Gunsmith installs rocking big dot sight.

BATWOLF! · Mar 4, 2022

I took my new S&W 340 PD to a gunsmith to have them install a big dot sight. They didn't seem to fit the sight by removing a little material off the tab before drilling it, as a result the front sight slightly rocks back and forth and there is a gap. I've included an image.

I'm not happy with how the sight install turned out. I don't have a lot of revolver experience is this considered a normal install? If not, what's a fair expectation when I return to the smith?

I don't see how it can be fixed without a new sight.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=563232&stc=1&d=1646452805

DTH · Mar 4, 2022

Sloppy work , I would not be happy.

67tempest · Mar 5, 2022

I agree, that was poorly done. Sight should have been fitted properly before being pinned. That should be the gunsmith's responsibility to obtain a new sight and install it properly at their expense.

Ivan the Butcher · Mar 5, 2022

You just learned one of the hardest lessons. Your gunsmith isn't!

Ivan

Dave Lively · Mar 5, 2022

IMO if you paid to have a new front sight properly installed the gunsmith owes you a new sight that is properly installed. If drilling is required that means buying you a new sight.

A lot of gunsmiths rely on word of mouth and try to keep their customers happy. You have nothing to lose by taking it back and asking for a replacement.

As a practical matter the front sight wobbling a bit shouldn't matter much. But it would really bug me. If I installed a sight myself and it looked like that I might decide it was good enough and live with it. But if I paid a gunsmith to do it right I would expect better.

robs9 · Mar 5, 2022

NOT acceptable!

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ACORN · Mar 5, 2022

I’d ask him to fix it at his expense. Not a professional job.
I think the sight could be salvaged.

studenygreg · Mar 5, 2022

Wow! That is terrible. Sorry to see that. Good Gunsmithing is getting harder to find.

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Hurryin' Hoosier · Mar 5, 2022

How's about you have him remove the sight, machine the "half moon notch" (I guess you might call it) a little deeper, apply some red Loctite, re-drill and re-pin? Would that work? (And, naturally, it should be at his expense.)

ACORN · Mar 5, 2022

Hurryin' Hoosier said:
How's about you have him remove the sight, machine the "half moon notch" (I guess you might call it) a little deeper, apply some red Loctite, re-drill and re-pin? Would that work? (And, naturally, it should be at his expense.)

Pretty much what I was thinking. Maybe dress down the bottom of the sight, re-drill and secure the blade and pin with Loctite Black Max.

Autonomous · Mar 5, 2022

Not acceptable.
Here is where it gets tricky. Do you trust him to fix it without causing permanent damage?

BATWOLF! · Mar 5, 2022

I plan on giving them an opportunity to make it right. The gun is likely going to have to go back to S&W anyway for issues not related to the sight.

VM · Mar 5, 2022

Autonomous said:
Not acceptable.
Here is where it gets tricky. Do you trust him to fix it without causing permanent damage?

^^^^THIS ^^^^^

I would not take the gun back to him as it’s obvious he does not have proper training/knowledge to do work.
How in his professional status did he take your money and hand you the gun back in first place?

Rodfac · Mar 5, 2022

You'll need a new sight and a better gunsmith...there should be zero movement in any sight...good luck. Rod

BATWOLF! · Mar 5, 2022

Hurryin' Hoosier said:
How's about you have him remove the sight, machine the "half moon notch" (I guess you might call it) a little deeper, apply some red Loctite, re-drill and re-pin? Would that work? (And, naturally, it should be at his expense.)

I’m not terribly keen on removing any material from the aluminum scandium frame, and I think a re drill would still hit the same hole. I’ll see what the shop proposes. I don’t want them machining the frame of a $1000 pistol to save a $60 sight.

If they wanted to do that I’d probably just take my money back for the work they performed, buy a new sight and go to a different smith.

ACORN · Mar 5, 2022

I would not re-drill the gun. I’d drill the pin hole in the sight oversized to allow it to “float” in the groove. Then the Loctite to attach it to the pistol. The pin would act as a backup and fill the hole in the rib.

BATWOLF! · Mar 5, 2022

ACORN said:
I would not re-drill the gun. I’d drill the pin hole in the sight oversized to allow it to “float” in the groove. Then the Loctite to attach it to the pistol. The pin would act as a backup and fill the hole in the rib.

I'll just buy a new sight with my own money if they try to do something like that.

LCC · Mar 5, 2022

no excuses for sloppy work like that...owning a hammer, file and punch does not make one a gunsmith

67tempest · Mar 5, 2022

The correct way would be to remove the sight and re-index the firearm in a mill on the original drilled hole. Fit a new sight and make sure it sit's flush and secure in the original sight base. Clamp the sight to the base and then drill the hole in the sight and install a new retaining pin. I wouldn't depend on Loctite to make up for an bad original sight installation.

ACORN · Mar 5, 2022

Do what you want. Black Max is tough and doesn’t cost as much as a new sight. Besides all it is doing is taking the play out of it. The pin is still there.
Your gun not mine

Gunsmith installs rocking big dot sight.

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