Changing sights on new S&W 317

[desmobob]

I gritted my teeth and ordered a new 317 today. I already know I'm going to dislike the sights (I don't like fiber optic sights or V-notch rear sights).

Is it a simple matter of ordering a square notch rear blade from another J-frame model? I've seen them listed (just the blade) for around ten bucks, but is the height correct? How about just filing the V-notch square?

What about finding the correct height front blade that will fit the 317?

Thanks for any information,
Bob

 

[Riomouse911]

The FO isn’t awful, but the V notch stinks.
I haven’t swapped mine out yet, but the blades sold for the J frames should be a direct swap.

The front sight is rather long, so you may want to get it home and measure it before ordering to get one that fits well. You could also blacken the rear-face of the sight out and make it into sort of a Patridge blade, which should give you a good sight picture.

My 317, all stock (for now).


Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Stay safe.

 

[desmobob]

The FO isn’t awful, but the V notch stinks.
I haven’t swapped mine out yet, but the blades sold for the J frames should be a direct swap.

The front sight is rather long, so you may want to get it home and measure it before ordering to get one that fits well. You could also blacken the rear-face of the sight out and make it into sort of a Patridge blade, which should give you a good sight picture.

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Stay safe.

It would seem like the blade from another J-frame would be a correct fit except for the possibility the height could be wrong. I've read several reports of folks spending a ton of time trying to get S&W to provide parts or info to change them out. I currently have a query in to S&W via their contact form. I'll post any information I receive.

I have painted over/blacked out fiber optic front sights before, but they had flat tops that provided a decent precision sight picture in a square rear notch. I believe the 317 front has a rounded top. I'm sure I could square it out with some black colored epoxy or similar or make one out of steel stock if I can't find a replacement I like.

It seems like the 317's sights are universally disliked. I think every review I watched had complaints about the fiber optic/V-groove sight combination, but S&W continues to use it. Bummer.

On the bright side, I was feeling particularly fiscally irresponsible after ordering the 317 today. And this afternoon, the phone rang... it was the president of my local fish & game club, telling me I won 1st prize --$350 -- in the annual club raffle today. That helps! But I'm going to get a lot of grief about it. I won last year too!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Could put a dot on it, should be drilled/tapped for a rail.

 

[desmobob]

Could put a dot on it, should be drilled/tapped for a rail.

Not something I had in mind for this revolver...

 

[Pat Riot]

I have a model 63. I played around with the sights a bit. Went from a square notch to a V. Hated that, but since I swapped the blades I decided to change the whole rear sight. At the time I didn’t like the red fiber optic front sight so I installed a green. Now I am back to liking red as I have a proper eyeglass prescription for astigmatism. I will be swapping it again.

Anyway, here are the sights I ordered.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004441585?pid=315528

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2343739317?pid=739317

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I once swapped the rear sight blade on an N-Frame for a Meprolight with tritium dots -- I presume the procedure is the same. The new blade came with simple instructions. As I recall, it wasn't particularly difficult. Here's their instructions:

 

[desmobob]

I gritted my teeth and ordered a new 317 today. I already know I'm going to dislike the sights (I don't like fiber optic sights or V-notch rear sights).

Is it a simple matter of ordering a square notch rear blade from another J-frame model? I've seen them listed (just the blade) for around ten bucks, but is the height correct? How about just filing the V-notch square?

What about finding the correct height front blade that will fit the 317?

Thanks for any information,
Bob

From Smith & Wesson:
Unfortunately, we do not offer a square notch rear sight. The front blade sight is pinned in so it can easily be replaced. The height of the sight is .269.

 

[lincen]

I have a model 63. I played around with the sights a bit. Went from a square notch to a V. Hated that, but since I swapped the blades I decided to change the whole rear sight. At the time I didn’t like the red fiber optic front sight so I installed a green. Now I am back to liking red as I have a proper eyeglass prescription for astigmatism. I will be swapping it again.

Anyway, here are the sights I ordered.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004441585?pid=315528

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2343739317?pid=739317

I did the same thing and it was an easy swap. Replacing the blade requires buying the blade, screw, and nut. Plus, you better not let that little spring and plunger that clicks on the screw get away from you. They are tiny.

 

[Pat Riot]

I did the same thing and it was an easy swap. Replacing the blade requires buying the blade, screw, and nut. Plus, you better not let that little spring and plunger that clicks on the screw get away from you. They are tiny.

That’s why I just bought the whole rear sight assembly.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I've changed out a number of Smith sight blades, and can't say I've had any trouble getting a replacement. Unless something has changed, the notched blade isn't hard to find for a J gun. Measure the height of the existing sight. The windage screw is meant to be sacrificial; tighten it 'till it breaks. The screw, and its nut, are inexpensive. I've taken a few apart, but usually it's a waste of time.
I've an early 63, and the front sight is forged with the barrel.
Changing the front sight on alloy Smiths is really fiddly work.
Moon

 

[ClemY]

I did the same thing and it was an easy swap. Replacing the blade requires buying the blade, screw, and nut. Plus, you better not let that little spring and plunger that clicks on the screw get away from you. They are tiny.

