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Replacing a S&W Rear Blade????
- Thread starter rjksx1
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
To replace the S&W blade, you need a blade KIT. This includes the blade, a new windage screw and the tiny nut that locks the screw in place.
You HAVE to have the complete kit, the blade alone won't do.
You can get the kit from Brownell's Gunsmith Supply.
You will need to order the correct kit for your model AND barrel length revolver, since these blades are different heights for different models and barrel lengths.
You may want to remove the sight from the frame.
To do this, USE GUNSMITH'S SCREWDRIVERS. The screws are tiny, and fragile.
Remove the front screw completely, then slide the sight rearward and out of the small dovetail cut in the frame.
For tools, you will need:
A good gunsmith's screwdriver that properly fits the rear sight windage screw.
(DO NOT try this with a standard-type screwdriver, you will damage the sight or burr the screw head, making it difficult to get the screw loose).
A larger center punch WITH A ROUNDED OFF POINT.
A small hammer.
A small brass or copper "anvil"
To disassemble the sight for a blade change, it's necessary to BREAK the windage screw.
This is the way S&W designed the sight, so this IS the correct procedure for a change
Use the screwdriver to turn the windage screw counterclockwise until it stops turning.
When the screw stops turning, apply more turning force until the windage screw breaks, or shears.
(The factory windage screws have a weakening notch in the screw shaft, that allows the shaft to shear in half).
Again, DO NOT try this unless you have the proper screwdriver, since it takes some force, and the wrong driver will tear up the head instead of shearing the shaft.
Once the screw is broken, move the screw head out of the sight base, by tapping it lightly on the bench.
BE CAREFUL, under the head portion is a tiny spring and plunger. Tap the base just enough to move the head out where you can get a grip on it.
Push out the staked end of the windage screw and nut, then unscrew the sight blade.
To replace the new blade, clean the sight assembly throughly, and apply a good lube to all parts.
Thread the new windage screw fully into the new sight blade, then insert the tiny spring and plunger into the hole in the side of the base. (Be sure it's lubed).
Depress the tiny plunger and insert the screw and sight blade into the base.
Use a small pair of tweezers, a S&W sight spanner, or a small screwdriver with a notch in it to turn the tiny windage nut onto the windage screw until it snuggly contacts the sight body. Then back it off 1/4 turn.
Use a larger center punch WITH A SLIGHTLY ROUNDED OFF POINT to stake the nut in place by flaring the end of the windage screw.
To do this, place the head side of the windage screw on a brass "anvil" and lightly tap the end with the rounded punch and a small hammer until the end flares. This locks the nut onto the windage screw.
Test the windage screw for free movement.
If the windage screw head is damaged and you can't shear it, you can use a small drill to drill the flared end of the windage screw until the nut comes free.
You HAVE to have the complete kit, the blade alone won't do.
You can get the kit from Brownell's Gunsmith Supply.
You will need to order the correct kit for your model AND barrel length revolver, since these blades are different heights for different models and barrel lengths.
You may want to remove the sight from the frame.
To do this, USE GUNSMITH'S SCREWDRIVERS. The screws are tiny, and fragile.
Remove the front screw completely, then slide the sight rearward and out of the small dovetail cut in the frame.
For tools, you will need:
A good gunsmith's screwdriver that properly fits the rear sight windage screw.
(DO NOT try this with a standard-type screwdriver, you will damage the sight or burr the screw head, making it difficult to get the screw loose).
A larger center punch WITH A ROUNDED OFF POINT.
A small hammer.
A small brass or copper "anvil"
To disassemble the sight for a blade change, it's necessary to BREAK the windage screw.
This is the way S&W designed the sight, so this IS the correct procedure for a change
Use the screwdriver to turn the windage screw counterclockwise until it stops turning.
When the screw stops turning, apply more turning force until the windage screw breaks, or shears.
(The factory windage screws have a weakening notch in the screw shaft, that allows the shaft to shear in half).
Again, DO NOT try this unless you have the proper screwdriver, since it takes some force, and the wrong driver will tear up the head instead of shearing the shaft.
Once the screw is broken, move the screw head out of the sight base, by tapping it lightly on the bench.
BE CAREFUL, under the head portion is a tiny spring and plunger. Tap the base just enough to move the head out where you can get a grip on it.
Push out the staked end of the windage screw and nut, then unscrew the sight blade.
To replace the new blade, clean the sight assembly throughly, and apply a good lube to all parts.
Thread the new windage screw fully into the new sight blade, then insert the tiny spring and plunger into the hole in the side of the base. (Be sure it's lubed).
Depress the tiny plunger and insert the screw and sight blade into the base.
Use a small pair of tweezers, a S&W sight spanner, or a small screwdriver with a notch in it to turn the tiny windage nut onto the windage screw until it snuggly contacts the sight body. Then back it off 1/4 turn.
Use a larger center punch WITH A SLIGHTLY ROUNDED OFF POINT to stake the nut in place by flaring the end of the windage screw.
To do this, place the head side of the windage screw on a brass "anvil" and lightly tap the end with the rounded punch and a small hammer until the end flares. This locks the nut onto the windage screw.
Test the windage screw for free movement.
If the windage screw head is damaged and you can't shear it, you can use a small drill to drill the flared end of the windage screw until the nut comes free.
Last edited:
Dfariswheel
New member
MODIFICATION TO THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS:
I mistakenly told you to unscrew the elevation screw when removing the sight from the frame.
Don't do this.
Just unscrew the front screw and slide the sight base rearward and off the frame.
Underneath the base is a small square nut that slides into the dovetail in the frame.
I mistakenly told you to unscrew the elevation screw when removing the sight from the frame.
Don't do this.
Just unscrew the front screw and slide the sight base rearward and off the frame.
Underneath the base is a small square nut that slides into the dovetail in the frame.