[douginamherst]

I bought a S&W 638 last week and it will be my daily carry gun once I get my permit. I took it to the range today and shot it for the first time. Very nice to shoot. Comfortable and accurate.

The only problem I had was finding the front sight in the notch. My eyes are not too good and had trouble finding it since the notch and front sight are all dull silver in color. I have a S&W 686 with the orange insert in front sight. Can something like this be added? Other suggestions?

Thanks,

Doug

 

[TWO GUNS]

Paint the front site yellow or red.

 

[mkeBob]

Try an inexpensive nail polish in a bright red, pink or light green. You can always clean it off if you don't like it.

 

[P95Carry]

http://www.smartcarry.com/ - Charlie Parrot who is the owner keeps for sale, or used to - ''Brightsights'' paint - I got some in green, orange and red - works well if area prep'd fully to degrease - and anyways - not hard to reapply if needed.

 

[Redneck Repairs]

I have seen red plastic ( screwdriver handle pieces ) dovetailed into the sights of j frames , personaly i thing the paint is more practical lol

 

[frankmako]

you don't need to see the sights on a j-frame. it is not a target gun. it is made for close up defence, not long range. 5 yards and in, all you need to do is point and shoot. i carry a s&w model 60 as my "bug" on duty and i don't use the sights. on "q" days i point and shoot the gun untill we get to the 25 yard line phase. then i use what sights the j-frame has.

 

[johnisaly]

Doug -
On my Taurus CH mod 85 (same basic revolver except has a concealed hammer) I used Birchwood Casey Super Bright Touch Up Sight Pens. Available at gun stores. Puts a nice Red fluorescent paint on the front site. I also put their flat white paint on the rear site for contrast. It wears well, and really makes the sights usable.

I also recently bought a Smith 638. I will use this same sight paint on it. I have also ordered a set of Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips to complete the package.

 

[HighVelocity]

I use Testors bright red model paint. It works well. I intend to put an XS big dot night sight on my 649. I have the big dots on a couple of 1911's and a P245 and as far as I'm concerned they're the best thing going for tired eyes.
It's like a pie plate on the end of the gun. You cannot miss it.

 

[mstarn]

Second the Testors Red Model paint. Works great and last a long time. Besides the cost is great. Yes, very easy to pick up the front sight. My wife and I, both, use it on our revolvers.

Mark :smile:

 

[Rob72]

Another fan of Testors- save that I mix up a drop of Devcon 2 ton epoxy, and put a toothpick-administered drop or two of the paint into the epoxy (after mixing, before application). Seems more resistant to abrasion and some solvents.

 

[8-Ball]

you don't need to see the sights on a j-frame. it is not a target gun. it is made for close up defence, not long range. 5 yards and in, all you need to do is point and shoot. i carry a s&w model 60 as my "bug" on duty and i don't use the sights. on "q" days i point and shoot the gun untill we get to the 25 yard line phase. then i use what sights the j-frame has.

I beg to differ... I can put 3 out of 5 within 2" at 25 yards with a 638. It is that accurate.

 

[ELCruisr]

Another fan of Testors- save that I mix up a drop of Devcon 2 ton epoxy, and put a toothpick-administered drop or two of the paint into the epoxy (after mixing, before application). Seems more resistant to abrasion and some solvents.

You can go even further with the epoxy system if you want. There are epoxy pigments available is many colors. One small can would last a lifetime! You mix the epoxy up then add the pigment and apply. Impervious to most solvents when cured and very abrasion resistant.

 

[BlueLion]

With a J- frame, you have to practice because in reality you should never find yourself shooting one long distance in any CCW situation. The J-frame is used for up close and personal business. This is how most attacks take place. This is where the J-frame shines. I carry a 637 and feel pretty good with it.

 

[DizTbone]

+1 for Testor's enamel...I use blaze orange...applied with a toothpick.

I will have to remember that tip about using epoxy as hardener.

Michael

 

[Garg]

Could any of you post a pic of your "paint job?

 

[P95Carry]

Sorry - not J frame but this is my R9 with Brightsights paint used - it seems to have help up pretty well. The pic is very slightly enhanced - as the dots and front sight do not have quite such clean edges - but you get the idea.

 

[snowdoctor]

i point and shoot my 642. I have Crimson Trace grips and they take care of most sighting situations, But I tend to agree with Frank Mako. 642 or similar is a close range point and shoot gun. With practice it becomes pretty easy.

 

[Blackhawk6]

you don't need to see the sights on a j-frame. it is not a target gun. it is made for close up defence, not long range. 5 yards and in, all you need to do is point and shoot. i carry a s&w model 60 as my "bug" on duty and i don't use the sights. on "q" days i point and shoot the gun untill we get to the 25 yard line phase. then i use what sights the j-frame has.

...I tend to agree with Frank Mako. 642 or similar is a close range point and shoot gun. With practice it becomes pretty easy.

Point and shoot is all well and good unless, of course, in the process of defending yourself or your loved ones you need to deliver a precise shot. Then the sights would be invalueable and anything that improved my ability to see them would be greatly appreciated.

I rarely carry a J-frame, so I will defer to those who carry them on a more regular basis with regard to the manner in which they are best employed. I will say that given handgun calibers are relatively poor at incapacitating people and that there is virtually universal agreement that shot placement is paramount, were I using a firearm with a fairly limited capacity (5 rounds), firing the weakest of the service calibers (.38 special) out of an extremely short barrel (1 7/8"), I would want to be as accurate as possible with every shot. That would seem to indicate using the sights whenever the circumstances allowed.

 

[sheepdog]

I just know that if I have time and can pick USE the sights or DON'T use the sights, I want to USE them. Point shooting is fine if you are close enough and can, but I figure they put sights on for more than just resale value. There was a LENGTHY thread over on the S&W forum about how to make J-stainless sights show up. I wish I had bookmarked it. There were lots of great ideas of various price ranges, but right now my black Marks-A-Lot on the serrated front sight works okay. Guess I need to try out some of the paints though, so the back sight could benefit too.

 

[Jungle Work]

As a young LE Officer in the first 15 years of my career, I used Appliance White Paint, its an extra hard enamel, and paint the back of the front sight, serated side. I tapped the sides so it would look nice and not slopy.
The white paint will pick up and reflect light and give you a better sight picture especially at night. And the Appliance Paint will last months and months, not just one day.
It worked for me.

Jungle Work