HELP: 686Plus Rear Sight

[MCVenner]

I clean this infrequently-used gun after each outing and, until yesterday, hadn't noted anything amiss. That cleaning -- after shooting about 100 rounds of 38 Special and about 20 rounds of 357 Magnum -- called my attention to the raised front end of the rear sight. It seems to take an inordinate amount of thumb pressure to push the raised portion of the sight back against the top strap so I'm reluctant to simply try to tighten the associated screw. Has anyone encountered this? Should I just go ahead and tighten the screw or, perjhaps, remove the sight and try to flatten it out beforehand? Is Loctite called for? Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[jinx]

I have seen flat ones and those that have a built in bow to it. I believe the bow is there to act almost like a lock washer. From your photo, it appears the screw has backed out quite a ways. I would see what tightening the screw does. Hopefully it is not stripped out.

 

[qballwill]

if Im not mistaken the bow is what allows the for elevation adjustments. The upward tension is what allows the sight to rise when the elevation nut and screw are loosened. You can try to just screw it in with no adverse affects, but I will probably be better to loosen or remove the rear screw first, then tighten the front screw. After the front screw is tight, you can retighten the rear elevation screw. of course the gun will need to be sighted in again afterwards.

 

[qrachel]

I have a 686+ w/o the rear site warped. Interesting thread . . . thanks.

R

 

[MCVenner]

FIXED: 686Plus Rear Sight

Yesterday's contributions inspired me to stick some felt pads on a C-clamp, crank the raised portion of the sight back against the top strap, and -- with ease -- tighten the associated screw. With the clamp subsequently removed, the screw seems quite tight indeed. You can bet that I'll be paying particular attention to this in the future but, in the meantime, thanks to the respondants to my plea for help.

 

[Dave T]

Maybe it's because I'm getting to be an old geezer but I've been seeing this for years. Deputies on my department who carried revolvers would often show up for qualification or training (I was the dept's chief firearms instructor) with the front sight screw backing out. I or the armorer routinely tightened them down and told the deputy to check it every time they cleaned their revolver (which was seldom and part of the problem).

I've seen used S&Ws at gun shows, in pawn shops and even gun shops with the screw backing out. It's just not that unusual.

Dave