Canted Barrel

[Dump1567]

I picked-up a nice early 80's model 10 with a 2 inch barrel a few weeks ago. I noticed the barrel was canted to the right. And when I went to shoot it, it was hitting a few inches to the right at 7 yards.

Does anyone know what ammo was used to originally sight these 2 inch guns in? I would assume this was sighted in prior to leaving the factory? Or am I wrong?

Will tightening the barrel (moving the sight to center) bring my rounds to impact to the left of where they were hitting?

Thanks.

 

[armorer951]

Congratulations....looks to be in great condition.

If the barrel (front sight) is canted to the right (when looking from the rear) the gun would normally shoot to the left. Centering the barrel (front sight) to the 12 o'clock position would normally move the impact point on the target to the center. Perhaps there is another problem unrelated to the canted barrel, like barrel misalignment in the frame ?

While the canted barrel should have been found and fixed prior to shipping, the gun was test fired for function only before leaving the factory, not sighted in. The fixed sights on the model 10 are not considered "adjustable".

 

[jjfitch]

I've shot literally thousands of revolver rounds in competition.

I can not shoot a gun with a canted barrel. My brain wants to center the front sight in the rear sight notch. It literally makes me sea sick!

This anomaly may may be affecting your ability to shoot this to point of aim. Get the thing clocked properly and then begin analysis. If it still doesn't shoot to point of aim there is another problem.

These are not precision revolvers even though many can be! If you are able to put three rounds into a group the size of your hand at seven yards you're "golden"!

Smiles,

 

[pantannojack]

Are you left handed or right? Are you watching your thumb pressure in relation to your trigger finger position on the trigger? If two handed hold are you increasing finger pressure with trigger pull?

 

[Fishinfool]

I would have somebody else, who is a competent handgun shooter, give it a try. Helps eliminate you as the problem. Sometimes something as simple as your grip can influence grouping. If it still fails to shoot to center of the target, maybe try a couple different brands of ammo, and bullet weights. If still no joy, and it bugs you, have a smith true up the barrel.

I don't know for a fact, but I would assume most fixed sight .38 specials are designed around the standard velocity 158 grain bullet.

Larry

 

[Dump1567]

I'm going to put on bigger grips (I've got big hands) & try it single action to see if I'm the problem. But I may still straighten out the sight.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Moving the front sight ( turning the barrel works in reverse to moving the rear sight , if you had an adjustable rear sight . I have that exact same gun . I found that shooting while holding with both hands I had problems hitting a steel target @ 15 yrds . When just using my strong hand (left hand ) , that is just shooting one handed I had no problems hitting the steel consecutively . So I just shoot it " one handed " using standard 158 bullets using a std powder load for regular 38 special , not +P . Each gun has it's own " personality " and the trick is to figure it out . I would try just shooting it " one handed " first , and shoot quite a few rounds . Then get another shooter that you trust try . Hope this helps , Good luck . Regards Paul

 

[stansdds]

I picked-up a nice early 80's model 10 with a 2 inch barrel a few weeks ago. I noticed the barrel was canted to the right. And when I went to shoot it, it was hitting a few inches to the right at 7 yards.

Does anyone know what ammo was used to originally sight these 2 inch guns in? I would assume this was sighted in prior to leaving the factory? Or am I wrong?

Will tightening the barrel (moving the sight to center) bring my rounds to impact to the left of where they were hitting?

Thanks.

S&W sighted in 38 Special revolvers with 158 grain standard pressure ammo.