On a fixed sight revolver that shoots to the left a couple inches-how do your correct? Can you file the right side of the rear sight to enlarge the area so that you're forced into pulling the front site more to the right in order to have POI where you want it?
Adjusting Fixed Sights
- Thread starter ColColt
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Dragon88
Member
There are a few different options. You can file the rear sight slightly to create more clearance on one side and change your sight picture, shifting POI slightly. I wouldn't recommend this. You can bend the front sight to one side. I wouldn't recommend this. The best option is to have a gunsmith put the gun in a vise and turn the barrel slightly in the appropriate direction. Done correctly, this will true up your sights and not damage the finish anywhere on the gun.
Another easy option is to try adjusting POI through your load. My 10-6 shoots slightly right with WWB 130gr jacketed, but dead on with my 125gr cast handload.
Another easy option is to try adjusting POI through your load. My 10-6 shoots slightly right with WWB 130gr jacketed, but dead on with my 125gr cast handload.
I had the barrel turned several degrees on one revolver that the front sight was obviiously cocked to one side.
I've helped several people select more suitable ammunition, or in some cases, convince them they were the cause of the "sight problem" and correct their technique. Few people want to even consider they are pulling to the side.
IMHO, cutting on the rear sight is nearly always a mistake.
I've helped several people select more suitable ammunition, or in some cases, convince them they were the cause of the "sight problem" and correct their technique. Few people want to even consider they are pulling to the side.
IMHO, cutting on the rear sight is nearly always a mistake.
I wouldn't cut it. If you do, you'll have to cut it twice as much as the sight would move if it was adjustable; i.e., a 1/64" movement of an adjustable sight would necessitate 1/32" worth of filing on a fixed sight to achieve the same result. You'd end up with a really wide slot, with a lot more daylight on each side of the front sight than you're accustomed to.
Looking at the top of the barrel where it goes into the frame, it seems it could be turned in clockwise looking at it from the front as there's a slight cant to it. The front sight itself is ok. I think turning the barrel in a bit more may correct the problem. I don't think I'd want to attempt it, however.
Dragon88
Member
It is easily done by a gunsmith with the right tools. Just a matter of if you want to spend the money on having it taken care of. I hate having guns shoot off POA/POI, but it's just one of those things we deal with in fixed sight revolvers.
I wouldn't mind spending the money but you'd think this kind of thing should have been addressed before it shipped. I don't know how they determine when enough's enough as it couldn't take more than a few thousands of an inch to correct...if that much.
Dragon88
Member
I bet their tolerance on this is larger than we would like. I can just imagine that the barrel is screwed on until it looks somewhat straight, then sent to someone else in a batch of guns to be test fired. If it hits somewhere on whatever they use as a target it is boxed and shipped. All or nearly all of my fixed sight smiths are off some.
Dragon88
Member
Sounds like a good plan. If he's into revolvers he's probably done many in the past.
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ColColt:
What Model is this gun, what is the barrel length, and what is the distance you are stating that it is a few inches off to the left from? The other important thing here is what is the intended purpose of this revolver?
For instance...........
If this is a 2" model 36, 37, 60, etc. (2" J-frame) and is a CCW weapon, and the distance you are a few inches off from is let's say 50 feet, I would not do a thing, because you are not going to shoot someone at 50 feet in a self defense situation and a few inches off at 50 feet is not much, and will be more than accurate enough at 5 or 10 feet. Conversely, if this is a 6" Model 10 that will be used for small game hunting or target shooting, my personal preference would be to try different 158 grain loads and see if you can change the POI that way. If not, (IMHO) the least noticeable correction would probably be to remove enough metal from the rear sight notch to move the POI over to the right and correct the discrepancy.
When the barrels are turned to correct the POI it drives me nuts to see a "crooked" barrel - more so than a widened rear notch.
Chief38
What Model is this gun, what is the barrel length, and what is the distance you are stating that it is a few inches off to the left from? The other important thing here is what is the intended purpose of this revolver?
For instance...........
If this is a 2" model 36, 37, 60, etc. (2" J-frame) and is a CCW weapon, and the distance you are a few inches off from is let's say 50 feet, I would not do a thing, because you are not going to shoot someone at 50 feet in a self defense situation and a few inches off at 50 feet is not much, and will be more than accurate enough at 5 or 10 feet. Conversely, if this is a 6" Model 10 that will be used for small game hunting or target shooting, my personal preference would be to try different 158 grain loads and see if you can change the POI that way. If not, (IMHO) the least noticeable correction would probably be to remove enough metal from the rear sight notch to move the POI over to the right and correct the discrepancy.
When the barrels are turned to correct the POI it drives me nuts to see a "crooked" barrel - more so than a widened rear notch.
Chief38
Chief-It's a little Ruger SP101, 3 inch. Purpose? Mostly just recreation and a possible bug. The distances I shoot are normally 7-15 yards as I'm no Elmer Keith or Hickok45 for distance shooting and at 65 my eyes can't discern the sights and target as well as before. I still like to hit what I'm aiming at regardless the purpose or distance.
These are a couple of examples of where it's shooting at around 10 yards. At 25 yards I think perhaps the group may be even more to the left.
Just as an after thought, the top of the barrel/frame junction looks like the barrel could be turned in a bit more to the right(clockwise) and that may correct the problem. There's more "metal showing on the right than left side of the frame.
These are a couple of examples of where it's shooting at around 10 yards. At 25 yards I think perhaps the group may be even more to the left.
Just as an after thought, the top of the barrel/frame junction looks like the barrel could be turned in a bit more to the right(clockwise) and that may correct the problem. There's more "metal showing on the right than left side of the frame.
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ColColt,
You might have just lucked out because if the barrel is turned in the direction it needs to be so that it is perfectly straight, it should move the groups to the right. How much to the right is anyone's guess, but at least the barrel is currently off in the direction you need to turn it. Give it a try and see where it shoots. Goo luck with it.
Chief38
You might have just lucked out because if the barrel is turned in the direction it needs to be so that it is perfectly straight, it should move the groups to the right. How much to the right is anyone's guess, but at least the barrel is currently off in the direction you need to turn it. Give it a try and see where it shoots. Goo luck with it.
Chief38
Your gunsmith may have the tools necessary to turn the barrel in a tad without damaging the frame. Ask him.
Dragon88
Member
Yup, just have your local smith do it. An experienced one can probably eyeball the adjustment without even test firing it and get it pretty close to dead on.
JER357
Member
I would recommend sending back to Ruger. All you'll be out is the shipping and probably just one way.
I purchased a new Blackhawk several years ago and found a ring of rust inside the barrel an inch from the muzzle. Anyhow I contacted them, sent it in and got it back with new barrel, a bag with replaced springs and a letter explaining that since it was there they ran it through the custom shop.
Just my 2cents
I purchased a new Blackhawk several years ago and found a ring of rust inside the barrel an inch from the muzzle. Anyhow I contacted them, sent it in and got it back with new barrel, a bag with replaced springs and a letter explaining that since it was there they ran it through the custom shop.
Just my 2cents
The S&W armorers kit contains a babbot bar. The purpose is to slightly move the barrel. It isn't easy to watch the barrel being beaten on with a lead bar.
MichiganScott
Member
Try different loads. You may very well get lucky and find one that will land in the X-ring .
ruger
hi folks,
just an idea, I would let someone else shoot the gun, and then see where it groups. I have seen many times when someone else shot a gun, it shot right on......sw dan
hi folks,
just an idea, I would let someone else shoot the gun, and then see where it groups. I have seen many times when someone else shot a gun, it shot right on......sw dan
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