Chopped 27-2

[M29since14]

Sounds like the nut was not properly staked to the screw and it may have tightened up when you adjusted the sight, thus "freezing" the screw in the sight body. You can make a little spanner to turn the nut by taking a small screwdriver and filing away the tip of the blade corresponding to the area that would contact the screw. You're basically making a "spanner wrench" out of a screwdriver. You don't want the nut tight when you re-stake it. I usually leave about 1/8-turn or so of clearance. You want just enough clearance that everything moves freely, but not enough that the blade is able to wander around.

Once you get the nut loosened up and repositioned, you can easily re-stake it on the screw using a center-punch. I usually regrind a punch to 60-degrees included angle. You can support the other side of the screw (the head side) on a lead bullet, if you don't have a small block of lead handy. It doesn't take much to stake the screw, so don't whack too hard. Two or three light taps will usually do it.

Naturally, you want to remove the sight from the gun when you are monkeying with it.

 

[Reddog]

Thanks, 29, good to know!
But I don't think I'll do that now. I just received my FedX return label ( my wife just corrected my spelling of "label") from the factory. I'm going to explain all this in a letter with the gun when I return it, tomorrow. Thanks again!
Dick

 

[Reddog]

Gone!

My chopped 27 headed for Springfield with Fed Ex a couple hours ago. Now I wait again!
Dick

 

[faif2d]

The wait should be tempered by the fact that it is to damn hot to shoot even in the shade of your shelter belt. It is good to see that they are going to make it right, but you wonder why they couldn't get it right in the first place. I used to have a really good smith down here but he start having heart problems and quit.

 

[Reddog]

I don't know, Steve?
I did shoot a couple targets, yesterday, with a new (to me) 4 inch Mod. 28 I bought recently. You're right, it is hot and I'm still waiting on the chopped 27.
Pic is of the 4".
Dick

 

[williamlayton]

HUMMMMM. Life would be such a drag if'n we'un didn't have sumthin to dig our fingernails into.
I think the sights may be the problem to begin with----now what if they decide to do one of their canted barrel things to correct the issue?
Guess, I aught to keep my mouth shut---your doin a good job with keeping a straight face.
It will come around and then you will have to find another project to dig into.
Blessings

 

[Reddog]

Don't know how it'll turn out, William? But, I'm sure anxious to get it over with!
Dick

 

[williamlayton]

Don't be overly anxious---enjoy the ride and the process.
Blessings

 

[Reddog]

Still no word on the second return to the factory!

 

[Reddog]

Just received word that the factory was shut down for the first two weeks of August!

 

[bronco45]

Reddog: My heart goes out to you on this one. I had a 27 in the early 80s rebuilt by Smith and they did a great job, the wait was the killer.

They'll make it right.

 

[Reddog]

I'm sure they will, Bronc!
Thanks for the moral support!
Dick

 

[Reddog]

I just looked on the web and hurricane Irene shows to be tracking right, square through the center of Springfield, MA! I may never get my gun back!

 

[Reddog]

Hot Dog!

It's coming home, tomorrow! Got a phone message from the factory.
Dick

 

[bronco45]

Nothing like a Reunion!
Gotta see the pictures when it get's nestled down in the safe.

 

[Reddog]

OK, Bronco!

 

[Reddog]

It's back!

I picked up my 5" chopped 27-2 this afternoon! Among other things, they replaced the rear sight blade. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but they sent along a test target which looks good! I'll shoot it tomorrow and post some more pics.
Dick

 

[Iggy]

That target is bad news!!

Now if you have your shots scattered all over the place, we will know it's not the gun's fault.....

 

[Reddog]

Targets

Right on, Iggy!
I don't claim to be an expert shooter and I'm getting too old to hold a heavy gun like this up very long for offhand shooting! These targets were shot off the bags at an honest 25 yards with fairly heavy loads! Next time I'm going to take some of my light target loads and see if I can match that S&W tech's target.
I was a little surprised that my standby load of 153 gr. RCBS semiwad and 3.7 gr. of 700X did so poorly? I really like the 172 gr. bullet load with 700X. The HS5 is good but I'm about out of that powder. But I think the gun is finally the way I want it! It's a well balanced, good handling gun! I plan on shooting it plenty!
Dick

 

[M29since14]

Those targets looks like you have gotten the thing squared away. As to the loads, I have never seen anything that beats a sturdy charge of 2400 with the 358156 bullet in magnum brass. I would expect it to shoot into a group about half the size of the ones shown.

I understand the "too old" for offhand shooting thing. But for me, these days my problems are more with vision than with arm strength. Whenever I shoot a group, if it is two-inches, I can usually assume the gun is capable of half that, and I am to blame for the other half. I just don't see that well any more, even with my Merit device.

I used to have a lot of confidence in my ability to "test" guns and ammunition from prone with sandbags (more so than from the bench), but the eyesight thing has pretty much precluded that. I suppose I should consider getting a Ransom rest and learning how to use it, but it may be a little too late for that.

Anyway, glad you have the 27 back and it is doing what you want it to. Now all you have to do is get your cartridges whipped into shape and you will be a happy fellow.