Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Old model Blackhawk shoots high, looking for a smith.

Recently bought a three screw 357 that shoots about 3” high at ten yards with the rear sight bottomed out. This is with everything from mild 38s to hefty 357 loads. Bullets ranging from 125 to 170 grains. Very consistent whether offhand or from a rest. I want to find a smith to install a higher front blade. Anyone have this done and if so, by who? Looking to have the front base grooved and a pin in blade installed.

Thanks in advance

Old70

You need a Fermin Garza front sight

It ain't that simple.

It helps at least it did with mine

Bobby Tyler

I had Ruger do that on an Old Army cap and ball revolver with the same problem. They did it at no charge under their warranty. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

Sadly if you send an Old Model in it will come back with the transfer bar and I am not sure they would replace the front sight

Thought about using Ruger, but won’t because it hasn’t been converted. I’d like to keep it as original as possible. I may give David Clements a call, he built a 44 SPL Blackhawk for me 10 or so years ago. But I’m always looking for options.

Old70

Since it appears that you're in Michigan, have you tried Williams Gun Sight in Davison?

So shoot it at 50 yards!!

I’m very close to Williams, but haven’t heard recommendations for or against. Might be worth a stop.

Old70

Old Model front sight is not pinned. So there is more work involved. Mr.Bowen did one for me on a .41 Magnum and requested the load I would be using for proper regulation of the new front sight. The new sight ended up using a ramp with a pinned blade (this provides other options at a later date). Turned out perfect. Use a good smith, it's worth the investment.

Check with Bobby Tyler at Tyler Gun Works In Friona, Texas. He does great work & fast turn around time.

Dick

Aim lower.

It ain’t that hard. Math, amazing thing, been solving problems for millennia

I think what he meant was that the front sight is soldered on so it’s not a simple change out. Unless someone sets it up in the mill and cuts the ramp for a pin in blade the old ramp will need to be heated and removed which will ruin the finish and necessitate a reblue of at least the barrel.

Yep. And that’s what I’m trying to avoid. I’ll hit Williams this weekend, and see what they have to say. If that’s a no go, I’ll try Tyler. I looked at magnaport, but they only do synthetic blades.

Old70

As long as the cut it for a standard width you can always get a steel blade to pin in. Might open up another option for you if lead times elsewhere are too long.

Yep. Reading comprehension, amazing thing...

Or file the rear sight blade shorter and deepen the notch. Replacements are cheap. Did that on a Smith 631 once.