So I tried to adjust the rear sight elevation on my 1958 model 41 today and the screw must have been seized or something because the screw driver slipped and i kind of mangled the screw. Doh!

Anyway, does anyone have a reference that explains how to disassemble the rear sight in case I can find a replacement elevation screw?

Also, would a 1958 elevation screw match the current production elevation screw that is available on Numrich etc..?

Also, for the record, i will be buying a set of gunsmith screwdrivers and soaking the sight in kroil!

Good move on the Kroil. The best I can do for you is I have 3 41's 1979, 1982 and 1985 and
the screw is the same on them.
Heck I would give Smith a call, they might even give you one. They gave me 3 springs for my mags no charge.

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From the "Notable Thread" sticky at the top of this forum:

Model 41/52 Reference Material

Click on the first article and there is an exploded diagram of the pistol.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

A lot of parts in that sight, any idea how to go about taking it apart?

Just called Smith and they are sending me a new nut and spring. Thank you! Now just hope it is a match and figure out how to crack into it!

Brownell's has a schematic you can zoom in on, if it will help:

Model 41 Sights

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Any ideas out there how to remove and replace this elevation nut?

This sight is one of the earlier ones, and looks to be mounted via a slot machined into the barrel rib. From what I can see in the schematic mentioned in my first post, the elevation screw, like the windage screw, has a spring detent that needs to be removed.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

So any idea what I would have to do to get to the detent and remove the nut? Or are you saying I would have to remove the whole sight from the slide first?

I wish I could help you out here, but I've no experience with this type of sight. On the revolver, the windage screw is actually turned out until it breaks, allowing the removal of the detent and spring, screw, sight blade and nut, but of course that necessitates replace of the screw with a new one. Hopefully that is not the case with your elevation screw.

Due to the Labor Day holiday in the states, I believe forum traffic is down. Wait a a few days for some of the Model 41 regulars to return and hopefully someone will be able to explain the process you need to go through. Better to do that than to bugger something up on this gem of a firearm.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

My 1958 year M41 unscrews and comes out with the spring inside of the Hold down screw. Once its out far enough the spring comes out and likes to go on a flying trip so be careful when you lift it up as they do fly very quickly. I never totally remove all of the rear sight from the gun but add oil or some form of Kroil to the site at this time.

So you can just unscrew the elevation nut and it come off? No need to remove the entire sight? Boy that would be nice!

That is correct. Just lift it up in a forward motion towards the front of the barrel is all I have ever done with mine.