holes.

When installing the insert or pouring in the epoxy, make sure to fill the holes with new epoxy. This locks the finished insert in place.

 

[mete]

Since I think plastic inserts are terrible I made a replacement of steel ,carefully fitted, and blued it. The problem with S&W plastic and the same was true of my Benelli shotgun is that if you are in the shade you get one sight picture and out in the sun you get another .When I went to a black sight I was two clicks off at 50 yds because of this .As was everyone else who did the same thing.

 

[grendelbane]

I agree that a black sight can be superior to a plastic insert in many situations.

Sometimes the plastic insert is easier to see.

Another source of plastic inserts is toothbrush handles.

Or you could whittle a gold insert out of that double eage you have been saving for hard times.

 

[lee n. field]

Another source of plastic inserts is toothbrush handles.

Very good ideas. Thanks all.