Gunsmithing Looking for a top end Smith for an old Smith.....

[powdahound76]

A gentleman I attend church with wants to find a top end smith to install new sights on an old S&W model 68.
Apparently there were a few made with just a notch for a rear sight for off duty carry by LA cops.

This is a rare piece.

He has no kids to pass his sizable and premium collection on to. I offered myself up for adoption!

Im working on getting him to leave it be instead of destroying it’s value by machining it to install sights.
Says he cant see to old sights well enough to shoot it anymore.

Told him I would inquire with the brain trust here and get back with him. Hopefully following up on my word will give me some leverage to convince him to leave it be.... even if I cant get ahold of it, its too cool to mess with.

@sirhrmechanic - you know all sorts of interesting folks.

 

[GH41]

I am no S&W expert but they made a 681 with fixed sights for the M&P that isn't rare at all. Has he tried to shoot an adjustable sighted S&W? Chances are he won't be able see them either. If he does it he may also have to install a taller front sight. If I were in hais shoes I would get me an adjustable sight 68.

 

[308Gunner]

My step dad had the same issue with his, and was going to do the same thing until he found out how much it was going to cost. I let him shoot my Sig X Carry that has the fiber night sights and he just got one of those and left the smith alone

 

[Dan M]

The Model 68 was a K frame .38 Special square butt 6” barrel with an adjustable rear sight...made for CHP and LAPD from1977-1988, approx 6000 mfg, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson Firearms. If it is a fixed sight gun, it isn’t a 68...possibly mismarked (not unheard of with S&W)

 

[Dan M]

If I had to take a guess based on the off duty reference, I am thinking it might be a Model 60. Easier to conceal a 2” round butt J frame than a 6” square butt K frame.

You can find adjustable sight Model 60s...no need to mod a fixed sight gun.

 

[powdahound76]

Thanks guys.

This was info from him, I havent seen the pistol.

I just dig old cool pistols and hate to see it jacked up......

He should just adopt me.
My folks live a days drive away, so its almost like Im an orphan........

If he is set on messing it up, anyone know of a good shop?

 

[Mordamer]

It will cost at least $300 for the work and the new set of sites I bet. Why not just buy a new gun with high vis sites and save the old one as a collectable? That would be a win win in my book.

 

[Dan M]

Agreed...i was thinking after including shipping both ways you are lookkng at $400+ ...it is going to need to be shipped to someone familiar with the process like Bowen.

Sell it and get an adjustable sight revolver...or what ever you want. He would be throwing good money after bad and not be able to recoup the funds spent

 

[powdahound76]

He should just give it to me...... ?

I will offer him one with a Hillary hole as a trade and watch him go off.

I bet I can get him to drop an F bomb on church with that prank!

Thanks for the info.

I never said it was a good idea, just that I would inquire.......0