Help with adjusting fixed sights (1858)

[andy_cc]

Hello all,

I have just bought a second hand Pietta 1858. I thought Id try second hand first to get used to the details of shooting and cleaning black powder before buying a good brand new pistol.

Now being new to pistols I thought Id ask this even though I’m sure the answer is no, as this isn’t a dove tail design.


In the attached photo is that fore sight adjustable in any way?

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t121/amc22uob/DSC04474.jpg

Best Regards,

Andrew

 

[sundance44s]

Only if she shoots low ..then you can file some off and bring it up to POA ..
Tryiing to adjust windage by bending the Pietta front sight , will only snap it off , it`s eaither pressed in or glued somewhat . I did pop one out one time by mistake and ordered a Uberti front sight from VTI and cut the dovetail for it on my Pietta ...worked out good . Thats a good fix , if you can`t cut the dove tail , find someone who can , it only takes a min . for someone that knows how and they probally wouldn`t charge much .

 

[andy_cc]

Thanks, I did not think it would stand up to being bent, I'll just find a tame gunsmith, need it moved a little to the left.


Andrew

 

[dogrunner]

The '58 Pietta I've had for well over 12 years has always been a really good shooter. Only problem it had was that the point of impact was too low so a little judicious file work brought it to point of aim. Impact to either side might indicate that the bbl has not been turned true to the frame....any reasonably competant smith ought to be able to set that right quickly and cheaply.

I laugh about it, but in truth, my Pietta WILL shoot right there with several S&W's I own!.....I was really surprised as I bought it on a lark for something to just fool around with..........it really turned out to be a keeper!

 

[Old Fuff]

Back during the 19th century (which of course the Old Fuff remembers well), it was a fairly common practice to have a gunsmith remove the original front sight, cut a dovetail, and mount a replacement of the kind then used on caplock rifles. Such front sights can be obtained from Dixie Gun Works (www.dixiegunworks.com) and when fitted will solve the point-of-aim/point-of-impact problem in a completely original way.

 

[andy_cc]

I must say I am very impressed with its shooting, its a very accurate weapon, I certainly can't complain with a 2 inch group shooting in the one handed position considering this is my first foray into pistols. And as for bench rest style, it was shooting into one inch groups.


Regards

Andrew

 

[1911 guy]

How far off at what range?

It may be possible to file a bit on one side, changing the centerline of the sight. You'd need to figure the math on how much change is needed first to avoid filing it away to unuseable proportions.

Error in inches divided by range in inches multiplied by sight radius will tell you how much it needs.

Example, it shoots 3" left at 25 yards and has a 7" sight radius.
3" / 900" = .00333"
.00333" X 7" = .02331"
Moving the sight .023" (twenty three thousandths) would correct the zero.

Plug in your own numbers and see if it's worth a try.

 

[Misfire99]

You can even cut the dove tail yourself for the cost, or even less, then having a gunsmith do it. Here is a link from Midway for a fixture to cut dove tails:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=720537

The cost is only twenty dollars. So the first one you cut pays for the fixture and then any more you need are free. Personally I like having tools like this to work on my guns. I learn a lot more that way.