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New S&W 638 upgrading rear sight
- Thread starter bnaz
- Start date
Since your revolver, like many J-frames, has it's sights integrally milled into the frame (rear) and barrel (front), changes won't be easy.
A good gunsmith could certainly insert and secure a rear sight into a milled notch where the existing tunnel sight is, or perhaps weld and re-machine a 'V' sight, but since the frame of that gun is aluminum, both would be rather specialized work.
I have a 642 and have investigated getting the front sight swapped for something better (i.e., not silver and small) and finally decided the smartest plan would be to buy a different gun. Swapping sights on these aluminum J-frames is just complex, and therefore expensive.
Larry
A good gunsmith could certainly insert and secure a rear sight into a milled notch where the existing tunnel sight is, or perhaps weld and re-machine a 'V' sight, but since the frame of that gun is aluminum, both would be rather specialized work.
I have a 642 and have investigated getting the front sight swapped for something better (i.e., not silver and small) and finally decided the smartest plan would be to buy a different gun. Swapping sights on these aluminum J-frames is just complex, and therefore expensive.
Larry
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
Don't bother with upgrading the sights. Just sell the gun or buy another with good sights in mind. There are lots of good options. if you prefer S&W they have some new "Ultimate Carry" revolvers that come with replaceable sights if you should desire.
2damnold4this
New member
It isn't ideal but you can try using a black marker to black out the parts of the rear sight that face you.
Welcome to the forum.
There's lots of good information here from a lot of folk that really do know their stuff AND they are polite and civil.
If several posters agree on something, like it would be difficult to mount a new rear sight on your handgun and not really worth the effort, you can pretty much assume they are correct.
That said, there is a lot of respect for the 'you do you' philosophy here so it's your gun, go ahead and do what you want and if you do add the sight I'd be interested, so come back and post a picture.
There's lots of good information here from a lot of folk that really do know their stuff AND they are polite and civil.
If several posters agree on something, like it would be difficult to mount a new rear sight on your handgun and not really worth the effort, you can pretty much assume they are correct.
That said, there is a lot of respect for the 'you do you' philosophy here so it's your gun, go ahead and do what you want and if you do add the sight I'd be interested, so come back and post a picture.
jetinteriorguy
New member
I could be wrong but I think you’d have to change front sights too since height wise the original sight is somewhat calibrated for the gutter sight and would probably be too short for an adjustable sight. Basically you could be opening an expensive can of worms and wind up with a gun you don’t like and would have to sell at a loss since people can tend to be reluctant to buy guns that have been messed with and are probably some nightmare you’re trying to get rid of.I have a new S&W 638. It's a great pocket gun and lots of fun to shoot. I would like to upgrade the rear sight on this one. Looks like I will need a Gunsmith for this. Any recommendations on a good sight, some type of V. Simple is better. Thanks.
I use to get into similar situations. Wanting sights that would allow me target accuracy out of a pocket gun. Think about what gun is for. I came to conclusion that I didn’t need sights at all for the mission gun was intended for. Anything extra on the gun just adds snagging
hazards.
I have done two S&W J frame 32s and finished a 1905HE that someone else had started.
This kind of work will cost big bucks. I did everything myself basically with hand tools, I had no mill. This was after I got quote from smith. I did 4” 32s that were beaters cosmetically. If I was to do another I would start with a very nice specimen, worth all the effort.
hazards.
I have done two S&W J frame 32s and finished a 1905HE that someone else had started.
This kind of work will cost big bucks. I did everything myself basically with hand tools, I had no mill. This was after I got quote from smith. I did 4” 32s that were beaters cosmetically. If I was to do another I would start with a very nice specimen, worth all the effort.