586 L-comp shooting to the right

captdan555 · #1 03-25-2019, 12:04 PM

Just bought a new .357 Lcomp. Right out of the box at 7 yards I noted she shoot approx. 4-5 inches to the right. I later sandbagged the gun and adjusted the sights. I'm dead on now, but the rear sight is screwed way over to the left leaving about 1/16 of an inch gap on the right side. I've heard about barrel cant on some of the S/W revolvers, but this one looks ok by visual inspection.
Has anyone had the same issues with the Lcomp? While the issue is fixable in that it can be adjusted out, it's my basic feeling that no pistol should have to have the rear sight pushed that far to either side to get a zero.
In the good news section the trigger is fine, and the gun shoots very tight groups!

Attached is a photo of the rear sight, and the group can also be seen ( 7 yards )

Comments and ideas welcome

shocker · #2 03-25-2019, 12:12 PM

If you are sure it's the gun, back to the factory for a checkup. Could be the barrel is not square to the frame.

captdan555 · #3 03-25-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shocker

If you are sure it's the gun, back to the factory for a checkup. Could be the barrel is not square to the frame.

thanks, I suppose that's fixable. I know it's the gun. Fact: that it took a large movement of the rear sight to make it shoot strait, add to that all my other guns shoot strait

thanks again

Struckat · #4 12-25-2019, 11:31 AM

If the barrel is not canted, is the front sight slot machined straight?
I had a 66-8 that the front sight was a leaner to the left. Didn’t see it until I switched the front to something taller.

UncleEd · #5 12-25-2019, 01:07 PM

Try it at a longer distance, say 20
yards. If you're still on then I
wouldn't worry about it.

Frankly, though dialed to the left,
it doesn't look like that much.

Make sure the assembly is mounted
tightly to the top strap.

But, of course, if not satisfied, send
it back to the Mother Ship.

L-2 · #6 12-25-2019, 08:57 PM

I've got the same issue except my rear sight needed adjusting to the right, instead. I'm guessing the barrel is slightly canted, but I can't really see it. I've had the gun for years now and I've not cared to send the gun back to S&W; maybe I'll do so next year.

Since the photo was taken, I've replaced the front sight with a brass-bead type. The original front night sight was too in-set and dim for me to see it glow. I installed a plug-kit to replace the ILS; and I installed a Pachmayr rubber grip instead of wood or Hogue stocks which came with this 586 L-Comp. I suppose if I return the gun to S&W, I'd reinstall the ILS. I wouldn't want S&W to accidentally lose my plug-kit parts.

Lou_the_welder · #7 12-26-2019, 02:47 PM

To me, that seems like an acceptable windage adjustment. And I would leave it alone.
Dont let me tell you about the time, I sent one in for too much windage adjustment and got it back from the factory with a canted barrel.
Leave it be.

gnystrom · #8 12-26-2019, 05:46 PM

I have also had to fiddle with the rear sight in my L-Comp. Dead on for me is with the rear sight off to the left a bit. My barrel does not appear to be canted si I just live with the sight off center.
BTW I am near 75 and that gun will still keep all of them in the black of a standard Bullseye target at 30' using a two hand hold DA only.
One thing to check, if you use the first joint of your trigger finger it will naturally move your shots a bit right. (RH shooter)

Kurusu · #9 12-26-2019, 06:02 PM

Just out of curiosity. What loads are you using?

UncleEd · #10 12-26-2019, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou_the_welder

To me, that seems like an acceptable windage adjustment. And I would leave it alone.
Dont let me tell you about the time, I sent one in for too much windage adjustment and got it back from the factory with a canted barrel.
Leave it be.

I think I just may know the Smith armorer who
took care of your gun. He has a great sense
of humor.

scruffy · #11 12-26-2019, 06:26 PM

My 686+ with 3" barrel also shot to the left. I adjusted the sights and was able to get groups that were centered. I switched grips as the stock grips (covered backstrap) kept my trigger finger from being able to pull the trigger straight back in double action and was actually "pushing" the gun to the left during firing. After I changed the grips to Pachmayr CompacPros (small and open backstrap) I had to change the sights back and the gun shoots well for me now.