Hi all,
As you're no doubt aware, I've been trying to sort out a sight solution for Ruger SAs, one that:
1) Is a GOOD sight setup (modern combat style, Tritium);
2) Doesn't interfere with fast hammer access the way a Blackhawk factory "rear overhang" sight does. Please don't suggest alternate thumbing methods, we're talking about what works in MY hands here.
This has been an ongoing discussion on the Ruger forum. I'm going to start with some posts by Bo Wallace of Ashley Outdoors (now called "Express Sight Systems"):
-----------
Thanks to all for their suggestions.
When we began to build sights for the Ruger line of pistols, some of them (installation wise) were no brainers that simply required going through the motions to determine what height(s) would be required to regulate each caliber correctly.
The BlackHawk and Vaquero both have proved to be a bit more difficult to do mainly in the fact that they will require moderate amounts of gunsmithing.
Good gunsmiths are hard to find. I have way to many people sending me their Glock/Sig/Kimber slides to have sights pushed into the factory dovetails to believe otherwise. So coming up with a solution that requirers the services of a master gunsmith would mean that only a few would sell.
Anyway we are still looking for our solution for these pistols and your input is valuable.
Thanks
Bo Wallace
Gunsmith
Express Sight Systems Inc.
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Jim again. In another message:
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Jim,
What the BlackHawk needs in the way of front sight installation will depend upon which of several front sight installations that your particular pistol has.
There have been pistols with:
A 1pc ramp/front sight that is screwed in place.
or
A 1pc ramp/front sight that is silver soldiered to the barrel.
or
A front sight blade that is pinned into a ramp that is silver soldiered onto the barrel.
or
One of the specialized models that uses the spring plunger retained front sights similar to the RedHawk.(we already have this one)
Whew.
The first and last ones of course will be easiest, however they are the least in the overall BlackHawk population numbers.
The pinned front models would be next largest batch being mostly stainless.
The most common version of B'Hawk out there has the 1 pc ramp/front sight unit which is silver soldierd to the barrel. This will require the heating up of the original sight unit before anything new can be installed. The heat will destroy the bluing and requiring the barrel to be reblued somewhere in the process. The added cost of this is one of the big speed bumps in doing things for these pistols.
There has to be a better way and that isn't going to bump the cost of the pistol more than $200 (which is the far end of what we have found most people will spend for sights on most handguns)and that is what we are looking for.
Bo
-----------
Jim again.
The Blackhawk is in my opinion the better starting point (versus Vaquero) for a "combat SA", mainly because they're cheaper, far more common and available in more calibers. Most have aluminum frames which reduce weight, which matters in this situation.
I think I now have a complete set of blueprints for a good set of combat sights - given the length, I'll post in an immediate follow-up.
As you're no doubt aware, I've been trying to sort out a sight solution for Ruger SAs, one that:
1) Is a GOOD sight setup (modern combat style, Tritium);
2) Doesn't interfere with fast hammer access the way a Blackhawk factory "rear overhang" sight does. Please don't suggest alternate thumbing methods, we're talking about what works in MY hands here.
This has been an ongoing discussion on the Ruger forum. I'm going to start with some posts by Bo Wallace of Ashley Outdoors (now called "Express Sight Systems"):
-----------
Thanks to all for their suggestions.
When we began to build sights for the Ruger line of pistols, some of them (installation wise) were no brainers that simply required going through the motions to determine what height(s) would be required to regulate each caliber correctly.
The BlackHawk and Vaquero both have proved to be a bit more difficult to do mainly in the fact that they will require moderate amounts of gunsmithing.
Good gunsmiths are hard to find. I have way to many people sending me their Glock/Sig/Kimber slides to have sights pushed into the factory dovetails to believe otherwise. So coming up with a solution that requirers the services of a master gunsmith would mean that only a few would sell.
Anyway we are still looking for our solution for these pistols and your input is valuable.
Thanks
Bo Wallace
Gunsmith
Express Sight Systems Inc.
-----------
Jim again. In another message:
-----------
Jim,
What the BlackHawk needs in the way of front sight installation will depend upon which of several front sight installations that your particular pistol has.
There have been pistols with:
A 1pc ramp/front sight that is screwed in place.
or
A 1pc ramp/front sight that is silver soldiered to the barrel.
or
A front sight blade that is pinned into a ramp that is silver soldiered onto the barrel.
or
One of the specialized models that uses the spring plunger retained front sights similar to the RedHawk.(we already have this one)
Whew.
The first and last ones of course will be easiest, however they are the least in the overall BlackHawk population numbers.
The pinned front models would be next largest batch being mostly stainless.
The most common version of B'Hawk out there has the 1 pc ramp/front sight unit which is silver soldierd to the barrel. This will require the heating up of the original sight unit before anything new can be installed. The heat will destroy the bluing and requiring the barrel to be reblued somewhere in the process. The added cost of this is one of the big speed bumps in doing things for these pistols.
There has to be a better way and that isn't going to bump the cost of the pistol more than $200 (which is the far end of what we have found most people will spend for sights on most handguns)and that is what we are looking for.
Bo
-----------
Jim again.
The Blackhawk is in my opinion the better starting point (versus Vaquero) for a "combat SA", mainly because they're cheaper, far more common and available in more calibers. Most have aluminum frames which reduce weight, which matters in this situation.
I think I now have a complete set of blueprints for a good set of combat sights - given the length, I'll post in an immediate follow-up.
. That's why I'm proposing a fixed rear.
