Hi all,

I have bought a second-hand 5906. It is in great condition (almost as new) except the elevation and windage screws of the adjustable sight. I'd like to replace them. Can anyone give me some pointers? Should I remove the sight assembly from the slide or not? Can I just screw out these screws given there is a spring and a plunger against them?

It seems that Brownells has the parts below.
5906 | World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Thanks!

I have noticed I can also shift the sight base left to right. So I think it's best to to disassemble the whole sight, then I can also fix the sight base.

Meanwhile I did some research and I think I more or less understand the construction of the sight. Is this correct:

- To fix the sight base I have to remove the sight assembly to get access to the screw to do so.

- To replace the elevation screw I need to remove the elevation screw spring and plunger so I need to remove the sight assembly anyway.

I do have some remaining questions:

- How is the windage elevation screw spring and plunger held in place?

- How is the leaf of the sight pushed upward? There does not seem to be a spring in the schematic beneath the leaf.

I also have some questions about the parts. Brownell's has three pages named "5906", "5906 R1" and "5906 R3". I assume the R1 and R3 variants are only the parts that are different in these revisions, since the first page has most if not all of the parts?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'd like to get this pistol back in top shape.

Thanks,

Found this very clear close up schematic of the rear sight in my Armorer's manual.....sorry about the poor quality photo. Thought it might help you with the repair.
Pressure on the sight body is provided by the spring and plunger you see at the front of the assembly. They push against the metal tab in the sight base.
The windage screw and plunger are inside a small hole in the body (head) of the screw itself, which are inside the sight body when assembled.
You are correct, the revision parts R1, R2, etc. are the changes and improvements made so the other "non-revised" parts are not listed on those pages. (Brownells)

You will want to use caution when disassembling the sight.....when dealing with the plungers under spring tension. They have a mind of their own and can fly into parts unknown. If possible, disassemble the parts inside a clear plastic bag, then, if the plungers take a hike they will be inside the bag.....not on the floor, behind the desk, etc.

Attached Images

IMG_0173crop.jpg (61.0 KB, 44 views)

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Hi, ares lagae!

You are correct in your assessments of the sight.
I want to point out that the elevation spring on the front of the sight is located above the pivot axis of the body plungers and therefore provides a downward pressure on the sight body versus the upward pressure of the elevation screw bearing against the sight base.

John

By the way, I love the S&W Micrometer Adjustable Rear Sight as installed on the all-metal Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols.
While not as streamlined or compact as the fixed sights and often deemed "unsightly" because of it's big eared base, it is an accurate, easy to use, reliable, and rugged piece of equipment.
I rarely see them damaged. (As opposed to fixed rear sights that inevitably take a beating.)
I'll admit the bigger adjustable rear sights would be out of place on the compacts, but if you're sporting four or more inches of barrel, imho, you won't see a better adjustable sight on a combat ready pistol.
And they'll make the gun shoot where you want it to.

John

Thanks for the correction John....I should not make comments on posts while I'm in the process of getting ready for work. Hurry=mistakes
(or more mistakes)

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Not so much a correction as a clarification, armorer.
You certainly provided a lot more info than I did.
Thanks for the diagram!

John

armorer951, JohnHL:

Many thanks for the clarifications! In fact, I only now fully understand the functioning of the sight. I did not realise that it was the sight elevation screw spring that was pushing the sight *down* (I was looking for a "missing" spring that was pushing the sight up).

I was also confused by the fact that the sight base screw is drawn above the sight while it actually sits below the sight (I can see it when I pivot the sight up) and by the fact that the sight elevation screw is drawn below the sight (not sure why, maybe because you cannot remove it from above).

Is the armorer's manual available in PDF?

Thanks,

I think the manuals are only available to those who attend the armorer schools.....I'm sure copies are probably floating around the internet somewhere though.

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer