Hello,

I am the proud owner of this new 629 and I have been out several times shooting and getting the feel for it. Loading for it also and I have taken to loading much lighter loads. Much more fun shooting the mild 240 grain plated bullets.

So, here in my issue. At 30 yards, I am able to get it to hit in the center of my target but to do so, I have had to adjust the rear sight all the way to the right.

New Gun!

In addition, my extractor rod is loose and I have to keep hand tightening it.



What do you guys recommend?

Bill

I've had the same problem with a couple of my older Smith revolvers with having to move the rear sight a long way right. As for the extractor coming loose, this is a common thing, try using a pair of padded pliers to tighten it a bit more.

Well, I guess that I could get used to it. I can tighten the extractor. Just seems like the rear sight is way the heck over.

Bill

I bought a used revolver that had the sight run WAY over and up, and the guy said he was sick of the "defective gun." I shot my usual range loads and adjusted the sight to shoot dead on at 15yds. I had to lower the sight and move it considerably toward the center to get it right for me.
I don't have a clue what his problem was, but having shot bullseye for decades, I don't think it was the gun. I don't worry if a sight is not centered exactly; that's why they call it adjustable.

__________________
Science plus Art

Looks like (from your pics) you have a canted (under-clocked) barrel. Unfortunately it's an all too frequent problem. I have a couple with that problem but my 686 is the worst, about like your's.

You can call S&W to have it sent back for repair. Mine's not going back unless some other more serious issue comes up with it.

.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

Do your self a favor go to Brownells web site and buy the special tool for the extractor rod. Bubba uses pliers.

I never owned a handgun where the rear sight stayed centered. For me, the rear sight is usually moved to the right a small ways. It's not the gun, but, the shooter. When moving the S&W rear sight, don't go too far or you will snap the threaded rod and have to replace the sight.

Thanks for the responses. I am going to keep shooting and see what happens. I am familiar with sight adjustments on rifles and handguns. That rear sight seems at the limits of adjustability. I am still working on loads that I like and I might find one that has a point of impact that will allow moving that sight back toward the center a few clicks. I will send it back if it starts to really bother me.

Bill

I have experienced a similar issue with the rear sights on some of my S&W revolvers but, not all. For me it turns out it was how I gripped that particular revolver and what type of grips were on that specific gun.

I don't have the problem as much with a 1911 grip but, the S&W target grips and some of the "over sized" rubber grips cause me to grip the gun differently. I have to pay attention and make sure that I hold the gun the same way every time but, that is just how it works for me.

The N frame guns obviously have a larger grip and the trigger is farther from the backstrap than on smaller frame guns. It is quite common then to not quite get the trigger finger to pull straight back and push the gun to the left when pulling the trigger. This may or may not be happening to you. It really could be the barrel is not quite at top dead center as that also seems to be common these days. :-)

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I am hearing that it might be me. I hear you. I will shoot this gun and work on my trigger control and grip.

Bill

I tighten ejector rods by gripping them in the chuck of my Milwaukee drill then turning the chuck by hand.
Always chamber a few empty cases to prevent unwanted strain.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Don't assume anything is wrong with the sighting unless it shoots 'way left when the sights are centered with all loads, for whoever shoots it and for however it is held. Different loads can shoot to the right or left just as they can shoot high or low, and the way a handgun is held can dramatically affect POI. I have a friend who owns a Highway Patrolman with a rear sight he has adjusted to the far left in order for him to hit center. When I shoot it, it shoots far to the left!

As for the ejector rod -- all I do is check for tightness regularly (as I do with all the other screws on any revolver) and give 'er a twist when it gets loose.

__________________
Pisgah

Have you had anyone else (skilled shooter) fire a few rounds from your gun?
If a couple others have, and they get the same result, I would be prone to call S&W. I refuse to own any gun with the rear sight pushed over to one side or the other assuming it is not just me as the shooter.
If it is just you the shooter, look into different grips which will have an effect on left right shot placement.

This training chart is useful in determining if the shooter is the cause:

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Don't forget that there are left-handed and right-handed shooters correction charts.
I make photocopies of these charts and use them as targets.
It's simpler to look into the scope after each shot and try to remember what I did wrong (or what I did right.)

Ideally, a gun could be zeroed in using a Ransom(e?) Rest and then go from there.

