how to keep S&W Model 28 rear sight leaf screw tight?

[1KPerDay]

I mostly shoot .38 specials but it still shakes loose after a few cylinders. I've tightened it until my screwdriver tip bent (it's a very thin slotted screw) and I've managed to bugger the screw as well. I've tried blue loc-tite... I'm reluctant to try red. I don't suppose I should try rocksett...

Fingernail polish? something else?

 

[1KPerDay]

BTW when you click on a part on the list here do you see prices or availability? Nothing happens when I click on it.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/smith-wesson/revolvers-sw/28-sw

 

[AK103K]

If youre going to mess with the rear sight, make sure your paying attention and do it in a large zip lock bag. There is a detent and spring in there that can and will fly off if youre not careful. They can also be a bitch to get in too.

If youre going to replace the screw, you will also need a new nut too. Youll probably need the tool to tighten (not really "tighten", just screw in) it too. Brownells has them, they arent real cheap, and they are fragile.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...smith-wesson-sight-nut-spanner-prod25408.aspx

You basically shear the old screw off in the nut to get it out. Dont try using the tool to back the nut off, youll just shear off the little prongs that go into the holes in the nut. Ask me how I know.

Theres a reason they come two to a pack. Youre going to break the first one right off.

Ive replaced the leaf in a couple of rear sights now, and it was sort of a PITA, and Im not going to get into another unless its absolutely necessary.

If it were me, and you can get the sight zeroed, Id try the red locktite first.

 

[mcb]

Try the blue Loctite again but make sure you de-grease everything really well. Acetone works well for this.

 

[1KPerDay]

If youre going to mess with the rear sight, make sure your paying attention and do it in a large zip lock bag. There is a detent and spring in there that can and will fly off if youre not careful. They can also be a bitch to get in too.

If youre going to replace the screw, you will also need a new nut too. Youll probably need the tool to tighten (not really "tighten", just screw in) it too. Brownells has them, they arent real cheap, and they are fragile.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...smith-wesson-sight-nut-spanner-prod25408.aspx

You basically shear the old screw off in the nut to get it out. Dont try using the tool to back the nut off, youll just shear off the little prongs that go into the holes in the nut. Ask me how I know.

Theres a reason they come two to a pack. Youre going to break the first one right off.

Ive replaced the leaf in a couple of rear sights now, and it was sort of a PITA, and Im not going to get into another unless its absolutely necessary.

If it were me, and you can get the sight zeroed, Id try the red locktite first.

Thanks for the information and tips but I’m talking about the tiny front screw that secures the rear sight to the frame.

 

[AK103K]

Thanks for the information and tips but I’m talking about the tiny front screw that secures the rear sight to the frame.

Gottcha.

The blue loctite has always worked well on that screw for me for me.

If you need a new one, Id call Smith.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

BTW when you click on a part on the list here do you see prices or availability? Nothing happens when I click on it.

Yes. There is a down arrow over on the right. When I click on the down arrow, the price and availability of the part shows up as well as a photo of the part. I have bought a few parts over the years from Numrich, they have always shipped quickly.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yes. There is a down arrow over on the right. When I click on the down arrow, the price and availability of the part shows up as well as a photo of the part. I have bought a few parts over the years from Numrich, they have always shipped quickly.

thank you. For me it just reverses the arrow; nothing shows as far as price or availability.

 

[AK103K]

thank you. For me it just reverses the arrow; nothing shows as far as price or availability.

It wasnt working for me either. Unless they changed things up just recently, the way things are shown there is different now than it was just a couple of months back.

They always used to list the numbers and the item on the same line so you could see it.

As much as I like dealing with them, Id still call S&W first. They may just send you one.

 

[Dave T]

Id still call S&W first. They may just send you one.

S&W has a new adjustable sight that has a rounded front leaf and a different screw. I don't think they supply or support the old style rear sight any more. I tried to buy a whole rear sight assembly (older style) about a year ago and they told me they only had the new ones.

Dave

 

[sparkyv]

This always works for me, too:

Try the blue Loctite again but make sure you de-grease everything really well. Acetone works well for this.

The blue loctite has always worked well on that screw for me for me.

Me too:

thank you. For me it just reverses the arrow; nothing shows as far as price or availability.

 

[Obturation]

I'm not scared of red loctite, but a large majority of people are. Then again I wrestle rotted and broken bolts 5 days a week between the hours of 8am- 5pm. Never found a bolt or screw that couldn't be removed if needed. If you do use red and you need the screw out and can't manage it with a proper screwdriver, put a soldering iron on the head of the screw for a minute or two and out it comes - it rarely comes to that in my experience.