I have a S&W K-Comp (Model 19/K Frame) with a replaceable front sight. The one that comes with it is all blacked out with a single tritium vial.

I'm looking for a new front sight suggestion or sight set. I can do some minor smithing, but I'm no Bill Wilson...

Any ideas?

Similar to the way Ruger mounts its front sights. The proper size punch is the key to swapping it out. I would guess Smith makes a sight for it like the old "red ramps" that was often on the target models. Only drawback to that might be exposing the insert to blast and heat from the comp.

Is there an intended use? I suppose a dab of ‘sight paint’ won’t cut it?

I went with the “High Viz” sight on mine. I couldn’t see the factory front sight very well at all.

One thing I learned on a Ruger LCR is that the sight blade can be drilled at the same time as the base, as a manufacturing operation. This allows a pin to be dropped in perfectly aligned. When I replaced the blade with a hi-viz green, the holes did not line up. It was no fun. The punch has to have not only the right diameter but the right tip configuration, to avoid mushrooming the pin. A pistolsmith rubber block to support the barrel is also required. Be careful with the blue finish as you pound mercilessly on the pin to drift out and back in. The amount of force amazed me.

There are some good suggestions above...

To drift that sight retaining pin out, you'll be wise to get a roll pin set...Harbor Freight, cheap.

The next problem is that S&W generally sells their front sight replacements without the hole drilled, and, too, it's not a 1/16" pin either, on the two that I have done. You'll need to get the proper size numbered machinist's drill bit (#54 IIRC) ... get a cpl while you're at it, as they're easy to break off.

Lastly, getting the hole drilled in the replacement sight blade, using the hole in the sight base for alignment is a royal PITA, but can be done. I ended up drilling mine from both sides rather than attempting to do it in one pass, from one side. It worked out ok, but getting that alignment right takes some time.

Good luck, it's not a project for the timid. Rod

I like Patridge front sights with a gold bead: http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Gold%20Bead.htm

Dawson has a full line of replacement front sights. Dawson even offers different widths so you can go thin or wide fiber depending on your preference. I like a thin fiber front and blacked out factory rear on mine.

quote:

Originally posted by wacopolumbo:
I went with the “High Viz” sight on mine. I couldn’t see the factory front sight very well at all.

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How does the comp effect the fiber-optic?

None that I noticed. The comp is slightly ahead of it. So far, so good. I inserted the sight and marked the hole location then drilled the hole in the sight on a drill press. I used a roll pin punch to removed and install the pin.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
One thing I learned on a Ruger LCR is that the sight blade can be drilled at the same time as the base, as a manufacturing operation. This allows a pin to be dropped in perfectly aligned. When I replaced the blade with a hi-viz green, the holes did not line up. It was no fun. The punch has to have not only the right diameter but the right tip configuration, to avoid mushrooming the pin. A pistolsmith rubber block to support the barrel is also required. Be careful with the blue finish as you pound mercilessly on the pin to drift out and back in. The amount of force amazed me.

I recently replaced the factory sight on my Ruger SP101 327, with a XS standard dot tritium sight. Using a cheap 1/16" punch that often bent, I got the existing pin out and sight removed.

My real fun began when I went to drill the XS sight, and the tiny drill bit broke. Went to the other side with another 1/16" drill bit, that broke too. Fortunately, enough was left outside for me to pull it out with pliers.

Went to Lowes and bought a quality set of pin punches by Kobalt and quality 1/16" drill bits, came home and finished the job.

I just ordered a LCRx 327 and in the future plan to replace the sight. I'm glad I read your report, was hoping it would be easier than on my SP101.

Do not buy cheap punches and drill bits unless you really want to screw up.

When I swapped out my LCRs sight, the replacement I used was pre-drilled, making the process a lot easier.
Cant recall who made the sight now.