Frt. Sight Visibility VS Magna-port

[oldhenry]

I may be wrong but it seems to me that any sight you put near those magnaport slots is going to get smoked and be just like what you have.
That gun might be a good candidate for a red dot sight.

You may be right. I did examine the sight on my GP100 (3" SS). the fiber tube is on top & is shielded completely on the sides by metal. I think something like that would have a chance of working.

I'm just not a Red Dot guy & would prefer just wiping the front sight between reloads over the RD. I think they are great for some people, but not for me.

[Valley-Shooter]

I have a 629 with factory Magnaports and an orange front sight. I only shoot cast boolits through it.
The front sight gets covered with grey soot as I'm shooting. Never really bothered me. I can still see the front sight. I just keep shooting.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

[Groo]

Groo here
At one time You could get plastic rods cut to fit the front sight dove tail..
Just cut a piece file to fit, tap in with glue on it, then file as needed.
Many colors were made even glow in the dark and brass..
A second type was a liquid with hardener and a dam.
Put dam on sight, mix liquid , pour in slot , let harden , file to fit.
Last , there is some Light charged paint[?].you could paint on.[do WWW search.]
Ps , Magnaport does not reduce kick,or climb associated with kick.
It reduces rotation of gun [saving web between thumb and trigger finger]
I have many ,some cant be shot without it. [ 45-70 hand canyon by SSK]
The thing is, If you shoot reduced loads It will not work well.
Needs full up loads.[where you need it anyway] like a brake...

[oldhenry]

Groo,
I agree (in theory) that the MP would be more effective with full power loads & I also think (my opinion only) that the longer bbl. length would make it more effective due to the lever principle. However: I may be wrong (I often am).

I just checked Brownells & they still catalogue the epoxy type kit with several (I think 5) pigment additives. The price is $60.00. They also have the type you described that has several different color sheets that you must cut to fit & glue in place @ about 1/2 of the liquid kit.

I do appreciate your additional comments.

Henry

[murf205]

Thanks for this valuable information.

I see you're in the "Dead center of Alabama". I visit the Barber Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham often: the largest in the world.

Regards,
Henry

Brings back some fun memories doesn't it?

[Rapidrob]

Just a thought, have you tried a cleaner burning powder? Bullseye,Unique and Red Dot are just nasty BBQ Grill crud out of a ported firearm.
I'd give PB Powder a try as it is one of,if not the cleanest burning powder ever made.

[oldhenry]

Just a thought, have you tried a cleaner burning powder? Bullseye,Unique and Red Dot are just nasty BBQ Grill crud out of a ported firearm.
I'd give PB Powder a try as it is one of,if not the cleanest burning powder ever made.

PB was once my most used powder. It worked in .38 spec., .45 ACP, .44 spec. & .45 Colt. It also has low muzzle flash (useful in an IPSC night match).

However: they must have ceased making it. I'm unable to find any anywhere. If you know of a source, I'd be interested.

Now, I find WST to be the cleanest burning. HP-38/231 is OK also.

[oldhenry]

Brings back some fun memories doesn't it?

It sure does. My 1st. bike was a '51 Matchless G80 500cc single. Most people have never heard of a Matchless: Barber has about 10.

[gunther]

Meprolight makes an insert that will replace the red plastic. Tritium white dot. I don't know how it would be affected by the magna ports.

[oldhenry]

Meprolight makes an insert that will replace the red plastic. Tritium white dot. I don't know how it would be affected by the magna ports.

Thanks for the heads-up. I checked their web site (kind of confusing & was never able to get anywhere with their "contact" point.....computer would lock-up every time).

Amazon had some info. BTW the entire set was priced conservatively. From the reviews it seems that the S&W front is pinned in place (not very clear). Most agree that installation is difficult + all guns shot 6"-8" high after install. I wish I had an underside view & I could tell more about it.

[country gent]

Not truly traditional on a handgun but there used to be spring loaded hoods for rifles maybe one of those fitted to the front sight. It would protect the sight from blast, and also glare

[country gent]

Not truly traditional on a handgun but there used to be spring loaded hoods for rifles maybe one of those fitted to the front sight. It would protect the sight from blast, and also glare

[M-Tecs]

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-397-1451.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...791-48933.aspx

https://rifleshooter.com/2019/02/smi...t-replacement/

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...rt-replacement

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smi...otos-tips.html

[oldhenry]

Not truly traditional on a handgun but there used to be spring loaded hoods for rifles maybe one of those fitted to the front sight. It would protect the sight from blast, and also glare

I tried some plinking loads for the .45 Colt cylinder today with WST (4.8 gr. WST with Lee 230TC). The soot from the MP was greatly reduced. I could get 15-20 shots off before wiping it down. The Testors paint doesn't adhere to the red insert area as well as the metal area. If I could get it to stick to the insert, I'd just refurbish the Testors occasionally.

[jrayborn]

Informative discussion. I've always been interested in magnaport.