586 partridge sight shooting low

[mrhunt14]

New guy here. Just picked up a 6'' 586 no dash with a tall "patridge" front sight. The grips are factory dated to Feb 6th 1984. I took it out to the range today and it was shooting about 16 inches low at 15 yards. At 25 yards I had to aim about 10 inches above the intended target. The 586 was dead on when I used a Kentucky windage. Does anyone know why the it shoots low? Is it the rear sight? I tried to adjust the sight but it wont go any lower. I used a sled so it was not human error.

 

[Iggy]

Try a heavier bullet.

 

[JayFramer]

They're called PATRIDGE sights, after the original maker. Remember that for next time. You're in S&W country, brother.

 

[mrhunt14]

Roger that

 

[domyalex]

New guy here. Just picked up a 6'' 586 no dash with a partridge front. The grips are factory dated to Feb 6th 1984. I took it out to the range today and it was shooting about 16 inches low at 15 yards. At 25 yards I had to aim about 10 inches above the intended target. The 586 was dead on when I used a Kentucky windage. Does anyone know why the it shoots low? Is it the rear sight? I tried to adjust the sight but it wont go any lower. I used a sled so it was not human error.

^That might be your problem. You should move the rear sight in the direction you want your point of impact to move; to move it upward, you need to raise the rear sight.

 

[Engine49guy]

Counter clockwise on top screw to raise impact
What kind of ammo are you shooting .38 Special, .38 Special +P, .357 Mag ?

 

[robert1804]

Wow, 16" low at 15 yards is a lot. Even if the rear sight was as low as it could go, there is likely not enough adjustment range to raise it far enough. I would guess either the rear sight blade is too short (different height blades are available) or the front sight is too tall.

 

[mrhunt14]

I was using 110gr Sierra RN reloads. Getting very tight groups, just low.

 

[Pisgah]

110 gr. is light, and likely will shoot a bit low even with the sights properly adjusted. But as already noted, your main problem is a misadjusted rear sight. Crank it UP to make the point of impact go up.

 

[savit260]

Am I right to assume this is not a factory front sight? Sounds to me like that front sight is way too tall. I can't see being able to adjust 16 inches of elevation at 15 yards using just the rear sight adjustments.

 

[Jdavis]

Are you shooting offhand or from a solid rest? If offhand, could it be that you are anticipating the shot and compensating for it? I would suggest a solid rest for any fine sight adjustement before altering that front sight. You have received good advice for proper sight adjustment. Remember to adjust rear sights in the direction that you want the impact to move (reverse of what you are doing).

 

[murphydog]

If the sight setup is stock, and depending on the velocity, a 158 gr load (especially in .357 territory) will likely print closer to point of aim without too much elevation adjustment out to about 25 yards. How fast do you think the 110 gr loads are going?

 

[Biggfoot44]

1. Sight adjusted wrong direction.

2. 110Gr will inherently strike lower than 158gr.

3. Not sure about the dynamics of a 'sled" with recoil forces. Gun held in two hands, with forearms and/ or wrists supporte will be reasonably close in addition impact to a good standing stance for POI .

 

[STG38]

The "High Patridge" front sight was designed for a "neck hold" when shooting silhouette targets. I had one on a 686 and ended up changing to a standard height front sight.