S&W Model 41 Rear Sight Dovetail

Greetings, I am looking at putting a reflex sight on my 41 and there does not appear to be a rear dovetail sight mount listed by EGW (who, I consider makes most of these mounts) or BME mounts.  However, both EGW and BME make a reflex (Docter, FF3, etc) rear dovetail mount for the M52 - which has a rear sight dovetail that fits some 41's.  Having done some research on the topic, it appears S&W put multiple rear sights on the 41 along with holes for scope mounts on the barrels - depending on the year(s).  Mine has no scope holes drilled and the rear sight appears to be a Keng, it is a mid 1980's vintage 41 based on the serial number (from the internet). 

I have a M52-2 (made in the early 1990's) to compare against.  I know it's an obscure question and somewhat convoluted since S&W made (I think) about five variants on the rear sight configuration. I may decide it's better to get another barrel assembly than try and figure this out.  Does anyone know of a source for this type of information, or have contact information with S&W to try and answer the interchangeability of M41 and M52 rear sights before doing trial-and-error attempts?

Thanks,
Stan

can you get the tips of a dial caliper in there to  measure the dovetail with the sight still attached?

Greetings,

The S&W Rear Sight has the same part number for the Model 52 and Model 41 5 1/2" Heavy barrel.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks.  I noticed the rear sight on my 41 has a hex set screw which appears to secure the sight in the dovetail.  After dosing in Kroil, I expect it should come off fairly easily.  I ordered an EGW S&W M52 (#49309) rear dovetail sight mount. 

When the mount arrives, I'll try it and report how tough it is to install.


Edit: The rear sight was fairly easy to remove.  The hex set screw was loosened then the assembly (particularly the dovetail) was doused in Kroil.  After setting for some time, the rear sight was loose but took a small piece of wood and a 6 oz brass hammer to drift out in the direction of the set screw.


Edit II: The EGW 49309 (S&W M52) sight mount dovetail fits my S&W M41.  However, the sight mount requires some (non-dove tail) material removal to prevent interference with the barrel.  It's close, but does not quite fit.  Then again, the mount never claimed it would work for a M41.  Still, it's not too much work to modify the mount.

Here is what the modified EGW S&W M52 mount looks like on a S&W M41.  It turned out the front of the mount needed to be milled down 0.020" (could have used 0.025"), the back 0.010", and the dovetails needed to be filed a bit.  I think this S&W 41 uses a tapered dovetail for the rear sight. 

I'll see how this FF3 reflex sight works out.  Part of my goal for doing this (maybe goofy) change was so I could try out the reflex sight but not alter the gun.  That was achieved and I now understand why EGW doesn't claim their mount works for a M41.  Still, I think it looks OK.



I used Casey's Aluminum Black on the mount after machining.  This mount may make a good project for powder coating or trying Cerakote.