63-5 Windage and Elevation question

[Pef]

I have a 63-5 that is very, very accurate. It has about 3k rounds through it.

However, to center the point of impact, I need to have the windage adjusted significantly to the right (See below, first and second pictures).

I'm sure the issue is with the gun, because all my other guns do not need such correction and I shoot them well.

Another issue is the elevation. I must have the elevation adjusted relatively high. See third picture. I use a Six O'Clock hold. Is that the sight picture to be used for this gun and sights? Note how low the rear sight profile is.

The barrel does not appear to be "canted." See fourth picture.

Anyway, I'm not going to send this back to Smith. With the sights adjusted the way they are, it's dead on.

I am just wondering if this is abnormal or if the gun is "within spec" if I can adjust it to zero.

Tx,
PEF

And

And:

And

 

[Macinaw]

Don't know the correct answer. Your photos are awesome.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

What's the distance of your target? What effect does moving it further and closer have on the point of impact?

 

[Pef]

What's the distance of your target? What effect does moving it further and closer have on the point of impact?

My range goes out to 25 yards, and be it 7, 10 or 25, windage is now spot on.

 

[Pef]

Don't know the correct answer. Your photos are awesome.

All done with an IPhone 6.

 

[MajorD]

The whole
Point of adjustable sights is to adjust them! If the gun groups tightly where you want bullets to impact as your sights are adjusted there is no problem.

 

[k22fan]

I like a center hold. If you did not have to raise the rear sight for your 6 O'clock hold and the revolver had been sold to me then I would have had an issue to repair. Apparently S&W chose a good compromise.

 

[H Richard]

That is not an unusual condition and well within spec for a S&W of just about any era.

 

[Alk8944]

^^^^^^^^^^^

While not aesthetically pleasing, as long as the gun sights can be adjusted to shoot center it is within "Spec" for S&W.

k22 fan, Adjusting sights does not constitute a "repair"!

 

[k22fan]

^^^^^^^^^^^
[...] k22 fan, Adjusting sights does not constitute a "repair"!

J frame sight notches are too shallow for filling down the blade and IIRC S&W does not offer varying height J frame blade kits so the repair for my hypothetical would have been a taller front sight.

Back on the more important issue the O.P. is just spending too much time examining his gun.

Pef,

What barrel length does your dash 5 have? For a few years S&W sold only 5" then went to only 3" 63s. Longer barrels require a higher rear sight.

 

[Pef]

J frame sight notches are too shallow for filling down the blade and IIRC S&W does not offer varying height J frame blade kits so the repair for my hypothetical would have been a taller front sight.

Back on the more important issue the O.P. is just spending too much time examining his gun.

Pef,

What barrel length does your dash 5 have? For a few years S&W sold only 5" then went to only 3" 63s. Longer barrels require a higher rear sight.

3", current production.

Well I don't know about too much time examining my gun. When I first shot it after cleaning I kept correcting windage. And correcting. And correcting. And correcting. When that happens, it's hard *NOT* to notice.

 

[k22fan]

[...] When I first shot it after cleaning I kept correcting windage. And correcting. And correcting. And correcting. [...]

I wonder if that was from not using a consistent grip. I am right handed. If I rotate my hand counter clock wise around the stock POI shifts to the left. Rotating my grip back clock wise aligning the barrel with my forearm shifts POI back to the right. The reason for the POI shift to the left is my thumb joint does not offer as much resistance to the revolver recoiling toward the center of my body or left. This logically is more significant with the larger harder recoiling revolvers but it is worth paying attention to.

 

[KSDeputy]

Mine is one of the first Model 63's made. I have never adjusted anything and it is very accurate, even after all of these years. I guess I should consider myself very fortunate. I am glad you got your's adjusted so it shoots well.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The OP doesn't show the front sight in detail, but I think it's the pinned style. Looks like it this might be one of the new 3-inch guns. You could contact S&W and ask if they have a shorter front sight blade. If "yes", it would allow the rear sight to be lowered. You should ask for a new roll pin, too, in case you can't reuse the existing one. Smith might even send you the blade and pin for free, if you explain your dissatisfaction with the zero.

 

[H Richard]

The amount of adjustment shown in the photo's on post #1 is immaterial and far less than some rear sights are adjusted.