Top strap tap for Smith M69

[TacticalJanitor]

Hi All,
I recently bought a Smith M69 (.44 mag) and later found that it had been dropped on the rear sight. Smith's repair service seems to be running about two month lately and I have old eyes...so I bought a Bowen Classic rear sight with the white outline in lieu of wating for a Smith repair.

The Bowen is very good as I can now see the rear sight. However, when installing it I found that the middle hole in the top strap (that the Smith sight doesn't use) wasn't threaded all the way through and I can't seat the mounting screw. I've tried both screws in the front hole of the rear sight mount. Both fit. It's certainly a problem with the middle hole's threading.

Can anyone tell me (with any authority) what tap I need to chase the middle hole? I don't mind buying a tap to fix the problem correctly. Chasing threads isn't typically difficult.

Some Googling indicated that it's either a 2-56 or 3-56 tap...but there seems to be some dispute about this.

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[Kp321]

I really doubt it is 2-56 but there is no telling what Smith did. To make sure, take a piece of tapered wood such as a toothpick or sharpened chopstick and screw it into the known sized hole until it fills the hole. You can then measure the OD and tpi on the threaded stick.

 

[RKRCPA]

Ask Bowen, he'll know.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Ask Bowen, he'll know.

I did. They replied that it "appears" to be a 6-48 tap and I ordered one. If it is the correct tap I'll report back here for posterity.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I really doubt it is 2-56 but there is no telling what Smith did. To make sure, take a piece of tapered wood such as a toothpick or sharpened chopstick and screw it into the known sized hole until it fills the hole. You can then measure the OD and tpi on the threaded stick.

That's a good trick. They must make some sort of gage set to figure these things out. I might need to research that next.

Thanks.

 

[GooseGestapo]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004430582
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004546063

You may need one or the other of these...
Likely the first for a new M69.

Attach a picture of the new sight. I may want one too.

 

[BBBBill]

I recently bought a Smith M69

I assume you mean a 629? The M69 is a compact double stack semi auto. I have one. And a couple 629s.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I assume you mean a 629? The M69 is a compact double stack semi auto. I have one. And a couple 629s.

One of these:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-10064

I assumed the M stood for "model"...so I guess I have a Smith 69?

As to the project, I received the 6-48 tap and it worked like a charm. Both the middle and rear holes were screwy (threads didn't run all the way through or were full of junk)...but they work like butter now. During the wait I decided to put an RMR on the 69 instead of the new rear sights.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[RKRCPA]

One of these:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-10064

During the wait I decided to put an RMR on the 69 instead of the new rear sights.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I had a red dot sight on my 696 for awhile, it certainly made it easier to hit with. I'm thinking I may go with the Bowen rear sight.....maybe a V notch with a white dot up front.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I had a red dot sight on my 696 for awhile, it certainly made it easier to hit with. I'm thinking I may go with the Bowen rear sight.....maybe a V notch with a white dot up front.

View attachment 1136651

Yeah, I have a lot of trigger time with Glocks and RDSs...and I can't believe how high this RMR sits on the 69. I guess the good news is that it's my only L frame, so once I get the presentation worked out it'll be alright.

Or I'll put irons back on it.

I'll get it sighted in later this week with magnums and see how it goes.

6EB1F499-9738-4B5A-8026-1B3AF4B16ABE

• TacticalJanitor
• Feb 27, 2023

 

[BBBBill]

One of these:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-10064

I assumed the M stood for "model"...so I guess I have a Smith 69?

Indeed you do. Seems S&W has monkeyed around with the model numbers.

Mine is are actually Model 469 semi autos. Also comes as a 669, 6904, and 6906. My 44 is a Model 629 3" beastie that lets you know that you've got something when you fire it.