Rear Sight: Would this concern you?

[Jim Watson]

Shoot some standard weight bullets, 148 gr wadcutter, 158 gr roundnose or semiwadcutter.

I once tried shooting 125 gr bullets at PPC 7 and 15 yard line instead of the usual 148 gr wadcutters. They were accurate enough at that short range and had very little recoil, but they required a windage change as well as elevation adjustment. I was not willing to try to keep track of that, so went back to 148s for all ranges.

 

[Arik]

Not imagining things. That's the infamous sideplate crack, where they just screwed the sideplate onto the frame, instead of welding it and refinishing, a somewhat more expensive process. Most of us just put up with it, since it does NOT affect the POI, and makes cleaning a little easier.

As far as the rear sight, I, too have seen worse. While I guess I would prefer it to be perfectly centered, if it shoots to POA now, and you like the gun, I would leave well enough alone.

I suppose you could try to get S&W to replace your gun with one with sights that might be better centered and probably with a DA pull that isn't as good. I wouldn't.

I thought the side plate is supposed to come on and off for cleaning and repair. Welding shut would defeat that purpose

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Arik]

Definitely try different weight ammo

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[Paul105]

I shot the following target from a rest at 25 yds with different loads, same sight setting and same point of aim (big middle diamond) . Only shot 2 of each load to reduce the effect of recoil induced fatigue and target clutter.

This is why I prefer adjustable sights.

Paul

 

[nevada duke]

Scruffy, I have one question, are you right or left handed? My old friend who is left handed always has to adjust his sights similar to what you posted. I once loaned him my precious model 624 to take to the Nevada Cast Boolit shoot to use in the stake shoot contest. Told him to adjust the sights anywhere he needed and not worry about it as I could readjust later. The revolver came back with the sight looking just like your picture. Our theory is that the revolver, in recoil, tends to move to the weak part of your grip. Away from your palm and towards the thumb or open side of your grip. So, right or left handed? Wouldn't be the first shooting theory to go down in smoke and flames. Waiting for your reply.

Best regards, Nevada duke

 

[Krogen]

If it works for you, then I suggest you just go with it. Nearly all of my adjustable sight S&Ws have the same "defect." Only mine are shifted off to the right. It's just the way I shoot. Nevada Duke has a good point. Are you a lefty? I'm a righty and my sights are opposite yours.

 

[Ed Fowler]

Here is what you need. A couple of good whacks will do it. . . .

I usually tell people that watching a gunsmith beat on a fine S&W with a babbitt is not something for the faint of heart.

S&W took some of their top men to a match and offered to work on contestants S&Ws. When the first client went nuts over them using the babbitt, they had to move the gunsmiths behind a screen so clients could not watch. As told me by Johnny Contro, a good man who taught police armorers.

 

[Dennis]

Back in the 70's when i started shooting revolvers all my sights had to be adjusted to the right. After enough rounds downrange and experience, they are all pretty damned well centered. Maybe i'm just lucky. Have a good revolver shooter try it. And try some different types of ammo. Otherwise, it's not so bad. That's why they are adjustable.

 

[MJFlores]

The first thing you need to do is shoot off a rest to determine mif the sights really need to be liked that. If they do, then you have a decision to make. The fact that you're asking tells me that it's not acceptable to have sights adjusted way over to compensate for a NON centered barrel. If that had fixed sights would you be comfortable holding off center to hit something? Personally, that sight picture would drive me crazy! For what we pay for new S&W revolvers, it should have NEVER left S&W like that. I had a model 629 like that, and sent it back twice for repair and now the barrel is on straight just like it should have been from day one. The sights are perfectly centered, it's very accurate, and I'm happy with it. I would sen it back on their dime and make them fix it, swap it for another gun that's built correctly, or refund your money. You may have to send it back multiple times like I did, but it'll eventually come back with proper barrel to frame alignment. S&W will never change until we all hold them accountable to either build a proper revolver worthy of their asking price, or drastically reduce the price so they can continue pushing these revolvers with crooked barrels, mis-threaded frames, and the worst finishes of any gun company out there. I know I sound harsh towards S&W, but for an American product we should all expect much better. They're capable of a lot better, and we deserve it for what they ask in prices these days. You'll eventually be happy you did.

 

[blues7]

S&W took some of their top men to a match and offered to work on contestants S&Ws. When the first client went nuts over them using the babbitt, they had to move the gunsmiths behind a screen so clients could not watch. As told me by Johnny Contro, a good man who taught police armorers.

Hey Ed, good to see you here. You never know who you're going to run into. Won't be at the Blade Show (again) this year but hope that if you are you have a good one.

