Model 66-1 rear sight problem.

[andyo5]

I have a new to me model 66-1 with what appears to be a loose sight blade. Full disclosure, I put the blade on myself a few weeks ago and I am wondering whether I made a mistake or whether the sight itself is out of spec.
The problem is that when I adjust windage, the sight blade moves as expected but after adjustment it can be wiggled somewhat left and right. So with just finger pressure against the blade, you can move it slightly and it will stay there. I have also noticed that when I pull up and push down on the blade, I can see the windage nut move up and down within the sight body. So I'm wondering whether the sight body is bad.

Also, I need a tool for installing the windage nut onto the screw. Brownell's sells one, but the feedback on that tool is pretty bad.
Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[chief38]

Some slight amount of play is normal - after all the Blade has to be able to move. Excess play could be due to wear however IF you installed a NEW one, it could have been manufactured to sloppy spec's. It's impossible to determine what the exact situating is without seeing it. I have seen some that appear to be slightly on the sloppy side - yet still shoot accurate and consistent.

The important thing is that the gun shoots consistently. If it does then it's OK. If it is inconsistent and incapable of holding accuracy, it needs replacement once again.

 

[Alk8944]

You didn't adjusr the windage screw nut properly. Did you stake the nut? If not the nut will tighten and loosen as windage is adjusted!

 

[andyo5]

You didn't adjusr the windage screw nut properly. Did you stake the nut? If not the nut will tighten and loosen as windage is adjusted!

I staked the nut. It is still staked. But I may not have tightened the windage screw enough before staking. I aimed to snug it up, then loosen it by 1/4 turn before staking. I was following directions on Larry Potterfield's YouTube video on this subject.

I am wondering if I may be able to tighten the nut some more after I get the tool from Brownell's, and then re-stake it.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Or maybe you have too much play in the windage's nut? You don't want it to be tight but you don't want it too loose either. (Back off about 1/4 turn from tight before you stake it.)

If it is too loose you can tighten the nut a bit then re-stake it.

I made my own windage nut (spanner) tool from a spare slotted 1/4" drive bit by filing it to the appropriate (forked) shape.

But honestly, if you just have a mico-screwdriver to fit in one side of the windage nut you can turn the nut from that one side enough to set the play, then stake it.

.

 

[andyo5]

Bluedot37, You are exactly right.
I found my modified screwdriver that I made years ago. It fit the windage nut. I was able to tighten it up, exposing more of the windage screw. I loosened it just a bit and tried to wiggle the sight left to right. I continued this until there was just a very tiny bit of movement. I then restaked the nut and readjusted the sight. It seems to be fine now. The up/down movement is also gone.
Thanks all for your help!