Do I HAVE to Break the windage screw to change a S&W sight blade?

[krs]

There's the question.

I think that the screw is designed to be broken in order to remove it, but I wanted to check with anyone who knows better before going ahead and doing it.

I want to put a V notch blade in place of the normal one, to make the use of my new gold dot front sight more better.

 

[dfariswheel]

It's designed to be broken.
The method of changing the sight can be found on several sites.

 

[Old Fuff]

There is a nut attached to the other end of the screw that is staked in place. You might get them apart without breaking the screw, but it's unlikely. You will also have to re-stake the nut after the new blade is installed.

You might want to check with S&W. They used to make blades with a white-outlined "U" notch for use with gold bead front sights.

There is also a little detent and spring in the screw head, and it would be very wise to purchase one or two extras.

Don't ask me how I know...

 

[krs]

OK, I have Kuhnhausen and it's how he describes doing it, I was just thinking that someone had found a way around it.

Thanks for the tip, Fuffer. Seems simpler to change out the whole sight.

(Fuffer as in Old Duffer - it's golf talk.......LOL!)

 

[Old Fuff]

Seems simpler to change out the whole sight.

Yes and no....

Smith & Wesson has changed the sight base at least two times, and you would have to be sure to get the right one. In the case of older model production this can sometimes be difficult.

Also an entirely new sight will be more expensive, and you may not get the kind of a blade you want, or at least prefer.

 

[Jim K]

I have managed to remove the screw without breaking it, but never counted on it. Since it is best to have a spare screw on hand anyway, it is probably easier to just break it.

Jim