617 Shoots High

[Whit]

Shot my 4" 617 for the first time today. With the rear sight as low as can be adjusted it shoots high. I wondering if different blades are available to make the front sight higher or if a lower rear sight leaf is available? Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,
Joel

 

[keithherrington]

Yes there are. I'd set the rear sight about 10 clicks up from full bottom then shoot the gun at 50 or 75 feet. Measure the distance between the point of aim and the point of impact and calculate how much more front sight you need. Then I'd send it to S&W with a specific request for a front sight tall enough to match your desired change. If your front sight is pinned then you're golden. If not, then someone like Bowen can be used to install a taller front sight.

 

[My Eye!]

You didn't say how high, but if it isn't too much, the best fix would probably be to pin in a higher front blade. I haven't figured the math on your sight radius, but I think about .050" will give around 6" change of impact at 25 yds.

I always like having my rear sight somewhere in the mid range of it's adjustment so I can allow for future ammo changes and such.

If it's shooting WAAAYYY high, it's probably best to send her in to the pros. Jim

 

[SWBigBang]

How high and at what distance?
Also, was this purchased used or new?

 

[H Richard]

Have you measured the height of your rear sight blade? It is possible the incorrect blade was installed in your gun. I have a 2 1/2" Mod 19 that had an incorrect sight blade. Replaced it with correct blade an all was O.K. Screw the windage all the way left so the edge extends just slightly out of the sight, and measure the blade overall height. Call S&W tech support and tell them what you have and where it is shooting. They will send you the correct height blade.

 

[Wee Hooker]

POI can change with ammo brand/power too. ( Dramaticly) Make sure try different ammo's and then do the math with ammo the gun likes.

 

[Whit]

Thanks for all the replies. The revolver was used when I got it. I've not shot it from a rest. Off hand at about 25 yards it was shooting about one foot high. Two different brands of ammo were shot with similar results.

First time I've ever encountered a Smith that could not be adjusted. I've never had to bottom out a rear sight. I want to have some leeway to adjust the sights for differnt ammo.

Sounds like a trip to Springfield may be in the offing.

 

[My Eye!]

I would shoot about a twenty round group from a rest to remove as much human error as possible. (with the type of ammo that you will use the most).

Then if your POI is 12" high as you now say, use this equation/ratio to determine the amount of sight change required to correct the problem.

12"/900" = X"/6" --- Read as; Twelve inches of change at 900 inches (25 yds) equals x inches of change at six inches. (six inches is the sight radius on a four inch revolver)

Solve the equation by multiplying six by twelve, and dividing by 900, and X equals .080 inches.

This is a fairly substantial sight change if you have already bottomed your rear sight and are using a six o'clock POA.---not so bad if you can make the correction by changing both front and rear blades. (and use a six o'clock hold if you're not). Good luck.

Jim

 

[Spotteddog]

Using the "Navy hold" (6 o'clock) at distance might clear up the issue for you?

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I have both a 4" and a 6" no dash 617.My 6" is dead on, but my 4" is just like yours it shoots high.When it bothers me enough I am going to put a taller front sight on it.It may not be very long as I shot it yesterday, and it really bugged me.

 

[Spotteddog]

IIRC this is about the third or fourth one of these I've read this about on the Forum? Anybody know exactly Wazzup wit dis!?

 

[Oscar Zulu]

i bought a used 617 and it shot high also. I changed the rear blade and all was well. I 'm sorry I do not rember which blade hieght I used. Should be an easy fix.
OZ

 

[My Eye!]

The last two Smiths that I bought have the opposite problem. If I hold six o'clock, that's where I hit. These are both fixed sight, double action only revolvers, and it's not a big problem. I could probably hit center with a slower heavier bullet.

With a nice adjustable sight .22 like the 617 however, I like to dial em in to clip the whiskers on a gnat at 25 yards. There's nothing quite like having one that shoots EXACTLY where ya aim it.

Jim