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.

3" high at 30 ft. is perfect if you're talking a 6 o'clock hold on a 6" bullseye. The reason the different loads don't change is there isn't enough resolution at 30 feet - you're too close. What it does at 25, 50, and 75 yards is more important. Unless you discover a problem farther down range I'd leave it alone.

It’s still climbing at 25 yards. The gun isn’t a paper puncher, it’s for trail use, so I’d prefer poa and poi to coincide. The various loads are also close at 25 yards. At 10 yards, the groups are small enough to show differentiation, if it’s there.

Old70

I don’t know why this is so hard for Ruger. I got a new model Blackhawk in .45 Colt about a year ago. Shot way high like yours. Only way I could get it near the bullseye was with 180 grain bullets which sure isn’t what I bought it for. My gunsmith charged me an hours worth of his time to build and install a new patridge site that actually works.

For the same reasons your 45 probably has tight, inconsistent throats, and
many have the barrel screwed so tight there is a barrel construction.

Most costumers won't notice.
They have never had competition in the SA business,
So those who care just buy a Ruger and fix the F ups.


Ruger is in business to sell guns.
Not to make the best guns they can.
Proper throats, barrel constriction and sights that will work
with the most popular loads for the gun aren't much to ask.
Or expensive for them.
$10/gun? Maybe?
Not even a per gun thing.
Engineering and tooling.

You could contact Jack Huntington in Nevada or Andy Horvath in Lagrange OH.

Thanks to all those who recommended smiths. Andy Horvath was on my short list, is he still at Diagonal Road?

Old70

Dave Clements did mine. Don't know if he is retired now.

Kinda fugly , but works great. Colt 22 Magnum.Originally a buntline, had a bent barrel. Replaced it with a 4 5/8", but shot way too high, even with rear sight adjusted to max. Took a piece of steel and some files,shaped it and installed a couple set screws. Right on with most loads at 15-20 yds.