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Old 10-21-2014, 12:35 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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Default Possible to adjust sights on Governor?

My Governor is consistently high and left with 45 Colt. The rear sight is fixed, but the front is in a dovetail. Can the front sight be replaced with a taller unit to bring the POI down a bit?

What would I use to push the front sight to the left to correct POI?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Mike
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Old 10-21-2014, 11:51 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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You push the front sight the opposite direction that you want the group to move.

A brass drift and a hammer works.
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Old 10-22-2014, 12:43 AM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WR Moore View Post
You push the front sight the opposite direction that you want the group to move.

A brass drift and a hammer works.
I am sitting here scratching my head on this one. Are you sure?

What about different heights of front sight blades? Would S&W have those? If not, are they available elsewhere?

I have a sight pusher for a SIG P-series, but I don't know if I can rig it to push the sight on the Governor.

I guess I could bang on it with a hammer and punch. I am just a bit squeamish about banging on it like that.

Mike
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Old 10-22-2014, 03:47 AM
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Barrel needs to be trapped when you "bang" on it with the brass drift punch and yes it needs to move in the opposite direction. If you want to move the group right the barrel needs to move right so the sight has to be moved to the left so that to center it you move barrel right. Haven't got a clue if the make a higher front sight or why they even made the Governor except that people buy them.

Standard practice to move the point of impact on fix sight guns is to strike the barrel with a heavy Babbitt bar. Tapping over a dovetailled sight is nothing.

Last edited by steelslaver; 10-22-2014 at 03:49 AM.
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Old 12-07-2015, 06:26 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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I want to "revive" this post because I never got a resolution on this. I have called S&W and they do not offer different heights of front sights. I cannot find another sight with the same dovetail dimensions.

Does anyone know where I can find a taller front sight that will fit?

Thanks in advance.

Mike
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  #6  
Old 12-07-2015, 09:21 PM
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Well you could silver solder a piece of stainless steel or brass to the top of the existing sight for that silver or gold bead effect or a machinist could make you one over height and you could file it down a bit at a time till it gave you the right elevation. All a machinist would need is the current sight to make a higher copy. For that mater you could make a one one yourself with Patience, a vice, caliper and some good files. Its only a small piece of steel.

Last edited by steelslaver; 12-07-2015 at 09:24 PM.
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Old 12-07-2015, 11:15 PM
Biggfoot44 Biggfoot44 is offline
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Or shoot a lighter weight bullet.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:47 AM
gnystrom gnystrom is offline
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How much "high" is the impact?
Where are you holding on the target?
At what distance are you shooting?
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Old 12-08-2015, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Biggfoot44 View Post
Or shoot a lighter weight bullet.
This is correct. A lighter bullet creates less recoil plus travel s faster spending less time in the barrel. As the gun recoils the barrel moves up. So less recoil and barrel time means lower point of impact. Also, a stiffer wrist and firmer grip will lower impact as the barrel will move up less.

My 500 has a 8 3/8 barrel and a scope. My rounds strike considerably lower on the target than my lady's do.
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Old 12-23-2015, 01:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gnystrom View Post
How much "high" is the impact?
Where are you holding on the target?
At what distance are you shooting?
Impacts are 2-1/8" high and 1.5" left at 10 yards. This is very consistent no matter the ammo or how heavy or light the bullets are.

I measured the stock height of the front sight to be approximately 0.15". I calculated I need a sight that is about 0.18" tall to correct point of impact to point of aim.

I hold the "standard" sight picture that I have always used. I cut the "bullseye" in half with the front sight, and of course I center the front sight in the rear notch and keep the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear.

Mike
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Old 12-23-2015, 01:34 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver View Post
This is correct. A lighter bullet creates less recoil plus travel s faster spending less time in the barrel. As the gun recoils the barrel moves up. So less recoil and barrel time means lower point of impact. Also, a stiffer wrist and firmer grip will lower impact as the barrel will move up less.

