K-38 Masterpiece Rear Sight Compatibility

[scttmr2000]

I have an older Revolver. I am not sure of the year, but I got it from my grandfather with box and all. S/N is K221 236.

My question is the following:

when I was at the range, my elevation stud fell out, and I lost it. I tried to buy one off other websites, and the threads on the new one's do not seem to match the threads on the nut.

So I bought a new elevation nut. The threads now fit, but there is a plunger spring and pin that goes in a tiny hole in the elevation nut. This keeps it locked into the sight. It is also what allows it to just turn by quarter clicks. This follows a tiny groove. It seems like the new elevation nut's hole for the plunger spring and pin is slightly higher, so it will not lock into the groove. I'm sorry, this is hard to visualize, but anyone that knows this gun will know exactly what I am talking about.

are the older revolver sights compatible with the newer parts? Smith and Wesson told me to get it off the websites that I already purchased these from, and they didn't work. Maybe it was the operator, and not the equipment, but I tried and tried to get it to fit in there, then eventually lost the plunger pin now, because it flew across the room.

This was a really sweet gun. I want to shoot it again with an actual sight. Please anyone have any advise to get this working again. If sites are not compatible, can I install new sites? Do any of you know of any smiths in Denver that can help me out?

Parts I have are the new elevation stud, the new elevation nut, the old elevation nut, and actual windage components and tiny screw that goes into the frame. I am missing the original elevation stud, and now I am missing the plunger pin and spring. Those should be universal, I would think.

 

[daddio202]

I am surprised nobody has posted anything relating to your question. I don't know the answer myself but if you asked this same question in the gunsmithing section you will surely get some response.

 

[Toyman]

Repost your message in gun smithing section you will have better luck getting an answer.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I would try ebay for a complete rear sight.

Get a large plastic bag and re-assemble the rear sight inside of the bag. Yes, those tiny springs and plunger will travel to Never-Never Land.

 

[murphydog]

Moved to Gunsmithing section.

 

[austintexas]

sight

I've been having good luck picking up rear sights at gunshows. Usually someone in the show someone will have a box of Smith & Wesson parts. Take the old sight with you because Smith and Wesson changed the position of the mounting screw. I've paid as little as $10.00 to as much as $45.00 for a complete sight.
SWCA 892

 

[toad67]

I just went thru the same thing on one of mine, but don't remember a groove that the plunger rode in. The elevator stud, underneath, is what holds the elevator nut on, so it doesn't ride up. I ended up buying the parts from Jack First, out of SD. IIRC, something changed around 1990, or so and I believe that's why the threads are different.

You searched for smith and wesson rear sight - Jack First Inc. Gunsmithing Excellence Since 1954.

 

[mmande]

Be aware that there is a groove around the base of the elevation nut that has a round spring wire that holds it in place in the sight body after the spring & plunger have been installed. I see that Jack First has the tiny plunger but I did not see any of the tiny springs to go with it.
The "pre" models had a courser thread on the windage and elevation screws. That is why they don't work with the newer ones. You are correct in that the spring & plunger did not change so you could buy a complete sight assembly just to get the tiny spring. (Windage & elevation are the same spring and plunger.)
Good luck;
Mike

 

[scttmr2000]

Toad67, were you able to get the elevation stud with correct threads on it for the older revolver? I am looking now at Jack First, and there are a lot of parts to go through. I see someone said they didn't see the spring, but I found a spring and plunger on Midway, I think, but I'll have to look again. I cant' imagine that those would change much. I will find the plunger on the site you recommended and look for the spring on midway, then I just need the elevation stud with correct threads, and I can get it back together, using a plastic bag like suggested earlier.

This is all great information. Thanks for everyone's responses. I will keep everyone posted. I haven't quite figured out the site yet, and whether I can narrow my search down for the K38 mid to late 50s or if I have to go page by page. For now I am going page by page. Fingers crossed.

 

[scttmr2000]

update

So, I didn't lose the spring for the plunger. I just bought the elevation stud from Jack First and plunger. The age was '57 though '88 K frame. I hope mine is in this range. The moderator told me he thinks mine is from mid to late 50's. He said it was probably 5 screw. Mine does have 4 screws and S/N is in my first thread. There is also some numbers in the yoke. S/N is K 221 236 and Yoke number is M 33424 7. I also through in a picture of the original case. That is really neat that my grandfather had that with it. It is very fun to shoot. Hopefully this will be restored to the original condition before i lost that piece.

Thanks again for everyone's advice. I am happy I signed up to this site.

I will post an update after I get the parts, and hopefully my fat fingers can get the job done this time- In a plastic bag of course. Haha.

 

[scttmr2000]

Update on my rear sight

I received the plunger and elevation stud from Jack First. I am getting close, I think. The elevation stud does not work with the newer elevation nut that I bought a while ago, however, it also doesn't work with my old elevation nut. So, I think I can deduce that my threads on my original elevation nut are damaged. Since the stud threads do not fit the newer style nut, I think they are probably going to work if I buy the old nut on Jack first. Then if I get the old nut on jack first, the hole in the nut where the spring and plunger are located should ride in the correct spot to do their jobs, which the new nut doesn't.

Hope this all makes sense. It does to me. I will keep you all posted. I am getting impatient though, I am gong to try and find the full sight as well on EBAY, like Muley Gil recommended.