Elliott (Blues from bladeforums)

Back on topic:

I have the adjustable sights on my 686+ an almost commensurate amount shifted to the right side. Not quite as much. I can find nothing otherwise amiss with the firearm at this juncture. That said, I did not sight it in supported so that is what I will do the next time I have an opportunity to do so.

Lots of good information in this thread.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The first thing you need to do is shoot off a rest to determine mif the sights really need to be liked that.

I disagree. Shooting off a rest is a good way to check accuracy, but not a good way to check POI. POI often or usually varies with the support method. I have a 1917 reproduction that I never cock, because it shoots to POA with its present grips, a two-hand hold, and DA. Cock the gun, and it shoots higher. I could probably fix that without touching the sights, but my main point here is that POI varies with support, and should be tested with the support (and grip) that you believe you will be using when you fire the gun "for real."

If your groups are reasonably small, you don't need a rest at all, unless that is your planned use of the revolver, like maybe varmint hunting?

 

[muddocktor]

scruffy, it's already been said here, but from that picture you posted it definitely looks like your whole rear sight is canted to the right. with the left side being higher than the right side. That could be at least part of the reason why you had to adjust the sight blade over so far. You might want to remove the sight assembly and see if there is something under it that is causing the canted sight issue if it bothers you that much.

Not imagining things. That's the infamous sideplate crack, where they just screwed the sideplate onto the frame, instead of welding it and refinishing, a somewhat more expensive process. Most of us just put up with it, since it does NOT affect the POI, and makes cleaning a little easier.

Guy, I don't know what you are saying here, as any and all Smith & Wesson revolvers have a sideplate and they are most decidedly not welded shut. This one might be a little more prominent than some others, but they will all have a removable sideplate and all will show a seam there. If you are trying to be funny with someone who might be new to revolvers, it wasn't. If you meant something else then you need to post a little clearer.

 

[zonker5]

There is nothing wrong with this gun.

Guns shoot to different POIs due to variations in the shooter; grip, trigger pull and eye ball. Ammo selected will also make a difference. That is why the sights are adjustable.

 

[Russell Cottle]

It's a 'non-issue'......

 

[BigMuddy]

Not sure if it's your camera angle, but I too think the entire sight is canted. I say this as a friend just purchased a new M25 that had this issue. The sight when removed is actually twisted.

Smith would NOT send him a new rear sight without him returning the defective one, even though he sent pictures showing the issue. He wanted a sight sent out so he could shoot his "new" gun but I guess they didn't trust him to return the defective sight. He even offered his CC number and told them to run it if he didn't return the twisted sight to them but they still refused. So now he has to wait to shoot a new in the box handgun which for Smith's "policy" has lost them a customer for life. Guaranteed he will never buy another S&W product again. (same friend recently sent a M15 in for repair that after a large bill came back no better than when it was sent)

Dan

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Guy, I don't know what you are saying here, as any and all Smith & Wesson revolvers have a sideplate and they are most decidedly not welded shut. This one might be a little more prominent than some others, but they will all have a removable sideplate and all will show a seam there. If you are trying to be funny with someone who might be new to revolvers, it wasn't. If you meant something else then you need to post a little clearer.

Yes, I think that most of us, including the person whose question I quoted, know about removable sideplates. Whether or not my attempt at humor was successful, you might learn better by taking a poll than by using your own reaction, although neither method is perfect. However, I don't think that I either misled or insulted the person whose question I quoted, and he may have even found my post funny - note that he is one of two members who gave it a "like."

 

[F75gunslinger]

I have my 625 JM sighted in for 230 grain plated RN but sometimes shoot my carry ammo which features a 185 grain Speer Gold Dot at 1050 fps. Every time I shoot with the SD load I have to remember to aim 3 inches left at 10 yards.

A piece of advice if I may...adjust the sights to your carry load, and then, if you go to the range, remember THEN to shoot 3 inches to the left. If you ever need the gun for defense , your fine motor skills will be lessened . It would be far easier to just have the sights adjusted for the defense load since , in all likely hood , your going to shoot center of mass anyway.

For better sighting in, though, I'd use a rest and either quality target ammunition or, if a defense gun, the load it will be carrying .

This seems counter intuitive to me. If he adjusts his grip/hold/trigger control to get the sight to be centered and on target, great. But shooting off a rest to adjust the sights for carry use seems backward to me, as he won't have the rest if he needs to defend himself. I think he's better off adjusting the sights to how he uses the gun by instinct rather than trying to change how he does something that is natural to him.

In my opinion, if you've got the sights set so you're hitting where you aim at whatever distance you have chosen, then there isn't anything else to do. Practice and perhaps, in time , you'll find the right combination to adjust the rear sight back some. But honestly, since it's been proven that fine motor skills more or less go out the window when SHTF,it's better to have it hit where you want to little to no adjusting/moving grip or stance. My $.02.