I just rescued my 329PD from consignment purgatory.

One thing I don't like about the gun are the factory sights ... the V notch idea is ok but the square rear of the front sight blade causes me some headaches.

I think I'd like to replace the factory sights with a front ramp (black, not red, preferably) and rear notch (flat black, no white outline) set. Because of the vague-ish elevation for getting the "fire sight" bar in the bottom of the notch, I'm not really sure if the current sights give me a good way to guestimate what height ramp to get nor what height/width of rear notch.

Has anyone made this swap? What did you wind up using, and is it ideal or do you think higher or lower is better?

Tom

I have had a couple of these, and on the last one I bought some patridge style sights from Smith and Wesson and had them installed. Made the gun MUCH easier for me to use and hit with. I had the front sight pinned AND soldered as these things create lots of stress on many parts. Here is your first big and REALLY IMPORTANT tip. Remove the cylinder latch screw, add some semi permanent loc tite and then replace. That screw will come a-flyin out really soon without that treatment. Then as soon as is possible, disable the frame lock. These are great guns, I hope to have another when my finances are back in order, but they do require a little tweaking to be ideal, IMO.

I found out a few years ago that I can�t hit anything with the V rear/ rounded HiViz front combination. I have had to change it on several guns to a black serrated ramp and a square notch rear. It is always easiest with the quick removable front sights, but with the pinned sights it can be done at home if you are careful.

I have the same gun but in .41 Magnum...357PD...and had a set of Meprolight night sights installed...they are OUTSTANDING to say the least...







Bob

A 329PD to me is a lightweight defensive pistol that when needed will be needed with some speed. The factory sights match that need, so I'd be reluctant to switch it to a slower bullseye or slow-fire configuration.

I've got the round, bright green front and the "V" notch rear on my 317 Smith. The one thing that really stands out with this combination is it's ability to be seen in bad light. Probably not as precise as the red insert front/white outline rear that the Smith 29 introduced, but it does show up even better.
Therefore, I suggest you try it in the field if it's a field gun. E

You can try this trick - it helped me S&W329pd Sights

Really? Not in this lifetime.

I used mine for potting small game and saw it as much more than merely a short range defensive gun. I was actually pretty proficient with it on the 100 yard gong and similar so the sight upgrade made my 329PD more useful, to me. YMMV

I would just like to find a V notch rear sight blade. The idiot space chick I talked to at S&W would not send me one because it wasn't made for my 629 Mt Gun. No matter how I tried to explain to her that it didn't matter. I might try to call again, but might be better off finding an after market.

"Oh, you're right S&W Lady, the sight is for a M329. I was confused, thanks for straightening me out. Will you send me the sight now?"

No kidding! but after I said 629 nothing would help.

You can get the blade and installation kit from Brownells...

Bob

Bob,

Do you happen to have the product number? If not I will just start searching.

Keith

Catalog 64 Page 285

078-003-004 .160 height

078-003-005 .196 height


Instalation Parts Kit #1

078-001-001

MagnaTip Spanner

080-431-000

Rear sight staking punch

080-000-090

thank you

U R welcome....