M&P 22Compact Rear sight
- Thread starter cmichael
- Start date
My elevation screw flew out at less than the 50 round mark and I lost the spring. 10 rounds later and the blade flew off though I found it. The windage screw had almost completely backed out. Smith is mailing me the elevation spring. However is there also a spring for the windage blade as I don't see one?
Rustynail70
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2010
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Hello Sent mine back a couple of months ago for same issue leading up the barrel too quickly. The barrels are poorly machined a rough bore if you will. Smith and do nothing Wesson said to use quality ammo and gave me a how to clean a gun barrel. This is getting to be a known issue with this pistol. Rough Bore on Compact .22? - RimfireCentral.com Forums
No issues with my 2 year old 22c.
I think S&W is cranking out guns in such volume that QC can't keep up. Unfortunately that is a frequent problem when a company experiences a surge in sales. S&W CS seems to be on the ball, although turn around time is longer than we'd like. Good companies eventually get a handle on these problems. Let's hope S&W falls into that category.
I think S&W is cranking out guns in such volume that QC can't keep up. Unfortunately that is a frequent problem when a company experiences a surge in sales. S&W CS seems to be on the ball, although turn around time is longer than we'd like. Good companies eventually get a handle on these problems. Let's hope S&W falls into that category.
Bud33
Member
Had my .22C a little over a year. I eats everything I feed it (that includes some old Remington I bought in 1960!) and the sights only moved once. That is when I adjusted the windage slightly.
After reading all these bad barrel reports, I got it out and checked. IT GLISTENS IN THE BRIGHT LIGHT!.
After reading all these bad barrel reports, I got it out and checked. IT GLISTENS IN THE BRIGHT LIGHT!.
I've had my .22 Compact for awhile and the only problem is I cannot adjust the rear sight, it seems to be locked in place. The gun shoots to POA so I decided to live with it and not send it back. Looks like I made the right decision.
Sight Blade Gone After 50 Rounds
My .22 Compact is in Springfield for sight repair as we speak. It is a brand new gun, but I believe it to be an earlier model since the barrel is flush with the slide. Somewhere between the fifth and sixth magazine at last week's initial firing, the rear blade went missing. We could not find it mostly due to the rocky terrain.
When I called S&W and began to tell my tale, she stopped me and said they are aware of the design flaw with the rear sight. She said if she sent me a new blade it would just fall out again, and that I would need to send the entire pistol in for a "sight replacement". I'm a little nervous now after reading some of these posts. Holding my breath.
On the up side, this thing shoots like a house afire. I cleaned the packing oil out and CLP'd it after taking possession from my FFL, and it performed perfectly (other than that pesky sight) in its debut. The sights were on target at 12 yards until I lost the blade after the fifth magazine. We decided to keep shooting because it was foremost a gun/ammo reliability outing. Without a hiccup, we fired two full magazines of each of the following:
1) Federal Auto Match------1200 fps
2) Federal Game Shok------1240 fps
3) Blazer LRN----------------1235 fps
4) Aguila Super Extra HV---1255 fps
5) CCI Velocitor-------------1435 fps
6) Federal Gold Mdl Target-1080 fps
7) CCI Mini-Mag-------------1235 fps
8) CCI Standard Velocity----1070 fps
9) Aguila Super Extra SV----1130 fps
All these rounds were assorted 40gr bullets. Obviously we were not experiencing the manufacturers' velocities listed above, but the Compact (at least mine) was 100% reliable with a wide variety of powder charges, from subsonic to hypervelocity. Nor was there a problem with rapid fire.
I did not experience any leading problems, and ran a brush through a couple of times before packing it up to send to S&W. I hope Smith does not pass on a jerry-rigged fix for the rear sight, as I do not have the patience to be playing back and forth mail tag to make the Compact right. All in all, I really like the gun. In my experience, it enjoys a smorgasbord of different ammos and is both fun and comfortable to shoot. I'd be bragging to say that I even have medium hands, so a handgun that really fits me is an unexpected bonus.
Let's hope the mothership can get the sight and barrel bugs ironed out, because I'm really wanting S&W to have a successful .22 pistol to complement the very fine SW22 Victory.
My .22 Compact is in Springfield for sight repair as we speak. It is a brand new gun, but I believe it to be an earlier model since the barrel is flush with the slide. Somewhere between the fifth and sixth magazine at last week's initial firing, the rear blade went missing. We could not find it mostly due to the rocky terrain.
When I called S&W and began to tell my tale, she stopped me and said they are aware of the design flaw with the rear sight. She said if she sent me a new blade it would just fall out again, and that I would need to send the entire pistol in for a "sight replacement". I'm a little nervous now after reading some of these posts. Holding my breath.
