replace rear sight blade?

[anothernewb]

Just got a smith 19-3 and I'm loving it!. However, my indoor range is lit about as well as the back of a cave at night during a new moon. Sighting consists of trying to align a black rear blade against a black front blade against a black target pinned in front of a black backstop while in a black booth with a black light that lights up telling you when you got it lined up...

At any rate, I can paint the front sight no problem. But - is it possible to swap out the rear blade for one with a white rectangle (or similar) without wrecking the sight? or does one have to replace the entire sight?

 

[bikemutt]

You can purchase a rear blade kit from MidwayUSA and others that you can use to replace the one you presently have. However, removing the one you have is a destructive procedure which is why you need to buy a kit to replace the destroyed part. I believe it's a pin which is peened in that will end up being replaced.

You also will need to measure your blade dimensions so your get one that's the same size.

I have always had my gunsmith replace the blades as he has all the tools which makes it fairly easy. Judging by the cuss words I hear muttered, it's only easy to do for the guy watching

If you decide to do it yourself, put the gun inside a plastic bag. There is a small spring whose secondary role in life is to cause anger, if it goes flying it's darn near impossible to find.

 

[anothernewb]

I'd probably have a smith do it, the local guy is good, and reasonable to boot. How about affecting the value of the firearm? are we talking an "oh they swapped out the sight blade - no big deal" or "drop it like it's hot"

Not that I really care that much about the value - I bought it to be shot, not to be a safe queen.