I have a pinned, recessed, top strap checkered 27-2. It appears to be in great shape and was well cared for. Problem I'm having is adjusting the elevation on the sight. The adjusting screw will move about an eighth clockwise/counter clockwise and thats it. Windage will turn fine full revolutions in both directions.

I'm hesitant to use any force on the elevation screw. Any suggestions to help me figure this out?

with the proper screwdriver, take the small screw that holds the end of the sight to the topstrap out.
Slide and remove the sight from the gun and investigate on the underside. I'd guess that it is dirty and gunked up. A good cleaning should fix you up.

FAQ's

Go to post #3 in this thread........theres a good picture for you. I'm guessing your elevation nut is froze

Get a small can of liquid wrench, prop the gun securely in the upright position, apply Liquid wrench 2 drops to screw. Let sit over night, work the screw back and forth one click, and it may come loose. you may also want to try slightly loosening the front screw that holds the sight to the top strap.

Finally got around to working on this problem.

I removed the tiny front screw and was able to push back than lift the sight from the top strap. It was pretty clean under there but I loaded it up with CLP and scrubbed it down.

I learned the elevation screw works off of a square plate that also locks the site spring under a milling at the back of the top strap.

It looks to me that the elevation screw should be the male end and the square bottom piece the threaded female that would allow for the adjustment screw to raise or lower the sight. Is this correct?

I oiled up this area and wiped it down.

When not installed on the gun the adjustment screw turns freely and "clicks" on the detent or whatever that acts as the register for the sight. The bottom block also turns as though it is one piece with the adjusting screw.

After cleaning I reinstalled the sight to the top strap and the sight is still bound up. I've removed it to let it soak in oil overnight.

I'm not going to muscle the part too much in fear of breaking something. Any thoughts on what to try?

Had the same problem with a nickel 34 that I bought. Kept a drop of penetrating oil on top of the screw for a couple of days and gently trying to work the screw back and forth. After several days it broke free and started working correctly.
Appears your "bottom block" has the screw frozen/rusted into it. While you have it off you could grip it with a pair of pliers and gently try turning the elevation screw with a correct driver.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

Thanks for providing some optimism. I'll let it soak and keep working the screw gently while trying to hold the block.

Still stuck, still soaking, still gently trying to break it free.

Sometimes a "hot wrench" is the only thing that will break it loose. I would place the "nut" in a vice & heat it with a small torch, or even a butane lighter, while trying to turn the screw. If that doesn't work it's time to order parts.

I have a 27-2 with an 8 3/8th barrel. I was unable to adjust the rear sight screw any further because it was flush to the receiver. All of my 125 gr loads were at about 1300 fps were about 4-6" inches high at 25 and 50 yards. Sent it off to SW and they installed a new front sight because the old was "obsolute". I'd be curious to hear from others if they were spot on target at 25 yards with factory 158 gr loads or if the were on the target bull with 125's at either full power loads or factory loads out of a 8 3/8th inch barrel or if they were on the bull at 50 yards.

This is the gun



Its pretty well cared for and I'm hesitant to use heat or similar just yet.

I have only shot it once or twice. The adjusting screw will turn about an eight or so left or right. To loosen the adjusting screw from the base I'm using "lefty loosey, righty tighty". This isnt reverse thread is it?

Guess I wasn't clear. I meant to heat the "nut" removed from the gun. You will need to hold the nut to keep it from turning, either in a vise or with a tool. It needs to be repaired, if that won't do it, breaking the screw & nut , then replacing them with new parts may be your only solution. Good luck with your project.

You were clear sir,

I expect that you meant use the heat on the part when the sight assembly was free of the gun.

The sight is fine checkered and I'm not sure that is easily replaceable (not that it would have to be unless I screw it up). I'm pretty confident I can heat the bottom block without getting too much transfer to the sight. I'm just not ready until its a last resort.

I'd expect it will take little expansion to break whatever corrosion is binding the sight up.

I chickened out (used my brain for once) and sent the sight to S&W to have them fix it.

Got a call from Wayne Goodwin as I travelled through the Big Dig Tunnel under Boston that my sight was fixed and on its way to my house (almost missed my exit but some quick Boston Driving got me back on course).

I tried to give a cc number to charge for repairs/postage but was turned down. The firearms industry seems to be the last bastion of "We built it, we stand by it."

Yes pmc, delete

Thanks for follow-up and Happy ending!