S&W 642 front sight

[pfgrone]

Has anyone found an entirely satisfactory way to make the front blade sight more visible on a 642? It doesn't look like there is enough steel to have a custom front sight mounted - but I haven't checked. I saw some $18-19 glow stuff for painting on the front blade at Sportsman's Warehouse here in Texas. Instead I went to Target and found some hot orange fingernail polish for $2 instead. (Got some strange looks from the women shoppers while I was browsing the fingernail polish). The fingernail polish helps but it is still a far cry from the HIVIZ Green Dot on my S&W 317 Kit Gun.
Paul G

 

[TarpleyG]

Considering what the 642 and those types were designed for, a hi-vis front sight wouldn't be a high priority. In fact, it would hinder a draw. Practice more point shooting with it close in and you'll soon learn you don't even really need the sights. I know, not what you were looking for but that's my advice to you anyway.

Greg

 

[JNewell]

Probably the most visible replacement that does not change front blade height is the Ashley Express big dot blade sold for the S&W J frames.

 

[Brian Williams]

construction marking paint

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I was wondering about this for my model 60 2." I fired it at the range and missed all five shots. The 686 4" - I hit a bull's eye at 75 ft. The red sight on that gun helps a lot. I'm curious if a good cheap solution would be the painted on bright lights. Anyone know if they're durable?

 

[pfgrone]

"Practice more point shooting with it close in and you'll soon learn you don't even really need the sights. I know, not what you were looking for but that's my advice to you anyway."

TarpleyG, thanks for the advice. I've been thinking about it and you're probably right if your only use is as a self defense weapon. However, I will spend a lot more time target shooting at an indoor pistol range than I ever will using it as a self defense weapon - so I think improved sights are a benefit to me - but maybe not to you. I think a .32 Special snubbie is a wonderfully enjoyable challenge trying to target shoot well. Its really fun to TRY to shoot those buggers accurately.
Paul G.

 

[MillCreek]

I use Testor's acrylic model paint in bright fluorescent green. It costs $ 0.97 the 1/4th ounce bottle at Wal-Mart, and will no doubt outlast me. It seems pretty darn durable, and I put on an undercoat of flat white before applying the neon green paint. It can come off from holster wear, but it takes me about 60 seconds to reapply, and five minutes to dry. I have found the acrylic to be more durable than the enamel.

I have experimented with white, bright yellow, international orange and the neon green and my eyes seem to pick up the neon green the best. Your mileage may vary.

 

[deputy tom]

MillCreek is right on the money with his paint choices.I've tried the green,yellow and orange and the green stands out best for me too!tom.

 

[Navy joe]

Orange nail polish is my usual treatment, I haven't gotten ahold of my 642 front sight with it yet. What I did do last range visit with it was to grab a sharpie marker and blacken the rear notch and the top 1/4" all the way across the back, front sight is now way more visible. I think sight designers in general are clueless about how eyes work, all these dots and lines and bright finish on rear sights is too busy for the eye. I do the same thing with a Glock, black out all the white crap on the rear sight. I also agree they are belly guns and you should be able to shoot them up close without sighting. Given time however it is always advisable to look at your gun to confirm index. What careful sighted fire tells me with a 642 is that I can make a 1" group at 7 yards but it is 3 inches right no matter the ammo or patience given to the trigger, methinks my barrel is not twisted on quite straight.

 

[R.H. Lee]

That looks really good Brian, but I wonder if the front sight wouldn't be better painted bright white for nightime visibility. And Tarpley, I agree that sighting a 642 wouldn't be a high priority, it is a belly gun after all.

 

[FW]

Go to the craft section in Wal Mart or other store and find some of that thick "paint" in a tube made for decorating sweat shirts. It is intented to be permanent on fabrics and can go through a washing machine (must be tuff). It's available in several colors. It sticks to the serated surface of 642 sight quite well. What ever you do, make sure the surface is very clean before applying anything.

 

[lesjones]

Laser Grips

I use CrimsonTrace Laser Grips and like them a lot. Not cheap, but they allow me to get on target really fast and work great in low light. I'd lke to paint the sites as a backup.