Smith 35-1 missing elevator screw

[BoCash]

Howdy,

After over 50 years of owning and shooting "J" frame Smiths and many others, I have always wanted a Model 35 - 22/32 "Target." At the many gun shows over the years, I refused to buy the ones I saw because they were marked so much higher than .22 K frames and other beloved .22 J frame Kit guns of various models.

I finally bought one and paid what I feel is a premium for a Model 35-1 in the box, about 97% condition. Yes, I gave a total of $989 for this one but I am not getting any younger and could not find one as nice for less coins. Call me a fool, but I wanted the danged thing.

ALAS................ the seller on GunBroker failed to mention that the sight elevator screw was missing !! A supposedly reputable dealer in Texas failed to mention this and it highly irks me to purchase an unseen, unhandled gun from over 1,000 miles away and get this "surprise." This also occured AFTER I asked the seller about the mechanics of this particular gun and he replied: "The gun works." --------- an answer totaling only three words that did not tell me much. Because of his failure to disclose this readily visible problem after I had asked a question about the gun, I would consider giving him a "negative" on feedback but am likely to get one in return which would ruin my 100% positive. Such is life if sellers have that desire to retaliate.

I do not want to return the gun...........too much trouble. I simply want to locate a replacement screw and put it in myself......... and should be capable of this remedy.

QUESTION: I have never looked into that screw hole on any of my many Smiths.........when the screw was removed like this one. I have never totally removed a sight elevator screw before. I look down into the hole and see a screw that is apparently in the top of the frame and it possesses a straight slot in the head. I assume that when inserted, the elevator screw bears on the top of this hidden frame screw when the elevator screw is turned to raise and lower the elevator? I never knew that another screw was located down there before. I assume this frame screw is correct and in its correct location?

Further, if anyone on the board has such a screw and wants to sell it, I will accommodate them before going to Smith and Wesson and asking for one.

THANKS, take care, and Have a great weekend. "Bo" in NC

 

[smitholdtimer]

Will not ask for the screw

Hey Bo, seems you have an aversion about the factory and asking for a particular screw, why. Well, none of my business I suppose. Some time they are very receptive to your needs and may have what you are seeking, I'd give them a call and find out where you stand, hope you will be pleasantly surprised. You may have to purchase it or they may send it to you, free gratis. You never know until you inquire.

 

[BoCash]

Hi Sam and THANKS for the suggestion. Just curious, what part of NC are you from?

Actually, I have no qualms about calling the factory, but more or less wanted to see here on the forum if that one "nut" will indeed be all that is necessary to go in that hole. As said before, I have never removed a sight elevator screw before and was not certain if there might be a spring or something else that goes down in there. Plus, I was hoping someone here might have one from a stripped or parts gun.

I need a few stock screws and several sheets of the packing papers for Smith boxes anyway, so will probably call them next week and see if I can secure all at once.

Without a painful research, would you happen to have their customer service number?

THANKS in advance. "Bo"

 

[Sebago Son]

Never mind all of that....

Just buy the whole sight assembly from Brownell's. You can even get a White Outline Rear Blade in the bargain.

Remove the front leaf screw and the assembly slides right in from the rear.

Ten minutes and you're done. And then you don't ever have to think or speak of it again.

One tip. Order a replacement front leaf screw while you're at it. Learned that the hard way.

Drew

 

[ken158]

Bo - I see you are a new member and seem to be getting the new member welcome... anyway, there are three parts that you need. The screw and a spring and plunger that fit in the side of the screw so you get the clicks as you run the sight up and down. I am guessing all the other parts are there since the sight is still on the gun in your pictures. I have the parts you need and will send them to you gratis. You paid enough for that model 35 and dont need to buy a complete rear sight assembly! Send me your address and I will get them out ASAP.

 

[DCWilson]

Bo. others have given you good advice about the sight. I just want to say that you shouldn't worry about "overpaying" for this nice-looking 35-1. The Pre-35, 35 and 35-1 models are getting pricier, and I am resigned to paying almost or even more than a thousand to get a Pre-35 one of these days. I understand the appeal of these small-frame .22 target revolvers.

The only thought I offer about the sight is that in the K-frame rear sights, there is a little leaf that slips into a slot in the sight body. As the elevation screw threads in, it forces the leaf up, which is what actually raises the rear of the sight against the tension created by the front lockdown screw. I don't know if the I and J-frame micrometer click target sights work the same way, but I would expect they do. I think the little thread you see inside is in that leaf. Don't let it get away if you take the whole assembly off. Gravity will take the loose part, and you may have to drag your floor with a magnet to find it.

Or maybe I'm wrong about the structure of I/J sights. Either way, sorry for the irritation you are experiencing, but it is a nice gun nonetheless.

 

[BoCash]

THANKS to all that replied. You fellers are the greatest!

This sight problem will get fixed, most likely by me. I have had a generous offer for the parts. I would also be willing to call Smith and have them send the correct parts, if needed.

The seller apologized to me but I think we both learned a lesson out of this.

Because of the replies, I don't feel quite as badly about how much I paid for the little J frame target. I have been buying Smiths for a half century and am admitting this is the most I ever paid for one, in spite of recently purchasing a number of discontinued models to use and/or put up for the afterlife.

The way I look at some (scarce) guns like this: Go ahead and buy the thing at top dollar if you really want it. .............. Because, next year they will be even higher IF you can find one in the condition you seek it in !

Dang, it's cold here in the hills of NC !

Y'all have a wonderful weekend. Bo