I Quit

[tedog]

I tried and I tried to install a new rear sight blade on my 27, but my 64 year old eyes and large hands would not permit it. So what did I do, called on the better half with the little hands to perform the task. Well, she almost did it until she lost the first plunger, working in a plastic bag, I might add. She tried again, lost second plunger, found first plunger, tried again, lost first plunger again. I said enough, mailed sight and blade to S&W. Watch Larry Potterfield on youtube install one, he makes it look easy, no mention of the tiny spring or plunger. Correction, Larry does mention the spring and plunger, just does not tell you how to hold it down and get it into place without it flying out.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Reading glasses from the five-and-ten can help with the old eyes. Sometimes the right tools, like tweezers, can help with the hands. If all else fails, it doesn't hurt to be smart enough to quit, like you are.

 

[Bronco48]

A smart man knows his limitations! Good call, and you are braver than me!

 

[snowman]

I'm sorry that this happened to you. I've done a few of those, but it's definitely a delicate, tricky task. Hope you can find a solution soon.

Andy



P.S. To me, the even trickier part is staking the screw to the nut on the opposite end, so that it's not so tight that it won't turn properly, and not so loose that the whole assembly moves laterally and throws the windage off.

 

[ken158]

Where are you in WV? I would do it for you if you are close. There are tricks to doing this sucessfully but hard to explain.

 

[Maximumbob54]

So what got smashed?

 

[Hayfield123]

tedog, I have to ask the same as ken158 . . . Where in WV. I live near Martinsburg, am 63, so my eyes are almost as bad as yours, but am always looking for someone to go to the range with when my son is off to school or the Army Guard.

 

[tedog]

tedog, I have to ask the same as ken158 . . . Where in WV. I live near Martinsburg, am 63, so my eyes are almost as bad as yours, but am always looking for someone to go to the range with when my son is off to school or the Army Guard.

Ken & Hayfield, Thanks but I'll let S&W take care of it this time as I'ts in the mail. I live in north central WV About 40 miles south of the Mountaineers

 

[S&W revolverman]

tedog,

I was just driving through your area last week. If I'd had a couple of tools, I could've did the work while you waited. But, I am sure S&W will treat you right and the rear sight will be fine when you get it back.

chris

 

[dant]

a trick we use is the screw the blade almost all the way onto the 'screw' so it is overhanging the head of the screw, and using your fingernail or such, place the 'plunger & spring, into the hole and "nudge" the sight blade OVER it and this keeps the plunger down,, and out of the way, so you can slip it into the sight body..............
quite simple, quick and easy to do,,,,,,,,,,do enough them like we used to do and you'll get the hang of it...good luck, they (the factory) will take care of you.......
by the way, on the opposite end, when you screw on the 'nut', go all the way till it touches, almost snug, then just back it off "slightly" before you stake it in place...........all in all , a simple process.......

 

[snowman]

a trick we use is the screw the blade almost all the way onto the 'screw' so it is overhanging the head of the screw, and using your fingernail or such, place the 'plunger & spring, into the hole and "nudge" the sight blade OVER it and this keeps the plunger down,, and out of the way, so you can slip it into the sight body..............
quite simple, quick and easy to do,,,,,,,,,,do enough them like we used to do and you'll get the hang of it...good luck, they (the factory) will take care of you.......
by the way, on the opposite end, when you screw on the 'nut', go all the way till it touches, almost snug, then just back it off "slightly" before you stake it in place...........all in all , a simple process.......

Dan,

I knew I had learned some trick along the way to get the thing in, but forgot what it was until you mentioned it here. That's what I did too.

Re: staking the screw: Simple yes; easy(for me anyway)? No. Finding the correct placement of the nut isn't a problem, but I've found it tricky to actually stake the thing solidly so the nut doesn't turn on me. Guess I haven't used the right tool or something. What do you use?

Andy

 

[dant]

I use an "old" narrow screwdriver, that I cut off a bit on either side of "center" and then sharpen it so its almost a 'point' in the center and the total "end" ( side to side) is the width of the nut, so when you stake the center,it flairs out the side of the screw into the slots of the nut, does NOT take a lot, enough to put material in the slots to engage the nut, locks it 'in place" and turns 'freely' as ONE assembly.

the staking tool on the left, and two different size 'spanner' drivers on the right...........the far right one we seldom use......

 

[snowman]

Hey, thanks for posting that and including the picture; I think I may have a screwdriver that will work.

Andy

 

[tomcatt51]

Re: staking the screw: Simple yes; easy(for me anyway)? No. Finding the correct placement of the nut isn't a problem, but I've found it tricky to actually stake the thing solidly so the nut doesn't turn on me. Guess I haven't used the right tool or something. What do you use? Andy

I'm in the same boat. I'd always get the nut too tight or too loose. Usually really didn't matter much but was annoying. I quit staking them. I drill the flare to remove staked screws, and re-use the screw and nut. A (very) little 290 (wicking) Loctite in the center of the nut after adjusting it keeps it in place. I'm sure others will dis-agree.

 

[CALREB]

Tedog, 56 and been doing them for 20 yrs and I still let one fly , Im lucky have a drawer full next to the bench, so if a couple passes with the magnet dont work, I get another. Find some when I go through the vacuum before dumping.
The technique described above works best. I made a staking tool from an old punch, same nipple type end that spread the material into the slots in the nut.
One thing it took me a long time to learn , Dont get frustrated, lotsa things take time after time to get done and sometimes you gotta admit ,I cant do this. I find myself doing that more every year. Good luck. Bob

 

[dant]

proper tool and the proper 'staking' (no need to BASH it in..) and it will work just fine, the trouble with ANY form of 'Loctite' is 'control' of flow, you can and will lock up the entire rear sight assembly quite easily.
We've even been able to reuse (save?) the screw & nut as long as they were NOT 'staked' by the Hulk ,with a "BFH"............
bottom line , in a full service shop, we had the'spare' parts, no need to try and 'save" one, the finshed job looks BETTER, neatness does count.

 

[tomcatt51]

the trouble with ANY form of 'Loctite' is 'control' of flow, you can and will lock up the entire rear sight assembly quite easily.

Yep, it's necessary to use the correct product, correctly, and in the right amount. It is much easier to stake the windage nut and send them out with a sight that has sloppy loose end play. Not really a big deal but annoying and all too common.

 

[M1911-66]

I had read how this was an easy thing to do. Then I received my parts, took one look at the size of the spring and plunger, and promptly drove directly to my gunsmith. I paid him to install it.

 

[Engineer1911]

For some very skilled people, heart surgery is a simple every day task. I believe for most of us it is attempted murder. Go to the expert.