On the up side, this thing shoots like a house afire. I cleaned the packing oil out and CLP'd it after taking possession from my FFL, and it performed perfectly (other than that pesky sight) in its debut. The sights were on target at 12 yards until I lost the blade after the fifth magazine. We decided to keep shooting because it was foremost a gun/ammo reliability outing. Without a hiccup, we fired two full magazines of each of the following:
1) Federal Auto Match------1200 fps
2) Federal Game Shok------1240 fps
3) Blazer LRN----------------1235 fps
4) Aguila Super Extra HV---1255 fps
5) CCI Velocitor-------------1435 fps
6) Federal Gold Mdl Target-1080 fps
7) CCI Mini-Mag-------------1235 fps
8) CCI Standard Velocity----1070 fps
9) Aguila Super Extra SV----1130 fps
All these rounds were assorted 40gr bullets. Obviously we were not experiencing the manufacturers' velocities listed above, but the Compact (at least mine) was 100% reliable with a wide variety of powder charges, from subsonic to hypervelocity. Nor was there a problem with rapid fire.
I did not experience any leading problems, and ran a brush through a couple of times before packing it up to send to S&W. I hope Smith does not pass on a jerry-rigged fix for the rear sight, as I do not have the patience to be playing back and forth mail tag to make the Compact right. All in all, I really like the gun. In my experience, it enjoys a smorgasbord of different ammos and is both fun and comfortable to shoot. I'd be bragging to say that I even have medium hands, so a handgun that really fits me is an unexpected bonus.
Let's hope the mothership can get the sight and barrel bugs ironed out, because I'm really wanting S&W to have a successful .22 pistol to complement the very fine SW22 Victory.
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OldGoat
Member
Sounds like Victory problems are following the 22C issues. Maybe I ought to dump my 22C? Already postponed any thoughts of buying a Victory until quality problems subside. Ya think? Regards, Ed
OldGoat
Member
Just checked the rear sight and the bore of my 22C which is about 2 months old with about 150 rounds fired. Both sight and bore are like new.....then I checked the dates of the postings on this thread. Appears most of the issues were identified in 2015. Very few problems in 2016 and one appears to have occurred in an older gun. Worth noting the dates of these posts. Regards, Ed
I am noticing the earlier dates on many of these posts. Since my Compact doesn't even have the protruding barrel/thread protector I'm pretty confident it was manufactured a good while back. The lack of current complaints leads me to think Smith has remedied the sight situation anyway and will just drift in a new and improved rear sight assembly on my slide and the issue will go away. Good catch, Ed.
Lost my 22c rear sight blade after just a few shots it was dead on so I didn't try to adjust anything seemed tight . I called and they wanted it returned instead of just sending me a rear sight blade I'll just wait until a good aftermarket sight is available I still shoot it just fine.
Bad Rear Sight
Same here guys. Lost the Blade and Screw after just 20 rounds and also noticed the buildup.
I did some investigating after I found this excellent thread and decided to share my thoughts on the matter.
Let me start by saying that I am a Machinist by trade.
In my opinion the problem with both the Top Adjuster and set screw on the side is that the threads are way loose. Clearance hole for the Elevation Screw is about 0.093" the Screw comes in at 0.109" now take .109 - .093 that equals just .016 now divide that by 2 and you will get ONLY .008" per side for the engagement of the Screw. That is not enough!
I am not close to my tools at the time of this writing so I am only assuming that it is a #4-40 thread or its Metric cousin. Anyway, the hole size is to large and because of that the sight will never stay on target. This is only my Opinion, take it like you want. In Closing, Smith & Wesson should be ashamed to put out such "JUNK" I don't care if it is cheap, the workmanship on this firearm is poor at best.
Same here guys. Lost the Blade and Screw after just 20 rounds and also noticed the buildup.
I did some investigating after I found this excellent thread and decided to share my thoughts on the matter.
Let me start by saying that I am a Machinist by trade.
In my opinion the problem with both the Top Adjuster and set screw on the side is that the threads are way loose. Clearance hole for the Elevation Screw is about 0.093" the Screw comes in at 0.109" now take .109 - .093 that equals just .016 now divide that by 2 and you will get ONLY .008" per side for the engagement of the Screw. That is not enough!
I am not close to my tools at the time of this writing so I am only assuming that it is a #4-40 thread or its Metric cousin. Anyway, the hole size is to large and because of that the sight will never stay on target. This is only my Opinion, take it like you want. In Closing, Smith & Wesson should be ashamed to put out such "JUNK" I don't care if it is cheap, the workmanship on this firearm is poor at best.
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22C sights
New forum member and new (and first) pistol owner, so my lingo is likely not up to snuff.
I recently bought a 22C. I've shot it about 3 times now, with no real issues until today. I tried to adjust the rear sights to the left, as my pattern was consistently to the right. I noticed the rear slide dots were far enough to the left that the left one was starting to get hidden by the frame. When in that position, it would pop out and fall on the floor. A helpful, knowledgeable range guy put it back together for me.
Once I started to adjust windage again, it popped out again. Being at an indoor range, it was fairly easily found. Once I got home I looked at the slide and sight base to see what would cause that. The slide appears to have a bump near the bottom to fit into a slot in the base, allowing it to slide right/left. It looks to be installed via a key-way that is accessible to the bump when the slide is fully left - where I kept adjusting to, in order to get the gun sighted.
