S&W Front sights

[Corse]

So I bought a model 28 off of gun broker and there was a snafu with the pictures and I am currently working with the seller to rectify.

The issue is the front sight. I received this:

100998

I’ve been doing some research and have contacted a few gunsmiths, but haven’t heard anything back yet.

Any recommendations on repairing this?

[DamonL]

If you are talking about repairing the red insert, I would call S&W directly about fixing that.

[LtDave]

Replacing a front insert is no big deal. Something many local smiths can do. You can even have a different color.

[SCCY Marshal]

You can just knock it out and cast some dyed resin in place:

https://yewtu.be/watch?v=8RZvGFHZxeE

[Brian T]

It's incredibly easy to do at home.

If it was sold as perfect though, I'd understand a gripe. Maybe a few bucks refund. But again, very easy to rectify at home, and you can choose your color of insert.

[Corse]

This is how it was sold:

101024

Now, if it had what appeared to be a factory smith front sight with the insert I would be fine with it. This looks like bubba went at it with his tools.

101025

The problem is, it doesn’t appear pinned, so I can’t replace it. Plus they may have shortened it with a file, but it’s hard to tell. The fact that the rear sight came cranked all the way down to the frame might be an indication of this.

Is anyone familiar with front sight machining/replacement?

[358156hp]

It's a gunsmith job, and involves using a "key" (woodruff key) cutter to cut the recess, then drilling for a cross pin. I'm sure there are other ways too, but that's what I'm familiar with.

[rathos]

find someone that can do the SDM sight treatment for it. I had that done when I cut my model 19 down to 3 inches. I can swap the front sight with no tools when/if I want or need to.

[BN]

Some of the older S&Ws really are pinned but you can't see it. They pin the sight before they polish and blue. I once had a dovetail cut for one and discovered that it had been pinned.101038 Here's how I did a similar revolver sight.

[Corse]

Some of the older S&Ws really are pinned but you can't see it. They pin the sight before they polish and blue. I once had a dovetail cut for one and discovered that it had been pinned.101038 Here's how I did a similar revolver sight.

If the pin is removed, do you think it will ever be that invisible again?

I say this because I am unable to find it. They did a great job.

[BN]

Here's another barrel that I had a dovetail cut and then I could see the pin down in the slot. The pin wasn't easy to see on the side of the barrel. I have no idea if your sight might be pinned or not.

101054101055

[Corse]

Here's another barrel that I had a dovetail cut and then I could see the pin down in the slot. The pin wasn't easy to see on the side of the barrel. I have no idea if your sight might be pinned or not.

101054101055

Who did you have cut the dovetail?

[BN]

Who did you have cut the dovetail?

I had a local guy do it. It's just a Novak dovetail like on 1911s and you can pick any sight that fits a Novak dovetail.