I did the same thing to mine changing out the rear V blade for a square notch blade. I also changed out the front sight for a black, serrated ramp.

 

[trackskippy]

I had one of the newer 317's a little while back and I did just what youre suggesting. The factory set up flat out sucks. They could at least squared off the front post on the FO blade, and the V notch is a joke.

I got both front and rear replacements off Midway and they didnt beat me up too much. If youre the least bit handy, it shouldnt be a problem swapping them. The rear sight can be a little tricky. Be careful taking it apart, as there are itty bitty sprooongy parts in there.

 

[Legionnaire]

Love the 317. Had an original pre-lock and stupidly traded it away. Bought a more recent model with the lock, v-notch, and FO front sight and really didn't like the sights. Finally found another pre-lock specimen. It's not going anywhere!

We will want to see the new hardware when you get it done.

 

[desmobob]

Oh crap! It's going to take a while longer to get it. I bought it from a dealer on Gunbroker. My local FFL is on file there, which usually makes things quick and easy; Gunbroker provides the seller with my FFL immediately. But I just read the small print from the seller on my order and my FFL has to supply his copy plus my Gunbroker user name, the item number and the order number. I just lost three days by not noticing this requirement.

More time to look for holsters, I guess...

Edit to add: Look like they had shipped it on Thursday without ever getting that extra info from my FFL guy. I had him send the extra information yesterday and I got the tracking information today. It's already on the way and should arrive tomorrow!

 

[desmobob]

We will want to see the new hardware when you get it done.

I'm hoping it will look exactly like yours!

Bob

 

[cfullgraf]

Different strokes for different folks

While I’m not a fan of the V-notch rear blade on the 317, I’ve adapted.

The super light weight of the 317 ( it is called an AirLite for a reason) makes some precision in holding the sight picture difficult.

I does not sound like changing the rear sight blade is difficult, one just needs to get all the right parts.

I have dispatched a ground hog at 25-30 feet without issue using the V-notch sights.

Try them first and then make your decision.

 

[desmobob]

Try them first and then make your decision.

I certainly will. If I can live with them, I'll be very happy!

There have been other times I worried about something before it was a real issue and wasted a lot of stress. I've read a lot of reports of folks not liking, or even hating, the stock sights. But there are also reports like cfullgraf's, where folks had no problem adapting to the arrangement.

If I can't adapt, I'll square the notch in the rear. If I'm still not happy, I'll replace the front. Stages.

 

[chickasaw_hunter]

I knew I wanted a 317 when they first came on the market. I bought mine early on and was blissfully happy with it. It wasn't until my buddy who liked mine bought a new one several years later and I saw the "new" sights on it. He instantly disliked it as did I. He went on a quest to replace the sight. My early 317 came with the just the plain jane ole patridge style of sights.

 

[desmobob]

I got to handle my new one briefly at the FFL yesterday. It's hard to say how I like the sights from just looking at them in the dim light of indoors (and without the +1.00 glasses I like to wear when pistol shooting). I dropped off my amendment paperwork to the county sheriffs office this morning to have it added to my pistol license. I'm not sure how long that takes these days, but I hope to have the 317 at the range by next week.

 

[halfmoonclip]

A friend likes those so called 'express' sights, with the v-notch. I could never repeat the sight picture reliably, so I went to the conventional notch; the factory, fiber optic front lines up okay for me.
Moon

 

[cfullgraf]

A friend likes those so called 'express' sights, with the v-notch. I could never repeat the sight picture reliably, so I went to the conventional notch; the factory, fiber optic front lines up okay for me.
Moon

I set the fiber optic on the sides of the v-notch. Seems like a pretty reliable and repeatable sight picture for me.

It may not work well under low light situations though.

 

[halfmoonclip]

cfullgraf, that was exactly what I could not do.
Where I really had trouble was at our indoor range, where the light is crummy, so that may be some of the problem.
Had he same type sights on a 325; it must be a policy at Smith, fitting those sights to their lightweight guns.
Moon

 

[desmobob]

I dropped off my amendment paperwork to the county sheriffs office this morning to have it added to my pistol license. I'm not sure how long that takes these days, but I hope to have the 317 at the range by next week.

I dropped off my amendment paperwork on Tuesday morning, hoping to have it processed by Friday. No luck. My FFL tells me "three to five days." Hopefully I'll get my updated permit on Monday. The wait is killing me... I feel like a (62-year-old) kid waiting for Christmas!

 

[Riomouse911]

I ordered the replacement blade, screw, nut and spring from Midway and installed them today. As a first timer it took a bit of time to watch the Brownells step-by-step on You Tube and make it work.

As the guys posted above, the spring and detent are micro-sized. I recommend anyone doing a swap order one extra of each, because if these little parts launch the chances of recovery are slim to none.



Stay safe.