Sghting in a 2 in bbl SW? Bend the bbl?

L

Lorenzo

Inactive
I have two SW ,38 2 inch bbl one old steel one new titanium.

One shoots left and the other to the right.

Is there a way to change the sights or to bend the barrels to get them closer to where the sights indicate.

Lorenzo
 
Kentucky windage. My first instinct is to match a revolver to each eye. Really though, there are some who file the front sights to better mate up with their eyes and some simply file the rear sight wider to correct a left-right drift. Single actions are known for their fixed sights and they are adjustable with a file too. I do suggest that you try to adjust your aim and sight in again. There is not a multitude of choices.
 
No, you don't bend the barrel.

There's a couple of ways to deal with this. You don't say how much off the sights are, but...

1. Change your loads, and find one that offers the performance you want but shoots more to point of aim.

2. File the rear sight groove to move the point of impact.

3. Bend (GENTLY) the front sight to move the point of impact.

4. File the front sight to move the point of impact.
 
As the happy owner of my first revolver, I've run into the same issue with my new-for-me Smith 37, but let me make sure I have all this straight...

>1. Change your loads, and find one that offers the performance
> you want but shoots more to point of aim.

Makes sense.

> 2. File the rear sight groove to move the point of impact.

Hmmm. To move the point of impact left, I should file the left inside edge of the rear sight groove. Correct?

> 3. Bend (GENTLY) the front sight to move the point of impact.

Again, to move the point of impact left, I should bend (gently :)) the front sight to the left. Correct?

> 4. File the front sight to move the point of impact.

I don't even want to think about that.

Thanks!
Dave
 
Lorenzo - how much do they shoot left and right respectively? What is the target distance you are using? How did you determine that they do, indeed, shoot left and right, by firing them off hand or by using a pistol rest?

dbuffington - To move the point of aim on almost any iron sighted firearm, you move the rear sight in the same direction you want the POA to go and/or move the front sight in the opposite direction.

So for #2, no, you would enlarge the left side of the groove and favor the right side when aiming. For #3, yes, you would bend the front blade to the right. You should try the "bend the front" first as it is easier to do and creates a more accurate sight picture. For a really bad case a combination of both methods might be necessary.

All in all, Sir William's "Kentucky Windage" method is probably still the best answer for small aiming problems.
 
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Actually, it was (and still may be) a standard factory authorized practice to take a babbit to a barrel occasionally to change POI. Not the first choice, but it does work in cases where it may be indicated.
Denis
 
Mal,
Don't you have those sight movements backwards? You move the rear sight IN the direction you want the shot to move and move the front sight in the OPPOSITE direction. Thus to move bullet impact left, you move the rear sight to the left OR move the front sight to the right.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Yeah, Mal has it backwards (happens to the best of us).

You move the rear sight in the same direction you want the impact point to go. This means that you file the inside edge that you want the impact point to move to.

You bend the front sight opposite of the direction you wish the impact to go.
 
Is this model a SA? or DA? I have a 605s taurus and the trigger is like 10 lbs or so...maybe heavier...

If I dont pull the trigger slowly the point of impact is about 3 - 4 inches off to the left.
 
Is there a way to change the sights or to bend the barrels to get them closer to where the sights indicate.
Click to expand...

WTFO?? :eek: :eek:

You never bend the barrel on any firearm, unless you are trying to blow up the gun - and yourself. Try different loads - you will eventually find one that shoots to point of aim.

A snubbie is a close quarters weapon. Point of bullet impact is not really an issue. If you can put the bullets in an area the size of a 4"x6" file card at 15 to 20 feet, the gun is capable of performing as intended.
 
2" SNUBBIE ?? A close parking lot gun at best. I say this because most threats will come at very close range. Fixed sights ? Learn where it shoots and practice within the parameters of 5-7 yards. Only in the movies is a 50 yard shot made with a snubbie....
 
Yes, I did have it backwards. (Thanks Mike, for correcting me.)

Good thing I didn't try to adjust any fixed sights while my brain was turned around backwards. :)

(Fortunately, I've always gotten the concept right when the file meets the metal.)
 
"gunsmith practice"

That's the BIG qualifier right there, folks.

No one said that using a babbit bar to change the point of impact on a handgun has never happened.

But, just for a second, let's be realistic.

Is this something you REALLY want to try yourself? How good are your gunsmithing skills?

Mine are probably better than most, and I'd NEVER attempt this with any of my firearms.

Why?

Because there are BETTER options available for the average joe sixpack handgun owner.

But, if you feel the need to start whanging willy nilly on the barrel of your handgun as a FIRST resort, instead of trying the more logical approach of a different load, more power to you.
 
Well, an interesting night in which I learned something...

I'm a lousy shot.

Shooting the Smith in double-action mode is especially embarassing.

But...

The ammo DOES make a difference.

Tried three different Winchester types and one Hornaday (125 gr. JHP/XTP) from a rest at 50 feet. One Winchester was constantly high and right. The other was just high. The third (WinClean) was a bit high, but five shot strings would scatter over a six or seven inch diameter circle.

The Hornaday was in the black, constantly. I love it, well, except for the price.

Thanks!
Dave
 
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