I need some advice on the removal and installation of the rear sight leaf body on my model 60-10 (adustable sight 3-incher). To make a long story short, I have had trouble getting the correct parts from S&W (and from Brownells, for that matter) to change out the slider blade in this gun. Today, I received not the new slider blade that I had requested, but instead a whole new leaf body that included the new slider blade.

Rather than send back the new leaf body, it looks pretty simple to remove the old leaf body and install the new one. It looks like all I have to do is just remove (and reuse) that one screw that sits towards the front of the leaf body. (This looks a whole lot easier that changing out slider blades in my existing leaf body.)

But before I mess with this, I thought I would consult the forum's assembled wisdom. Is there anything that I ought to know/be wary of/do before I just remove that screw in my existing leaf body?

I have already consulted my copy of Mr. Kuhnhausen't book and he doesn't address this problem. Thanks much for your help.

Make sure you've got the correct screwdriver for the job. The screw may be relatively loose or very tight. To be certain I don't damage the slot I press DOWN firmly until the screw has broken loose, that way your driver will be sure to stay where it belongs. When you install the new leaf clean the screw and hole in the frame with alcohol, acetone(any degreaser which doesn't leave a residue), place a drop of Locktite(I use blue Guntite so that the parts can be seperated if I want) on the screw and reassemble. Did I mention NOT TO USE PERMENANT THREADLOCKER?! Let set overnight to be certain the threadlocker is set up and go shooting!

To remove the entire sight, remove the screw on the front of the sight base leaf section.

Slide the sight assembly to the rear and off the frame.
On the underside of the sight is a flat, square nut on the elevation screw.
This slides into the Tee slot on the frame.
If you prevent the nut from rotating, you can simply slid it back into the Tee slot on the frame and elevation won't change.

Thanks alot, guys. i just "performed the operation" and the patient is still alive. Now I just have to get a new front screw from S&W as I still managed to bugger the screw notwithstanding Wayne's advice! It was alot tighter than I thought it would be. The head of my screwdriver was the correct length but it should have been a bit wider. Live and learn!

For the life me, I have not figured out why the factory wants to install those front leaf screws so tight. I mean tighter than holy hell. Does this front sight leaf screw really need to be this tight?

chrid

If they don't the screw vibrates loose, the sight comes off and the customer raises Hell.
Since this may require S&W to give the customer a new sight, the tight screw is insurance from lost sights.

Yep, gotta be TIGHT. And once you get the hang of changing out a blade it can be done easily without removing the entire leaf assembly.