Bending a 66's front sight?

[mtnsmithguy]

I recently purchased a used Stainless S&W Model 66-2, 2.5" online from a dealer. When it was delivered, the front sight blade appeared bent to the left. Upon looking closer, the barrel is turned too far clockwise so it appears the sight blade is bent. Can the barrel be turned back to center, and should a gunsmith do it.

Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

The problem is, the barrel is torqued in place.
If you just turn it back so the sight is centered, you break the torque and the barrel will then probably be loose enough that firing vibration will cause the barrel to unscrew.

This usually means the barrel has to be re-set by setting the barrel back by one thread. This is NO job for most local gunsmiths, most of whom don't have all the tooling to do it right.
Most of them will just back the barrel off slightly, and hope the barrel doesn't unscrew later.
Then too, without the right tooling, many locals my be tempted to use a hammer handle instead of a frame wrench and could ruin the gun.

My suggestion, either find a REAL S&W qualified local pistolsmith who you know for sure has the tooling, or send it in to S&W to get it done right.
I suspect that S&W has methods of tightening the barrel so they don't have to completely rework the barrel.

Possibly, since it's a factory mistake, they may do it for nothing.

 

[TACC1]

I'd Sure Like To Hear...

I'd sure like to hear what the outcome is on this issue. It comes
up often enough that I may have to deal with this problem myself.
Just guessing, but I bet there's others on the Forum that'd like to know how this gets resolved.
I'll think warm, fuzzy thought about you in the meantime.
Good luck, TACC1.

 

[CALREB]

I had an old time armorer loosen the barrel , then would roll up a few strands of fine steel wool into like thin wire ,drop it in on to the barrel across the top rib area,holding the barrel pointed down,one on top of a couple threads,and the other along the top portion ,just below the rib ,then hand twist the barrel tight to hold in place,then torque it straight,I swear they would tighten right up and you really couldnt see any gap.If the wire stuck out,he would just burn it off. He said that after you fire about 30 rds it would like fire form and be good as ever. I have a 629 that he did for me it shoots great even after several hundred rounds and no sign of the non pinned barrel loosening.for what its worth. Bob

 

[bgrafsr]

Depending on how far the barrel is torqued off center, you can also remove it, and then prick punch the end of the frame and around the barrel by the threads. This will displace some metal and cause the barrel to tighten up enough to set the front sight straight up as it should be. You can also use some blue locktite to help keep the barrel tight, but the best way is to turn the barrel shoulder back. If that is done though, you will have to re-set the barrel/cylinder gap, and more than likely re-cut the forcing cone too. On top of that, you may have to shorten the ejector rod a bit also, and then open up the front of it (taper the opening) so it fits the locking bolt correctly.

 

[S&W revolverman]

dfariswheel & bgrafsr are right on in my opinion. Send it back to S&W factory and have it done right, then you have nothing to go wrong on. The short cut of any problem is only going to cause headaches for you or someone else in the future.

Hope this helps
chris

 

[WR Moore]

...and then prick punch the end of the frame and around the barrel by the threads. This will displace some metal and cause the barrel to tighten up enough to set the front sight straight up as it should be.

If you just have to do things like this, it's good practice to do so on the cheaper and more easily replaced part: the barrel. NOT THE FRAME!

Setting the barrel back by a thread is the best long term cure. Just one thread often doesn't require the ejector rod to be shortened, but that depends upon parts tolerances.

 

[65kaiser]

What are your options, if any, from the dealer you purchased it from. Was this problem disclosed ? I would return it and start over .