Drill and tap SW guns

johnl

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Have a model 41 and 625 I want done. Unfortunately Murray Charlton talked me out of it a couple of years ago, now that he closed shop and I’m getting older ie, red dots etc I want optics on them. Anyone recommend a trusted gunsmith to drill and tap vintage pistols? Thanks.
 
That should be a pretty straightforward job for any decent 'smith. Peter Riedel, aka Rusty Wood ("Horsesheet" here on CGN although I don't think he posts often) is just up the street from me here in Mission and could certainly do it.

But your 625 might already be D&T'd. I just removed the rear sight from my 625-8 and mine is:

S&W 625 top strap.JPG

I neglected to measure the hole spacing but someone here will likely know . I believe thre are mounts designed for the 625, too.
 

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    S&W 625 top strap.JPG
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Do it on the barrel instead of the receiver. You're going to be using a long eye relief scope anyway, or a holographic type. Drilling extra holes in the frame??? IMHO

The rib on the barrel is easily milled to accept good clamp type mounts, or it can be drilled and tapped. I prefer the clamp on mounts, if the clamp points are milled properly.
 
You can buy mounts for those with out drilling or messing up the original guns, The older series may not have the center hole, so that one will have to be done, but on a K17, not needed, But that would be up to you . heavy hitters, you want the 3 screws.
I have a mount for weave rings, these days you can get them for red dot sights. I could dig it out and take picture in a day or so if you want to see what it looks like.
That should be a pretty straightforward job for any decent 'smith. Peter Riedel, aka Rusty Wood ("Horsesheet" here on CGN although I don't think he posts often) is just up the street from me here in Mission and could certainly do it.

But your 625 might already be D&T'd. I just removed the rear sight from my 625-8 and mine is:

View attachment 334694

I neglected to measure the hole spacing but someone here will likely know . I believe thre are mounts designed for the 625, too.
 
Guns in question is a S&W 625-3 and a 7 3/8” barrel for the 41. Murray said drilling and tapping would affect the resale value of the guns, should of had him do it anyway. Not sure who could mill the 41 barrel. I’ll scourge the internet for the non drill for the wheel gun.
 
Guns in question is a S&W 625-3 and a 7 3/8” barrel for the 41. Murray said drilling and tapping would affect the resale value of the guns, should of had him do it anyway. Not sure who could mill the 41 barrel. I’ll scourge the internet for the non drill for the wheel gun.

Far be it from me to disagree with Murray Charlton, but I doubt that D&T'ing the 625 would decrease the value much, if at all. (Can't comment on the 41.) I don't know if my 625-8 was originally D&T'd but the holes aren't visible under the rear sight anyway. I think I paid about $800 for it here on CGN around 2005-6. Now they go for $1200-1500!

But you're not planning to sell 'em anyway, right?

Wiegand makes a scope mount for the 625

"Smith Wesson scope mount WEIG-A-TINNY[SUP]®[/SUP] Remove the rear sight and install this versatile Weaver style base, scope mount in just minutes. (most revolvers mfg after 1992 are factory drilled and tapped for this scope mount)"


Are you sure your -3 isn't D&T'd?
 
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It will be drilled for 2 screws, but not 3 , but just pull the sight and have a look.
the 41 could be the same.
But I have not had the sight off a 41, with it , if you found another barrel , you could mount a base on that rib and just switch barrels.
At one time , Burris or Weaver? made a mount for the rib on a 41 smith.
Collectors just hate holes in nice guns , mind you , it is yours, so what ever , I like my red dot sights.
I had a spare Hi Standard rib for a victor and mounted a scope on that, Burris , long before red dots, when you could still buy Hi Standard parts.
Had a brain fart one time and let someone buy that one, silly stuff happens.
BTW that mount I have is a Wiegand, as Josquin mentioned.
 
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