I would not say the set screw is overly loose, so I'm hoping it will stay put, unlike others commenting here.
After watching a YouTube review of the gun, I heard the front site is "driftable" as well. When looking at the front, indeed it appears that front site is not centered on the barrel centerline. I assume, once I get the front better aligned, I should be able to align the rear so it is not way left, allowing it to fall out of its guide.
Now to look around to see how that front site can be tweaked. I see no screws or other obvious way to adjust that. Any suggestions?
I hope this helps others having this issue with what appears to be a pretty nice gun.
New forum member and new (and first) pistol owner, so my lingo is likely not up to snuff.
I recently bought a 22C. I've shot it about 3 times now, with no real issues until today. I tried to adjust the rear sights to the left, as my pattern was consistently to the right. I noticed the rear slide dots were far enough to the left that the left one was starting to get hidden by the frame. When in that position, it would pop out and fall on the floor. A helpful, knowledgeable range guy put it back together for me.
Once I started to adjust windage again, it popped out again. Being at an indoor range, it was fairly easily found. Once I got home I looked at the slide and sight base to see what would cause that. The slide appears to have a bump near the bottom to fit into a slot in the base, allowing it to slide right/left. It looks to be installed via a key-way that is accessible to the bump when the slide is fully left - where I kept adjusting to, in order to get the gun sighted.
I would not say the set screw is overly loose, so I'm hoping it will stay put, unlike others commenting here.
After watching a YouTube review of the gun, I heard the front site is "driftable" as well. When looking at the front, indeed it appears that front site is not centered on the barrel centerline. I assume, once I get the front better aligned, I should be able to align the rear so it is not way left, allowing it to fall out of its guide.
Now to look around to see how that front site can be tweaked. I see no screws or other obvious way to adjust that. Any suggestions?
I hope this helps others having this issue with what appears to be a pretty nice gun.
You are on the way to success! The Rear sight is a joke so just do yourself a favor and do what I did. Get a new set of Sights.
I picked me up a Williams Fireset 70915 S&W M&P on eBay today for $34, it seems that there are some good reviews out on that set. I just have to wait and see. Personally I like the Fiber Sights but it's because I can see them better then the Stock white dot.
Use some Loctite 242 on the threads that will help keep everything together. Happy Shooting!
I picked me up a Williams Fireset 70915 S&W M&P on eBay today for $34, it seems that there are some good reviews out on that set. I just have to wait and see. Personally I like the Fiber Sights but it's because I can see them better then the Stock white dot.
Use some Loctite 242 on the threads that will help keep everything together. Happy Shooting!
I've read many folks do that. I don't mind doing improvements, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to start putting more money into something just to make it work like it should to start. I'll update when I get a chance to adjust that front sight and see how the rear works out then.
I was thinking the exact same thing as you but I was so mad about this whole situation and the fact that it would take up to 7 weeks to get it replaced by S&W that I just went ahead and made that small investment. I wear glasses and it so happens that I can see better with the Fiber Sights anyway so at least I can look at it as a win/win lol
update
I think what I reported is correct. I went to the range today and had their gunsmith tweak the front sight (free of course - warranty or good will?). Went to shoot a few and proceeded to tweak the rear sight to center things. Probably shot over 100 rounds, playing with the sight adjustment back and forth. It did not fall once. The rear sight is still a hair to the left based on the mount it sits in, but at least now I am pretty close to centered and it stays together. Hooray!
If you are referring to Williams Gunsight in Davison, Michigan for that new rear sight, that is where I bought the gun and had the front sight adjusted. The were very good about it. I actually had them tweak it a second time to get that rear sight even further over. Shot it again today with no issues (other than that screw needing some Loctite I think). Surprised they did not try to sell me a new sight! I also dabbed a little day-glow paint from Walmart on the dull white dots - much better now. Happy camper...
I think what I reported is correct. I went to the range today and had their gunsmith tweak the front sight (free of course - warranty or good will?). Went to shoot a few and proceeded to tweak the rear sight to center things. Probably shot over 100 rounds, playing with the sight adjustment back and forth. It did not fall once. The rear sight is still a hair to the left based on the mount it sits in, but at least now I am pretty close to centered and it stays together. Hooray!
If you are referring to Williams Gunsight in Davison, Michigan for that new rear sight, that is where I bought the gun and had the front sight adjusted. The were very good about it. I actually had them tweak it a second time to get that rear sight even further over. Shot it again today with no issues (other than that screw needing some Loctite I think). Surprised they did not try to sell me a new sight! I also dabbed a little day-glow paint from Walmart on the dull white dots - much better now. Happy camper...
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Sorry to bump an old thread, but can someone check to see if the blade is metal? Mine fell off after 60 rounds. I know the general area it fell, in grass, but was hoping to use a magnet if someone can confirm it will work.
1st time pistol owner, now can't shoot!!
But hey those 60 rounds were awesome!
1st time pistol owner, now can't shoot!!
But hey those 60 rounds were awesome!
