My recent K22 outsdoorsman acquisition has a rear sight with two screws total. one up front and one toward the rear.

I am seeing pics of seeming original ones which are very close in serial # (638xxx vs 646xxx) that have an extra screw in the back end of the rear sight, a total of three?

Mfg change?



Charlie

You have the first variation, it is correct. I had a 644 thou 1 screw and a 652 thou 2 screw

Somebody once mentioned a thread about this screw-count variation, but I have never located it. I think it would have been active about three years ago, maybe just before I joined the forum.

I was told that the two different sights are distinguished as one-screw and two-screw sights based on the screw count at the rear of the fixture. The front screw is taken for granted as they all have it.

About a year ago I was told that my K-22 OD with the serial number 646390 was the lowest numbered two-screw gun known. Looks like 638xxx just took over that distinction, and if xxx in the other serial number represents a lower number, I just got bumped back to third position.

EDITED TO ADD: Or did I misunderstand what you wrote? Is 638xxx your gun with the single-screw sight?

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David Wilson

I'm guessing we're mis-using terminology. There are only 2 variations I've seen on prewar K22s (excluding the K22/40 Micrometer.) The early ones have 2 screws, the later ones 3. Yes, the front is a given, as is the rear most screw. That rear one is used for elevation adjustments.

The guns from 632,000s up into the 640,000s were the 2 screw variants. Almost all above 650,000 have 3. There seems to have been a transition period where some lower number guns have 3 and a few higher ones still have 2. We've all assumed the 3 screws got the extra one to help hold things in place. Don't exclude the possibility of some of the 3 screw guns with lower numbers were retrofitted if they had a problem.

The only way to tell is the dangerous method of removing the sight to look for a serial number on its belly. The danger being you'll mess up and scratch the top of the frame. If you decide to do that, use some good thick tape on the gun and sight to at least try to protect it from fumbling fingers.

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Dick Burg

fumbling fingers. I resemble that remark.

While we're here, I need to raise the rear sight. Assume I turn it counter clockwise. Don't want to trial and error on this one.

Davd

the three screw OD is 646598, so your low number record holds.
My 638xxx is a two screw, ie one on each end.

Charlie

Charlie, thanks for the clarification.

Dick, now that I know what to look for, I am going to have to pull that sight and see if there is a number on the underside.

If my gun gets scratched it's going to be ALL YOUR FAULT.

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David Wilson

I've been blamed for worse.... But of course I'm innocent, as always.

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Dick Burg

695079; three screw.
DW

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"NUTS"

I found this thread as a result of the "First K-22 Outdoorsman" thread that is currently running. I thought I'd add my 4 gun K-22 OD stable to the data.

#634705, 2 screw, Call Gold, not lettered.

#635974, 2 screw, Call Gold, Shipped July 9, 1931 to Smith Bros. Hardware, Columbus, OH.

#649796, 3 screw, Call Silver, Shipped April 5, 1935 to Bob Smith Sporting Goods, Boston

#673560, 3 screw, King front sight, Shipped Oct. 3, 1938 to Zion's Cooperative Mercantile, SLC, Utah. (Roy could not confirm the King from sight but said it was offered at the time)

Attached Images

IMG_0099.jpg (52.0 KB, 16 views)

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Dennis
SWCA #2409, SWHF #353

Pls. do not pull that screw on your rear sight. It is a 1X64 NF thread. The dia. of that screw is 0.060" with a really fine thread. Plus, the screw slot is very shallow. I have seen it attempted , with an AH **** following the attempt. I will guarantee the Sn. is stamped on the underside flat.
Save your self an AH **** and a long search for a mint screw.
Best to you, Mike 2796

I attempted removing one once, and it didn't want to turn. I figured it wasn't worth the risk of breaking it just to satisfy my curiosity.

Here's a picture of a 2 screw (elevation screw). It was added fairly soon after the gun was introduced as the one screw wouldn't always stay in place and the elevation adjustment would change.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Also note that the second rear screw cannot be added after the fact, because the flat area on the top of the sight was extended when the second screw was added.

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Tom
1560

Actually, I believe you will find the #1 X 64 is the coarse thread size----the fine thread being in the 70's----76 maybe. And the diameter should be .073" (+/-).

I personally make one try to remove those screws, prior to their welcoming bath. Failing more often than not, the gun goes off to my gunsmith. He has done several dozen over the years----and has never boogered the screw or the gun---$20 a pop----which equates to about fifteen minutes of his time----or is perhaps a minimum charge. He notes "It's a wonder what a little heat will do!" He has neglected to tell me how much heat, for how long, and what gets heated; which, on balance, is fine by me!

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph, I expect that the heat source is a large soldering iron applied to the head of the screw, and then the correct screw driver held in a drill press with the gun in a padded vise. The soldering iron concentrates the heat and does no harm to the finish.

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Tom
1560

That makes more sense than what I had in mind!!

RT