Pre 18 rear sight problem

H Richard · #1 04-02-2013, 12:56 PM

I have a pre 18 with a ship date of early 1953. I was doing a favor for a member of the forum, and measuring the height of the sight blade and had moved the blade fully to the left, and it could not be moved back, I evidently sheared off the screw. Problem is I cannot get the screw removed. I have a new screw and nut on order, but when it gets here I don't know what I will do. Is there something different about a pre 18 sight? I have replaced blades in rear sights before and fully understand how they work, but something appears do be different with this one. Any help is appreciated.

Mike McLellan · #2 04-02-2013, 01:03 PM

The only difference would be the accumulation of dirt or crud.

JimHartman · #3 04-02-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

I have a pre 18 with a ship date of early 1953. I was doing a favor for a member of the forum, and measuring the height of the sight blade and had moved the blade fully to the left, and it could not be moved back, I evidently sheared off the screw. Problem is I cannot get the screw removed. I have a new screw and nut on order, but when it gets here I don't know what I will do. Is there something different about a pre 18 sight? I have replaced blades in rear sights before and fully understand how they work, but something appears do be different with this one. Any help is appreciated.

Wish I could return the favor, sorry about you breaking the screw trying to help me out. I thought if the plunger in the screw head is topped out on the slot for the blade you push in on the detent and slide the screw out. Man I really feel bad about causing you this problem.

armorer951 · #4 04-02-2013, 05:42 PM

Try backing the nut and attached broken screw stem out from the left side. You may have to fabricate a small "two pronged" driver head to fit/insert into the two small slots on the nut in order to get enough force to move the stem/nut assembly out. Once you back it out some, you can tap on the exposed end to push the broken screw head out the other side.

H Richard · #5 04-03-2013, 10:33 AM

Jim, don't feel bad. It's my fault for going too far with a 60 year old gun. It will get fixed. Thanks armorer951, I had forgotten I had made a "spanner" to fit the nut a few years ago. It was a good use for a cheap little screwdriver I had laying around. Got it out fine, and now just waiting for the replacement screw & nut to arrive form S&W. I called Cust Svc. and he just said he would mail one out, cost was too insignificant to bother with.

JimHartman · #6 04-03-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

Jim, don't feel bad. It's my fault for going too far with a 60 year old gun. It will get fixed. Thanks armorer951, I had forgotten I had made a "spanner" to fit the nut a few years ago. It was a good use for a cheap little screwdriver I had laying around. Got it out fine, and now just waiting for the replacement screw & nut to arrive form S&W. I called Cust Svc. and he just said he would mail one out, cost was too insignificant to bother with.

Thats good. Thanks for helping me out. I guess no good deed goes un-punished. I ordered a new blade screw and nut for my 18-2. Pretty low one .106 I hope it works, will let you know when I get it together.

H Richard · #7 04-03-2013, 08:16 PM

Wasn't the blade height I gave you .133 or something like that? Oh, that's right you were having problems too high wasn't it?

JimHartman · #8 04-04-2013, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

Wasn't the blade height I gave you .133 or something like that? Oh, that's right you were having problems too high wasn't it?

Over 6"high with one thats .145, See what happens with this new sight.Im going to install it without stakeing the screw to see whats what in case its to low, I can re use the screw and nut. Will keep you posted.