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Old 07-23-2011, 10:04 AM
Jeepster1 Jeepster1 is offline
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Default Elevation Nut Removal-686

Okay. I would like to replace a buggered stainless rear sight elevation nut on my recently purchased 686 (no dash). I have read the threads about removing that nut. QUESTION: how do you get that tiny clip off the nut? Is there a special technique for that? I know, once the clip is off you gotta be super careful about the plunger and spring flying away. I can handle that but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get that clip off! Thanks for replies.
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Old 07-23-2011, 07:49 PM
dfariswheel dfariswheel is offline
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The clip is called a "circlip".

The Kuhnhausen shop manual shows using a dulled Exacto hobby knife blade as a tool to pop it off.
Put your thumb over the elevation screw housing to prevent loss of the circlip.
To replace it, you put the clip over the tapered end of the elevation screw and push it down in to position with small needle nose pliers.

Basically, you dull an Exacto blade enough that it can't cut you and use the edge to pry the circlip down out of the groove.

It might help to put the sight into a plastic baggy and work inside the bag. That way if/when the circlip escapes control it'll get trapped in the bag where you can find it.

This is one of those picky, tiny jobs that can be testing until you figure out how to do it.
Until then, you're liable to wind up half in the bag yourself from aggravation.
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Old 07-23-2011, 08:08 PM
Jeepster1 Jeepster1 is offline
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Thanks, Dfariswheel- I got it off this morning, and, you guessed it..... it ******* LAUNCHED into outer space, never to be found. Dang, and I was being 100% super careful not to let that happen. But, it did, and I'll be calling Brownells first thing Monday morning to order another clip. Oh well, I got it off and next time I do this, I will know what to do. Weird, but all of the postings I discovered on this web site about this project, everyone was 100% cautious about the plunger and spring. NO ONE!!!! worried about that little clip. Nobody replied to my posting here, so I figured not much to think about. Live and learn......... Jeepster
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Old 07-23-2011, 10:07 PM
tomcatt51 tomcatt51 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepster1 View Post
Weird, but all of the postings I discovered on this web site about this project, everyone was 100% cautious about the plunger and spring. NO ONE!!!!
Maybe because the posts you were reading were about the WINDAGE screw and nut and sight blade and spring and plunger?
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Old 07-23-2011, 10:24 PM
ken158 ken158 is offline
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Jeepster - if you are talking about the spring clip under the rear sight adjusting screw - I have a few and if send me a PM with your address and I will send you one.
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Old 07-24-2011, 10:44 PM
Jeepster1 Jeepster1 is offline
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Ken158- Thank you. I'll just get the clip from Brownells or some other place. You are a kind-hearted soul. Jeepster
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Old 07-26-2011, 12:00 PM
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H Richard H Richard is offline
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Another tool that is useful is a dental pic. The sharp point and curved tip assist in the removal. I am pretty sure Brownells sells them also.
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Old 09-18-2017, 07:54 AM
MangoBango MangoBango is offline
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I tried the dull exacto method and it did not work for me. The blades kept breaking. I ended up finding a TINY flat blade screw driver that fit under the clip and pried it up and off. Thankfully I was working with the sight inside of a clear plastic bag, otherwise that clip would be in orbit right now.
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Old 09-19-2017, 02:09 AM
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BLUEDOT37 BLUEDOT37 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomcatt51 View Post
Maybe because the posts you were reading were about the WINDAGE screw and nut and sight blade and spring and plunger?
No idea which ones he was reading but the elevation nut also has a plunger & spring.

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S&W Rear Sight assembly - exploded diagram

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Old 09-19-2017, 04:21 PM
cahotshoe cahotshoe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MangoBango View Post
I tried the dull exacto method and it did not work for me. The blades kept breaking. I ended up finding a TINY flat blade screw driver that fit under the clip and pried it up and off. Thankfully I was working with the sight inside of a clear plastic bag, otherwise that clip would be in orbit right now.
I always keep a one gallon zippy bag handy for these projects. Even just small parts that can fall out. Once they are on the floor, to my eyes, they are gone forever.

I had the detent plunger launch from a 1911, thought it had just fallen. Even took off my shoes thinking it might have gone there. Weeks later found it across the room a good 10 feet away. In the bag, pull out safety, pin hits bag, all good.
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