[SamD]

Hey everyone. I'm interested in upgrading the sights on my 686 pistols.

The 686-5 (top in the photo) has factory front (pinned black blade) and factory rear that MUST go.

The 686-1 (bottom in the photo) has Meprolight True-Dot sights front and rear, which I'm ok with, but considering something different.

What do you use; why do you like them; where did you by them?

Thank you!

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I personally think you downgrade when you replace S&W's OEM sights.

 

[SamD]

I personally think you downgrade when you replace S&W's OEM sights.

I can't pick them up very well without, at a minimum, a white outline on the rear and a white bead up front. The newer 686 has a black blade up front and all black rear sight - I can't find it with my deteriorating eyesight.
The older 686 (686-1) I changed to Meprolight's True-Dot front and rear. In daylight, I see two white dots rear and a single up front. In low light, they glow a green color, so they're easier for me to pick up.

 

[azguy]

White paint and a tiny brush

 

[ShooterGranny]

White paint and a tiny brush

I use Gatopardo's Glow-On, original color. It gets super bright when you shine a light on it for even a short time, and outside in the sun it is WOW. It takes time and patience to get the small dots thick enough (3 to 4 coats) and keep them round, but it is worth it. After the paint is "Just right" I let it cure for 2 days and then cover it with a coat of clear nail polish and I have really sharp, bright sights for years to come.

Here is one I just did. It came with fiber optic vials but they were so tiny that I could not see them when shooting indoors, so "Glow-On" here we come! This picture is before the final coat of the Glow-On and before the clear nail polish. It is sitting on the desk drying, so the dots haven't been "charged" with bright light yet. Since the picture was taken sort of looking down on the gun, you can see the red read vials, but they don't show when you get the gun up and aimed.

On the sides are two other guns I did at the same time. They came with plan black rear sight and tiny fiber optic front. Total cost for all 3 guns was $16.

 

[Rule3]

This stuff??

What is Gatorpardos?? (that's an Italian restaurant!)

Glow-On

Glow-On Super Phosphorescent: Hi density glow-in-in-the-dark paint, Main uses: Gun sight paint, scale modeling, glow art. Is ready to use. Non radioactive, non flammable, non toxic, enviromentally safe. Water proof and superior adherence, use on metal, glass, plastics, wood.

glow-on.com

 

[SamD]

White paint and a tiny brush

I'm not so good with a paint brush... :-(

 

[SidecarFlip]

Put a Partridge front blade on them and be happy.

 

[ShooterGranny]

This stuff??

What is Gatorpardos?? (that's an Italian restaurant!)

Glow-On

Glow-On Super Phosphorescent: Hi density glow-in-in-the-dark paint, Main uses: Gun sight paint, scale modeling, glow art. Is ready to use. Non radioactive, non flammable, non toxic, enviromentally safe. Water proof and superior adherence, use on metal, glass, plastics, wood.

glow-on.com

YES - that is the right product. There are a lot of phosphorescent paints, but this is the only one I've used and it works great.

gatopardo is the screen name the owner of Glow-On used when he was a sponsor on several forums. Now he sells through Amazon, EBay and through his own web site. On EBay his vendor screen name is el-gato-pardo.

 

[ShooterGranny]

I'm not so good with a paint brush... :-(

You do not use a brush. There is a wooden stick/applicator that comes with your vial of paint and also detailed instructions. I have found that an old fashioned flat wood toothpick can sometimes provide the really tiny dots, but it's a matter of learning as you go. AND having a lot of patience and a steady hand.

I have serious focus problems with my eyes also, but I can concentrate and get good results. But, as with a lot of other products, it won't work right if you do not follow the instructions exactly, and that includes having the surface totally clean, including a final cleaning with rubbing alcohol. I use the 90% strength.

For the few dollars involved, and the fact that I have enough left in the smallest size bottle to do at least 6 more gun sights - or whatever else - compared to purchasing new sights and the work of installing them, for me this is a real winner.

I have no connection with this man or his company. I just like his product a lot.

 

[cueguy]

The revolvers I use in competition (USPSA, IDPA and ICORE) are all set-up with Bowen Rough Country rear sights (plain black blade) and fiber optic front sights - both red and green, but I favor the green. Sights were sourced through my gunsmith. Bowen makes sights for the pre-drilled Smith frames (round front-tang) and square-tang for the older, not pre-drilled frames - must be drilled by the installer. Definitely an upgrade over the OE sights.

Just a guess but I'd wager my eyes are worse than yours - maybe older too.

cueguy

 

[SamD]

The revolvers I use in competition (USPSA, IDPA and ICORE) are all set-up with Bowen Rough Country rear sights (plain black blade) and fiber optic front sights - both red and green, but I favor the green. Sights were sourced through my gunsmith. Bowen makes sights for the pre-drilled Smith frames (round front-tang) and square-tang for the older, not pre-drilled frames - must be drilled by the installer. Definitely an upgrade over the OE sights.

Just a guess but I'd wager my eyes are worse than yours - maybe older too.

cueguy

I'll look into those. Thank you!

 

[rock185]

Sam, FWIW, I sometimes use a narrower front sight or wider rear notch to give more daylight around the front sight. Makes it easier to pick up and align for me. I like the factory S&W adjustable sights. I have used them for a very long time, and even had them installed on a couple Hi Powers back in the day. I use more than one type of ammo, and appreciate being able to sight guns in, rather than put up with "close enough', Kentucky windage, or having to find some one particular type of ammo that might shoot to the POI that I want. If I felt the need to have more visibility, I would prefer to just change the front to whatever type that worked best, unless some appropriate aftermarket adjustable rear could be fitted. YMMV