__________________
NFA CSSA CCFR (Canada), NRA

my observation is, that hotter or milder loads cause side differences much more than in height (at 25 meters).

My new Thunder Ranch .45 had to go back to S&W to have the bbl turned and a lower front sight installed. Now it shoots to poa.

I see the barrel slightly canted to the right.
To compensate you move the rear sight to the right. If my brain is working...

Get it fixed or shoot it that way.

Thanks for the advice.

Low post count on this forum does not mean limited shooting experience.

Gun does shoot way left when rear sight is centered. (Consistently)

Shoots tight group 7 inches left at 30 yards when sights are centered.

I believe the barrel is canted to the right.

Going to contact Customer Service on Monday.

Bill

I have a used 29-3 that I got in Jan. It consistently shoots to the left as well. I switched from the nice wood target grips to some rubber Hogues. This helped some but still shot left. I now have the sight way to the right and it is almost right on. I know some is me but I think some is the gun.

.

You got it. With it under-clocked (as seen from the muzzle) the front sight will be canted toward the right (as seen from the rear). When you align the front & rear sights the barrel will now be slightly angled to the left, which accounts for the OP's grouping. Adjusting the rear windage to the right will center group, provided the cant isn't too severe & you have enough adjustment in the sight.

If the OP was to take a picture from the muzzle, looking down the barrel's rib, you'd better see the misalignment where the barrel threads into the front of the frame.

.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

Here are two taken from the front.


Bill

My buddy had to return his .44 Performance Center twice for the same problem. It was a poorly aligned barrel. First time S&W tried to straighten it...second time they replaced the gun. Try a small drop of blue loc-tite on the ejector rod. it shouldn't need constant tightening-or needed any tightening from the factory if it was new.

This is never a good idea. If you properly tighten the ejector rod, no thread lockers are needed.

Bruce

/\ +1 /\

.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

Contacted customer service this morning.

Shipping label arrived shortly after I got off the phone.

Update to come.

Bill

Bruce is right. Do not use loctite . Use a proper tool and be sure you put a couple of empty cases in opposite charge holes when you do tighten it. Do not use pliers! A good way of tightening it if you do not have a tool is to use a drill chuck that is clean and in good shape. Put a piece of masking tape on the ejector rod and snug the chuck onto the rod. Use the chuck like a wrench to hand tighten the rod. Good idea to TAKE THE BATTERY OUT OF THE DRILL FIRST. If the chuck is clean and in good shape, it will not damage the ejector rod. I have a tool but typically use my lathe chuck in the shop to do the same.

Also, it appears your barrel is under clocked. This puts the top of the front sight over to the right requiring the rear to be adjusted to the right to properly target the gun.

Taj,
I made note of the extractor rod in my letter to Smith and Wesson. Ten years ago I attended a S&W armor course that was job related. Seems like we had a tool that had two prongs that fit into two of the cylinders and a handle. We wrapped the extractor rod in a rubber pad and used hand strength to loosen and tighten. Been ten years so I might be wrong. I will never use "locktite". Perhaps my service rep will take a moment to correct that also. If not, I will follow you suggestion. Seems like a good method. I have high hopes that the gun comes back right. I do not like seeing the rear sight hanging off to the right side by a few threads just to get a center mass hit. While researching the topic, I have seen all types of stories about expectable amounts of barrel cant. I can only hope that my gun returns and the problem is corrected. My past "official business" interaction with S&W with department weapons was always top notch. The Armor course was some of the best training I have ever had. Time will tell with my 629. I have high hopes.
Bill

Update,

Been traveling in Utah last few weeks. 629 returned from factory. I have not inspected the gun yet but my wife opened the box and read the letter from customer service.

Performed service:
Evaluated / Repaired
Adjusted Barrel alignment
Repaired Sear
Replaced Sights
Tighten Strain Screw
Replaced Trigger

I am surprised at the long list of items repaired and replaced when my main complaint was "barrel alignment" and shooting left.

Trigger was not impressive but I figured that was just how it was. So, I will return home in a week and inspect closely. At this point, I feel satisfied based on the long list of work performed and that they addressed all of the issues.

Good Job Smith and Wesson!

Bill

I just bought a new 4 inch 629 it is doing the same thing, rear sight needs to be adjusted way to the right. Any soulutions?