Rear sight question Pre Model 27

[Malysh]

My 1950 357 looks like the forward screw of the rear sight goes through the entire frame top strap and the tip is resting on the 12 O'Clock position on the top of the forcing cone.
At first I thought this was a piece of lead stuck in the small space. When magnified, it looks like the tip of the screw shaft.

I don't think this affects the function of the gun, but I must have 3 dozen revolvers and this is the only one with a target sight, so I have no experience with this.

If the screw hole is tapped clear through the top strap, does this weaken the frame?

Has anybody else seen this before?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Protocall_Design]

All of them have the hole drilled & tapped clear through the top strap. The newer guns have 3 bigger holes drilled & tapped through. It does not weaken the top strap in any meaningful way.

 

[Malysh]

Thanks.
I wasn't able to find any diagrams showing whether the screw hole went all the way through the top strap.
Since it was a standard assembly step I also think it wouldn't weaken the frame.

I guess this particular screw was a
little bit too long and was not backed out to shorten it so it would be flush with the bottom of the top strap.

 

[Vtgw938]

That would bug the **** out me and I doubt it came from the factory that way. I would shorten it or get another screw. I always remove the rear sight assembly when I get a gun, just because I want every screw and part to be removeable. Also, I seldom find a gun that has been used without some rust under the sight. Soak it with penetrating oil of some type and go easy if you remove it.

 

[Malysh]

Well, there are no obvious signs that the sight has been messed with. The screw looks original, no scratches or deformation in the slot.

It does bug me a little, though. I have no experience with these sights so I hesitate to remove this screw and replace it. I understand the portion of the front sight under that screw is actually a leaf spring. I don't know if changing the screw affects
anything at the rear of the sight.

I wouldn't know where to get another screw or what the screw dimensions are.

 

[Protocall_Design]

You can just grind or file that one a bit shorter and put it back in.

 

[Malysh]

So, removing the screw and putting it back won't affect the current elevation and windage settings?

 

[Protocall_Design]

As long as you leave the sight in place on the gun, nothing will move. If you take the sight off the gun, the elevation is likely to change as you try to put it back on. The windage won't move.

 

[Malysh]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answers.

I can manage to trim the screw and clean the threads, so I think I'll be OK.

 

[Malysh]

Well, the ^#^#& rear sight fell out of
the trough once I removed the sight leaf screw. So if the elevation was adjusted it's not the same now. I barely touched the assembly.

Vtgw938 was right, there were a few tiny rust spots in the channel. I rubbed them with a little break free and coated the bottom surface of the leaf with a little break free before I put the screw back in. I'll deal with them later.

My Brownells Magna tip worked OK, but I can tell it is not the exact right size. I didn't deform or scratch the screw head or slot, though.

What is the size Magnatip screwdriver bit for this screw?