I suspect my fixed sight revolver (S&W M10 4" HB) to be out of alignment.

[khpe]

After a local gun smith remounted the barrel on my S&W M10 all the shots hits in a 3" tight group to the left on the target.

(the average hit-point is ca 3 inches to the left of the bulls eye. Shooting distance is 27 yards)

Since this is a fixed sight revolver I of course think that maybe the gun is destroyed.

But when I controlled the angle between the horizontal flat underside on the barrel (Heavy barrel) and the straight vertical side of the frame by means of two machinist rulers. -- This angle was NOT perpendicular (90 degree) as I would expect it to be.

I will think that this angle deviation could explain the deviation between the sight point and the hits on the target.

To get the angle correct the barrel had to be screwed clockwise (seen from the front, into the barrel) into the frame.


It would be great if someone have any comments to this.



Best regards,
khpe

 

[OKFC05]

After a local gun smith remounted the barrel on my S&W M10

Have you discussed this with said smith? That would seem the place to start?

 

[Pisgah]

Sounds like it may need to be slightly tightened. This may reuqire removing it, machining a bit off the shoulder of the barrel, shortening the forcing cone a hair, and reinstalling; or, if it has a bit of room to spare, it may just need to be turned in a bit more, bringing the sight up to center.

 

[Iggy]

The gun is a long way from being destroyed.

Some tinkering with the barrel by someone who knows what they are doing, should bring it back to where it shoots just fine.

 

[Spotteddog]

What the gents above said. She, like Mark Twain, is a long way from eternity.

 

[GLV]

According to a formula I have used for many years, your front sight needs to be moved .019 thousands to the left.

You can find the formula in the 'Wheelgun Chronicles' at Evan Marshall - Handgun Stopping Power

 

[bogman]

Just curious, why did your bbl. have to be remounted ?

 

[khpe]

Just curious, why did your bbl. have to be remounted ?

I am shamed to say that it was due to a bullet stucked in the barrel.

 

[aterry33]

Can someone describe how fixed sighted revolvers are sighted in? Does it involve moving the front sight, the barrel, and/or other parts?

 

[nicky4968]

One could take a file to the front sight post or the rear sight notch and carefully make adjustments. (This involves removing extremely small amounts of metal and you have to end up with everthing being perfectly square).

If only a small or moderate adjustment is necessary, you can:
1. Change your bullet/load.
2. Change your grip and/or stance.

I would highly recommend #1 or #2 and exhaust all reasonable possibilities before you even think of attempting anything with a file. Once the metal is removed it can't be put back. If you go too far with the front sight post, for example, you must make corrections at the rear sight notch. Once you take a file to a gun you have seriously impacted its resale value. You are more or less "stuck" with it for the rest of your life.

If your revolver/pistol shoots reasonably close to center of mass at 15 or 25 yards, don't bother, unless you're going to shoot in a match at the Bisley range in England.