I got about twenty five reloads for my 32-20, from a friend the other day. I have this revolver, 1905 third change, 4 inch barrel that is numbered different than the frame, marked 32 Winchester. I shot some of the reloads at 15 yds. and, I think, they shoot about 8-10 inches high. I will make a different target tomorrow (read bigger target) so I can more accurately see how high it is shooting. The front sight on this old revolver has also been filed to about half the height, revolver reblued at some point in time. Besides changing my point of aim, is there anyway to get it to shoot lower? Revolver dates 1909 and barrel 1913.
SHOOTING WAY HIGH
- Thread starter Igiveup
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8-10 inches high at 15 yds? Front sight filed down to about half it's original height?
Well, THERE'S your problem!
Sounds like someone altered the front sight to either
1) use non-standard loads or
2) use a non-standard sight picture - maybe with the top of the front sight aligned with at the bottom of the rear sight notch and the POA/POI centered in the rear sight groove? Just a thought.
Is that front sight pinned or otherwise replaceable? Some photos of the gun in question would be very helpful in answering the original question.
Well, THERE'S your problem!
Sounds like someone altered the front sight to either
1) use non-standard loads or
2) use a non-standard sight picture - maybe with the top of the front sight aligned with at the bottom of the rear sight notch and the POA/POI centered in the rear sight groove? Just a thought.
Is that front sight pinned or otherwise replaceable? Some photos of the gun in question would be very helpful in answering the original question.
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Have you tried.....
....using light bullets at higher velocity are supposed to shoot lower than heavier bullets at low velocity. Maybe the load can help, but that is a rather extreme 'modification' to the sight.
....using light bullets at higher velocity are supposed to shoot lower than heavier bullets at low velocity. Maybe the load can help, but that is a rather extreme 'modification' to the sight.
Sounds like you are going to have to build up or replace that front sight. It would be very helpful if you can post photos of what you've got so people here can compare them to what they've got and (presumably) would you should have.
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Pictures of the sight in question would be helpful, but one way or the other you are going to have to have the front sight restored to its original height. Depending on what's left of it, there are several options. Welding on a new piece to the existing stub sight, possibly brazing on a completely new front sight after milling off the stub, but this all depends on what is actually left there now.
Inland7-45
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1905 HE 32-20
I have one made in 1913 that is a great shooter. The finish is original with about 85-90% coverage that has remained mostly blue with some patina. It has that look that I like to see in a 100 plus year old gun that has been around. The front sight is unaltered and I am able to work around any point of aim issues.
The good thing about the front sight design on these guns is that the sight base is a bit wider than the blade. This would allow enough material for a gunsmith to machine the sight blade off even with the base and then mill a slot the same width as the sight blade through the base. The next step is to drill a hole for a cross pin to retain the blade. Blades of different heights but same profile can be fabricated from brass or soft steel and painted or blued. If you need to go up or down it will be easy to change blades.
My gun is a 5” and I have been shooting 115 grain Missouri Bullet Co RNFB with a full charge of AA # using data from Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. The Missouri Bullets are great and I recommend them to anyone who is not interested in casting their own. I have been using their 100 gr RNFP for .32 S&WL and 145 gr RN for .38 S&W . I will soon be casting my own 100 and 115 gr .32s but I am glad that I found the Missouri Bullets to get started.
These are great old guns and a lot of fun to shoot.I will soon have an 1892 Win Short Rifle in 32-20 to go with mine.
I have one made in 1913 that is a great shooter. The finish is original with about 85-90% coverage that has remained mostly blue with some patina. It has that look that I like to see in a 100 plus year old gun that has been around. The front sight is unaltered and I am able to work around any point of aim issues.
The good thing about the front sight design on these guns is that the sight base is a bit wider than the blade. This would allow enough material for a gunsmith to machine the sight blade off even with the base and then mill a slot the same width as the sight blade through the base. The next step is to drill a hole for a cross pin to retain the blade. Blades of different heights but same profile can be fabricated from brass or soft steel and painted or blued. If you need to go up or down it will be easy to change blades.
