Sight modifications for a S&W 64-1

[Beorn]

I have an older Smith and Wesson "Oklahoma Highway Patrol" model 64-1 .357. It is a medium frame revolver, and judging from its rarity, a relatively obscure one.

I shoot it IDPA and it has standard sights. I do not want to bead blast this stainless beauty; it was my Grandfather's service revolver and I wish to keep it in the same condition he had it. But, I was wondering what coating (i.e.- removable if necessary) I could put on the front blade and rear notch so I could use it in lower light conditions more effectively.

When I shoot this gun at anything over 10 yards away in low light, I can never be certain that what I see is what I see.

I'v heard several suggestions (even using white-out or fingernail polish). I was wondering if anyone had an idea.

Thank you!

 

[Mike Irwin]

"I have an older Smith and Wesson "Oklahoma Highway Patrol" model 64-1 .357. It is a medium frame revolver, and judging from its rarity, a relatively obscure one."

Quite frankly, I'd retire it. There were only about 750 Model 64s in .357 Mag. made, it was continued as the Model 65 in 1973.

I'd simply retire it, as it does have some collector value.

You should be able to pick up a used Model 64 or a 65 at a decent price.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Oh geez, I never answered your question.

You can use any of a wide range of things to coat the sight, from luminescent paints that you can get at gun shows to nail polish.

 

[Old Fuff]

1. Go to a store that sells model supplies and buy one of the sets of model airplane/car/whatever/ paint. They usually consist of a number of small bottles of paint in different colors and a little brush.

2. Paint the front sight with different colors (model airplane paint remover will take off past coats) and experiment to find what color works best for you.

3. When you know what the best color is you can stick to the paint - which you will have to renew sometimes, but who cares? Or have a plastic insert of the desired hue inletted into the front sight.

Side note: I like gold (the color not the material). You might add this to your experiments. "Gold" is available as a model paint. A front sight insert can be made out of brass.

 

[Lone Star]

I was watching my daughter sort through about six jillion colors of nail polish one day, and spotted a bright orange/pink hue that I've used since. I apply two coats to the rear face of the front sight. Let the first coat dry before applying the second. The nail polish comes with a little brush in the bottle, of course.

I've had to sell a couple of guns so treated, and just used nail polish remover to clean off the sight first.

I did dry off any oil on the sight before painting it.

Lone Star

 

[Beorn]

Thanks everyone. I shot it today in an IDPA classifier. I was terrible. The sighting was better (white-out and nail polish), but the gun is too tight.

I am going to put it's original grips back on it, clean up the sights, and get another one that I can fool around with to the extent of the IDPA rules...

Thank you for all of the ideas!