My 500 has a 8 3/8 barrel and a scope. My rounds strike considerably lower on the target than my lady's do.
I think, due to the consistency of my groupings, that I would prefer to adjust the sights rather than my grip. The ammo does not make a difference. 200 grain or 250 grain go to the same place.

I shot a 8-3/8" 500 S&W. I shot two shots through the same hole at 10 yards, centered in the bullseye. I would like to be able to at least hit near the bullseye with my Governor.

Mike
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Old 01-04-2016, 02:08 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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Nobody has a source for a different front sight? Anyone? Anyone?

Mike
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  #13  
Old 01-06-2016, 04:11 PM
gnystrom gnystrom is offline
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No offense but I don't consider the Governor to be a target/range gun. I don't know the size of the bullseye is you are shooting at, but personally, I would just hold a bit lower. As you know a grooved rear sight picture will look totally different to nearly everyone who shoots with them. Fixing the left or right impact is easy.

Have you had anyone else confirm your impact pattern?

Last edited by gnystrom; 01-06-2016 at 04:12 PM.
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Old 01-07-2016, 09:25 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gnystrom View Post
No offense but I don't consider the Governor to be a target/range gun. I don't know the size of the bullseye is you are shooting at, but personally, I would just hold a bit lower. As you know a grooved rear sight picture will look totally different to nearly everyone who shoots with them. Fixing the left or right impact is easy.

Have you had anyone else confirm your impact pattern?
No offense taken. If it had fixed front and rear like my S&W snubnose 38s, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It is the fact that it can be fixed that makes me want to fix it. And... it shoots farther away from my point of aim than my 38 snubbies.

The groups it prints are tight enough to warrant a sight adjustment if I can figure out how.

Mike
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Old 01-07-2016, 10:51 PM
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Remove the front sight and have a welder tig weld a bead down the top of the front sight blade then carefully file and sand it to match and reblue it.
If you can't find somebody to do it PM me. I can do it.
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:01 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver View Post
Remove the front sight and have a welder tig weld a bead down the top of the front sight blade then carefully file and sand it to match and reblue it.
If you can't find somebody to do it PM me. I can do it.
Can you actually weld on a night sight? I thought the heat would cause problems with the lamp vial.

Mike
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Old 01-25-2016, 05:14 PM
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Did not know you had a night sight.
  #18  
Old 02-10-2016, 02:56 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver View Post
Did not know you had a night sight.
I could be wrong, but I thought they all had a night sight in the front.

I am still trying to find a cross fit between the Governor and another pistol. Someone on here suggested that the front sight from an M&P pistol (model not specified) might be the same front sight. I would sure like to verify this and know what models use the same front sight.

Mike
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Old 09-16-2016, 12:43 PM
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I still have found no resolution to this issue. Does anyone know if the front sight from another S&W pistol will also fit the Governor?

Thanks in advance.

Mike
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Old 09-17-2017, 11:14 PM
Vortec MAX Vortec MAX is offline
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It's been about a year, so I guess it is time to bump this again. Anyone know if the front sight on another S&W pistol will swap out with the Governor?

Mike
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  #21  
Old 09-17-2017, 11:39 PM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
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If you send me the sight, I can make you a taller one that will fit. I can do black or fiber optic, no tritium. You will have to tell me how tall you want it.
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Old 03-04-2023, 08:28 AM
smokin dew smokin dew is offline
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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Default Governor sight questions

I've read most of the comments on how to fix the front sight, would it be easier and practical to install a rear adjustable windage and elevation sight?

Last edited by smokin dew; 03-04-2023 at 08:34 AM. Reason: Spelling
  #23  
Old 03-04-2023, 08:47 AM
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Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor? Possible to adjust sights on Governor?  
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OP used to stop by yearly for an answer to this question. Protocall_Design offered a fix but OP hasn't been here for 5 1/2 years, or on the site for 3 years. Thread closed.
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