Model 19 Sight Help

[Lucky 7]

I was looking to replace the front sight on my 19-3 (2.5" if that matters), yet I am at a loss as what to order from Brownells (looking at either fiber optic or gold bead). I haven't the foggiest as to whether my M19-3 front sight is pinned, ramped, whatever.

Combat Magnum gurus, a lil help please.

Regards and Semper Fi!
-L7

 

[David E]

I'd paint the sight with white, then, when dried, blaze orange over it.

Lots cheaper.

Or, if yours has a sight insert, replace it with blaze orange. Brownell's offers kits to do it yourself.

 

[David E]

The 2.5" barreled 19 should have a ramped front sight. If there is a small round "head" about the size of the head of a pin, below the sight blade on the sight base, your sight is pinned. Do you have a punch that small? I don't !

Be sure and measure the height, first, so you can order the same.

 

[Oro]

I do not believe the 19-3 has a pinned front sight - I think it's not part of the barrel forging but braised on later, then the edges machined. I have a 66-1 2.5" (same engineering run as the 19-3) and a 2.5" 19-5 and neither show signs of being pinned. The larger N frames that came with sight options were the pinned ones (like a 27, 29, 25, etc.), I think.

If this is correct, you are going to have to grind off that front sight, cut a new groove to accept a new sight, then drill and pin it in place. After all that, a re-blue is going to be needed to make it look decent.

If yours is a non-insert type, then you have two easy options:

1) Simply put some orange or whatever color fingernail polish you want on the serrations. This is cheap and very effective.

2) If yours has an insert but you want a different color, the kits DavidE mentioned are pretty much DIY.

 

[aHFo3]

My 19-3 is not pinned, and it doesn't have an insert. I'm planning on painting the ramp...David E, great suggestion with the white "primer" coat. Thanks.

L7, are you using the factory rear sight? I thought about swapping for a more rugged style, like the Cylinder & Slide option, but discovered the factory sight doesn't snag like I thought it would for conceal carry.

 

[Lucky 7]

I like the factory rear sight although had a fleeting notion to replace. In the end, it's staying.

Thanks for the suggestions. The front sight was going to ge a paint job if the front sight replacement was going to be a hassle (which it seems to be).

Regards and Semper Fi!
-L7

 

[madcratebuilder]

Try using Bright sights. I have the big kit and it works great. You must CLEAN the sight several times with acetone and then alcohol to get good adhesion. Midway or Brownells sells the white outline rear sight for S&W for under $10. Helps me with the sight picture.


aHFo3, that's nice.

 

[Oro]

The front sight was going to ge a paint job

I suggest you give the fingernail polish a try before painting. it goes on easily, wears hard, and comes off in a flash with acetone. Paint isn't so easy to restore the finish to original if you either don't like it, want to change it, or decide to sell it. This is the standard technique for coloring front sights as it's the cheapest, cleanest, and most reversible.