Looking into options for replacing the sights on a 686 with a 6" barrel . Looked at some but not sure if they will fit or not . Need something bright , low light conditions , home defense at night . Any suggestions are appreciated .

Great topic, i have the same dillema.

 

I know cylinder and slide makes a fixed rear sight that fits K-frame Smiths, they use it on the night guard series when they were making them.

A tritium front sight is the place to start. Ultimately, you may want to replace the rear also. Dawson Precision makes a .230" high x .125" wide front sight for pinned in blades. Measure the height of your front sight to see if this will suffice. If you have a "Classic" or "DX" model 686, the front sight blade is easily changed. For a pinned-in blade a gunsmith will be required.

 

I used to think night sights were the solution - now I'm not so sure that there is a problem. My thinking has changed somewhat to the employment of a good flashlight - remember you have to identify your target first, and you aren't going to do that by the glow of a tritium sight.

 

Tru-Glo sights are an impressive idea (tritium vial behind a fiber optic rod), but I have heard and read reports that they don't hold up well - not the glow, just a general fragility.

 

Fiber optics are great for competition in well lit environments - anything other than that, they are the same as a plain blade.

 

JMHO

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

I used to think night sights were the solution - now I'm not so sure that there is a problem. My thinking has changed somewhat to the employment of a good flashlight - remember you have to identify your target first, and you aren't going to do that by the glow of a tritium sight.

 

^^^ This should be engraved into the frame of every firearm intended to be used for self defense.

 

Night sights can be useful in certain lighting conditions and I have them on a few firearms, but IMO, a good flashlight is the best answer to your request.

Is there a flashlight made to mount on the 686 regular? It's not a plus , pro or dx . Thanks for the replies .

I've never tried but in the dark a flashlight lights the intruder. Wouldn't your sights be dark still? I always figured both would be the way to go

If your target is lit, your sights will be very black on the target. If the target is back-lit, your sights will disappear on the target. Night sights are OK in some low-light conditions, but optimumly a target lit with a flash light is best.

 

Bill, you should have shot the DEC match at Somerset - low light/no light and you would have seen for yourself.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Is there a flashlight made to mount on the 686 regular? It's not a plus , pro or dx . Thanks for the replies .

 

1 answer Duct-Tape, ive seen it many times on a revolver