Mounting S&W Front Sight

[mountaindrew]

I am purchasing an old N-frame with the intention of customizing it into a carry gun similar to the old Fitz special. I am fairly good at metal working, but this will be my first serious gunsmithing project.
The gun is a S&W 1917 whos collector value has been destroyed by a previus refinish and amaturish target sights mounted.
I intend to cut the 5.5 inch barrel back to about 3 inches, which doesnt worry me, but I am not sure how to mount the front sight. The barrel is very thin at the muzzle, but it is tapered so it might have a little meat at three inches. I am not sure it is thick enough to do a proper dovetail.
Any tips or links to good info on mounting a front sight (I do not really care what style, as long as it is low snag, and appropriate hight for the original fixed sights i intend to restore

 

[gb6491]

You might want to look at silver soldering or possible a screwed on sight.
Regards,
Greg

 

[rcmodel]

About the only thing you can go is fabricate a ramp sight to get it up where it has to be. (Be sure and make it higher then it needs to be for final filing sight-in.)

Make the base about 1/4" wide and contoured on the bottom to fit the barrel diameter.
Then silver-solder it on the barrel.

The barrel is too thin for any other attachment method.


rcmodel

 

[20nickels]

Weigand interchangable ramp?

 

[Old Fuff]

Back when surplus .455 and .45 N-frame S&W revolvers were going for $20.00 and under, a lot of them got chopped. Usually a long rifle ramp was soldered onto the barrel, and a sight of the correct height was mounted in the ramp. This allowed for both windage and elevation adjustments.

For a possible selection of ramps and sights, go to: www.e-gunparts.com

Check out "sights," not Smith & Wesson

 

[mountaindrew]

What do you guys thing about something along these lines

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=763910&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

Could I machine a slot, press in the sight and then peen or stake it in place?
Again, I am not sure how thick the barrel is at the 3in mark.

 

[rcmodel]

NO.
The barrel is too thin without any additional slotting.

As already stated, A silver-soldered ramp is your best choice.

Even Colt blade sights like the one you linked too are not just pressed or peened in.
They are hard soldered in the slot.
Otherwise, they will eventually shoot loose and fall out.


rcmodel