I had the same problem with a used 617 no-dash I got a good deal on...perhaps its why I got a good deal. Called S&W and they sent me a shipping tag and I returned it on their dime and got it back with (I believe) a taller front sight blade. I forgot how long it took, but a couple of weeks at worst. You have a great gun that came out of the factory with a problem. Get them to fix it.
S&W 617 shoots high
- Thread starter KingArthur
- Start date
To measure the rear sight height, screw it all the way out on the left side but do not break off the cross bolt, just enough to be able to get a caliper on it to measure the overall height. I would think the blade height on a 17 would be the same also. I'm not home now so don't have access to my guns or I would measure for you.
OP
KingArthur
Member
I am gonna check it
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 8,020
- Reaction score
- 7,101
The rear sight blade on the S&W Micrometer click rear sight will not just "come off," and removal results in breaking the windage screw as the nut is staked in place. If it is removed, take great care not to lose the tiny springs and detents. Re-installation will require a new windage nut and screw and the two pronged tool and the staking tool, along with a good bench vise and appropriate padding and non-marring hammer, etc. I only point this out so you don't do something to damage your gun unintentionally.
I forgot to mention that sometimes adjusting your point of aim may make a difference. For example, are you using a 6 o'clock hold?
Good luck.
OP
KingArthur
Member
The rear sight blade on the S&W Micrometer click rear sight will not just "come off," and removal results in breaking the windage screw as the nut is staked in place. If it is removed, take great care not to lose the tiny springs and detents. Re-installation will require a new windage nut and screw and the two pronged tool and the staking tool, along with a good bench vise and appropriate padding and non-marring hammer, etc. I only point this out so you don't do something to damage your gun unintentionally.
I forgot to mention that sometimes adjusting your point of aim may make a difference. For example, are you using a 6 o'clock hold?
Good luck.
I did use the 6 0'clock hold along with the rear sight all the way down and that was better.
OP
KingArthur
Member
I measured the rear sight and it is .140
So...My front sight is .165 and rear is .140 and it's shooting high.
What rear would I try?
So...My front sight is .165 and rear is .140 and it's shooting high.
What rear would I try?
Last edited:
I didn't reread the whole thread, but I don't recall you ever providing the distance you fired from. Without that we can't do the geometry. Tom C (above, reply #10) calculated you need a 0.035" change presuming the distance was 25 yards and you have an 8" sight radius. I suspect error in your measurement or the corner of your blade slopes or is rounded a little. I think the 0.146" height Tom C posted is its advertised size. That makes the shorted available blade, 0.106" the best choice.
DanWales
Member
Gold Sight
Here's the SDM sight page.
Sight Correction Calculations
There is a sight calculator there.
If you are uneasy about what to order or installation I would take it to a Smith.
I will vouch for how sweet the gold sights are. They are like a beacon to me.
Dan
Here's the SDM sight page.
Sight Correction Calculations
There is a sight calculator there.
If you are uneasy about what to order or installation I would take it to a Smith.
I will vouch for how sweet the gold sights are. They are like a beacon to me.
Dan
OP
KingArthur
Member
I was shooting only 7 yards.
OP
KingArthur
Member
The groups was great... I didn't really pay attention to the grouping because I was satisfied with that. I spent most of my time trying to bring the group down.
But as they mentioned in previous post...it could be ammo related.
S&W doesn't make rear blades low enough to correct your elevation problem because there'd be very little notch left if any. If you're sure it's not operator error then it's time to send the 617 back to S&W for a free warranty repair.
TexasRider
Member
All the guys here have you pointed in the right direction.
22's and their ammo is an unusual situation sometimes.
Here is a story, but with 22 rifles. Well meaning guys had given me 22 ammo over time as a present etc. Some of it was Federal, some of it was Match style etc. I just put it in the storage box as I shoot either the Winchester match or the Remington Green box 22's. Interestingly the Remington Green boxes of 50 shoot fairly well in about every thing I can remember trying. The bulk 22 Remington is suppossed to the be the same ammo - but I have had a LOT more failures to fire, jams, and inaccuracy with it. Somehow I think the boxed rounds have a bit more QC, but that is just my hunch.
Anyway, I had probably 5000 or more of those new rounds and I took it with me to the range to give away. There was a Granddad and a couple of his grandsons on the rimfire range. I offerred it to them and explained that it was a gift that I dont use, etc. But I told him it probably wont shoot to the same POI in your rifles here. They accepted the new ammo, but did not believe the POI too much. 22 ammo is 22 ammo was his thought.
I went on and shot and later walked back over to see how they were doing. There were three groups with three different ammos on the targets - ALL about 8 inches from each other. Yep, Granddad said " You are RIGHT. I never knew this before."
You may very well need a new sight. But you also might find an ammo that works well inside the adjustment range of your 617 too.
I would look at what your LGS or store stocks that you can regularly buy.
But now you know why those dedicated rimfire target shooters find the one that works and order a big volume of them from the same production lot number.
22's and their ammo is an unusual situation sometimes.
Here is a story, but with 22 rifles. Well meaning guys had given me 22 ammo over time as a present etc. Some of it was Federal, some of it was Match style etc. I just put it in the storage box as I shoot either the Winchester match or the Remington Green box 22's. Interestingly the Remington Green boxes of 50 shoot fairly well in about every thing I can remember trying. The bulk 22 Remington is suppossed to the be the same ammo - but I have had a LOT more failures to fire, jams, and inaccuracy with it. Somehow I think the boxed rounds have a bit more QC, but that is just my hunch.
Anyway, I had probably 5000 or more of those new rounds and I took it with me to the range to give away. There was a Granddad and a couple of his grandsons on the rimfire range. I offerred it to them and explained that it was a gift that I dont use, etc. But I told him it probably wont shoot to the same POI in your rifles here. They accepted the new ammo, but did not believe the POI too much. 22 ammo is 22 ammo was his thought.
I went on and shot and later walked back over to see how they were doing. There were three groups with three different ammos on the targets - ALL about 8 inches from each other.
Yep, Granddad said " You are RIGHT. I never knew this before." You may very well need a new sight. But you also might find an ammo that works well inside the adjustment range of your 617 too.
I would look at what your LGS or store stocks that you can regularly buy.
But now you know why those dedicated rimfire target shooters find the one that works and order a big volume of them from the same production lot number.
Last edited:
OP
KingArthur
Member
I am going try this one more time. Maybe I was having a bad day or something. I want to try some CCI's but it's sad that all the ammo at the LGS and walmart are gone.
Honesty, I don't think any change of ammo is going to make that much difference at seven yards. Just won't happen. Shoot it again and have a friend shoot it also. If you both get the same results (shooting high), send the gun back.
I agree.
The issue that I related above about my 18-7 was confirmed with 50 yard shooting.