My gun is a 5” and I have been shooting 115 grain Missouri Bullet Co RNFB with a full charge of AA # using data from Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. The Missouri Bullets are great and I recommend them to anyone who is not interested in casting their own. I have been using their 100 gr RNFP for .32 S&WL and 145 gr RN for .38 S&W . I will soon be casting my own 100 and 115 gr .32s but I am glad that I found the Missouri Bullets to get started.
These are great old guns and a lot of fun to shoot.I will soon have an 1892 Win Short Rifle in 32-20 to go with mine.
Pisgah
Member
Weld up and reshape the front sight; or, machine off sight blade, mill a slot, pin in a blade, file to height.
Oscar Zulu
Member
Look up "Wondersight." It's an adjustable rear sight that attaches at the 5th screw location. It probably won't adjust to an 8-10 inch difference, but it will help.
I agree that a new front sight is in order.
OZ
I agree that a new front sight is in order.
OZ
OP
I'm not good at doing pictures, but plain and simple, the front sight has half of the sight filed down. The barrel is 1913 and the revolver 1909, non- matching. I will talk to our only gunsmith about welding up the front sight, and will also look for a replacement barrel. The revolver is fun to shoot, I have acquired around 100 brass, new and once fired, got the new set of dies, a sample pack of bullets coming from Badman Bullets here in Oregon, got the powder and primers and am ready to reload, after I figure out the problem. I have acquired a bunch of Unique powder for my 38 spl., and got it before Biden and the China flu. Thank you guys for the replies.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Like said already, a picture would.help and so would bullet weight. It sure does sound like your front sight is the problem. Hopefully it can be replaced or built up correctly.
Green Frog
Member
OZ,
For most early revolvers with original front sights, this might be a good place to start, but since the Wondersight raises the rear sight at least a little bit when all the way down, installing one with a shortened front sight will add to whether than eliminate his problem. The WS can be very useful, just not in this application.
Froggie
OP
Inland7-45, what is the caliber reading on your 1913 revolver. My barrel dates to 1913 with "32 Winchester" for the caliber.
Igiveup, can you post some photos of your revolver?
As a couple of us have already said, pictures would be VERY helpful in trying to diagnose the issue and how to resolve it.
Besides, we REALLY like pictures of these old classic revolvers.
If you need help figuring out how to post pictures, just speak up and say so - you'll get the help you need.
As a couple of us have already said, pictures would be VERY helpful in trying to diagnose the issue and how to resolve it.
Besides, we REALLY like pictures of these old classic revolvers.
If you need help figuring out how to post pictures, just speak up and say so - you'll get the help you need.
AJ
US Veteran
Good luck on getting it fixed. A friend has the same type of problem with a 1917.
OP
BC38, I am somewhat technically challenged when it comes to posting picture on this forum. If you give me some pointers, I will try. Perhaps tomorrow I can get my wife to figure it out. She has done it a couple times before. In the mean time, I am going to town tomorrow and talk to the gunsmith about perhaps tig welding the sight up to where I can shoot and file until I get it right, or run out of ammo.
Igiveup - I just sent you a short tutorial on how to post pictures as a Private Message (PM) if you are interested in giving it a try.
I'm really interested in seeing this front sight.
I'm really interested in seeing this front sight.
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Bullseye Smith
Member
Don't file that front sight, it will shoot higher, the gun was designed to point and shoot, made for a gun fight with bad guys.
Umm, yeah, you might want to read ALL of the posts in the thread before giving advise.
The owner of the revolver in question has already acknowledged that he knows and understands that his front sight has been cut down until it is too short, and that is why it is shooting too high.
In light of that fact, he has already stated that his plan to correct the issue is to have more steel TIG welded onto the front sight so that he can recreate the original front sight profile - to make the POA better align with the POI.
Not trying to be rude, just summarizing what has already been discussed, determined, and posted so far.
Bullseye Smith
Member
Sir, I have had eye surgery and I don't catch everything when I look at it. You are the one being rude, I was just trying to help with my two cents.
Sorry to hear of your issues with your eyes.
Obviously you are still able to read, and I'm glad to hear that.
Like I said, I wasn't trying to be rude, just summarizing what you obviously missed.
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