Tim
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2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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I picked up my new-to-me 629-3 this evening and am trying to install a set of LPA fiber optic sights that I bought for it.
One of the main reasons I sought out this particular model S&W was because of the quick change front sight - only a few of the pre-lock models have this feature. I REALLY want FO sights for those dawn/dusk shots on deer and hogs, and as my eyes get older I just find them all around easier to use.
So...I get home from the FFL and get right to work. That's when the fun ensued...
Uh oh...this doesn't look right.
Well...function over form, right? The screw holes line up with the factory D/T scope mount holes, so we'll just deal with it looking goofy.
NO GO! The rear most hole isn't threaded properly...none of the screws from the LPA package mate to this hole. The same screws work in all of the OTHER screw mount holes on this 629 and the 625 (see below). So, I'm okay with the aesthetic of that gap in front of the sight base, but not so much with only having 1 screw mounting the thing.
So, I toss everything back on the bench and go pour a good measure of bourbon. Whilst embibing, I decided that I'd try the sight set on the 4" 625 .45ACP in the safe. I had told myself last week that if I liked the LPAs on the 629, I'd go ahead and get a set for the 625 anyway.
The 625 also has that quick change front sight and has been sporting an SDM green FO front and the OEM white outline rear. Easy-peasy process to pop that front sight off, replace with the LPA and swap out the rear for a nice set of green/red FOs on the 625. Looks great! The front is about 0.090" taller than the SDM it replaced, hopefully the different rear sight accommodates.
So...now I have this SDM green FO front sight that WAS on the 625 lying on the bench. Might as well toss that on the 629 since I really cant stand the red ramp front sights. And, the green FO front alone is a good improvement for low light conditions.
Easy peasy, right? Both guns have the same sping loaded quick change front sight, the LPA sight swapped easily between both.
NOPE! It seems they re-engineered the plunger dealio at some point. The SDM sight has a super long FO pipe for extra light gathering, which is a great idea except it doesn't allow enough angle to seat in the 629!
FML. All I wanted was a sweet old S&W .44 to carry around the woods. =) Back to the search!
One of the main reasons I sought out this particular model S&W was because of the quick change front sight - only a few of the pre-lock models have this feature. I REALLY want FO sights for those dawn/dusk shots on deer and hogs, and as my eyes get older I just find them all around easier to use.
So...I get home from the FFL and get right to work. That's when the fun ensued...
Uh oh...this doesn't look right.
Well...function over form, right? The screw holes line up with the factory D/T scope mount holes, so we'll just deal with it looking goofy.
NO GO! The rear most hole isn't threaded properly...none of the screws from the LPA package mate to this hole. The same screws work in all of the OTHER screw mount holes on this 629 and the 625 (see below). So, I'm okay with the aesthetic of that gap in front of the sight base, but not so much with only having 1 screw mounting the thing.
So, I toss everything back on the bench and go pour a good measure of bourbon. Whilst embibing, I decided that I'd try the sight set on the 4" 625 .45ACP in the safe. I had told myself last week that if I liked the LPAs on the 629, I'd go ahead and get a set for the 625 anyway.
The 625 also has that quick change front sight and has been sporting an SDM green FO front and the OEM white outline rear. Easy-peasy process to pop that front sight off, replace with the LPA and swap out the rear for a nice set of green/red FOs on the 625. Looks great! The front is about 0.090" taller than the SDM it replaced, hopefully the different rear sight accommodates.
So...now I have this SDM green FO front sight that WAS on the 625 lying on the bench. Might as well toss that on the 629 since I really cant stand the red ramp front sights. And, the green FO front alone is a good improvement for low light conditions.
Easy peasy, right? Both guns have the same sping loaded quick change front sight, the LPA sight swapped easily between both.
NOPE! It seems they re-engineered the plunger dealio at some point. The SDM sight has a super long FO pipe for extra light gathering, which is a great idea except it doesn't allow enough angle to seat in the 629!
FML. All I wanted was a sweet old S&W .44 to carry around the woods. =) Back to the search!
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