S&w 586

[xjchief]

Picked up a used 586 that I finally got a chance to shoot yesterday at the range. It functioned flawlessly with only one problem. It seems to shoot very low and I had to adjust the elevation of the rear sight WAY up to get it centered on the target. Just to be sure it wasn't me I let my buddy try it out and he was dead center with the sites adjusted that way.

Looking for suggestions to avoid having to ramp the rear sight up until it looks like it's going to break!

 

[Bullet Bob]

What kind of ammunition were you using?

 

[xjchief]

remington soft tip. We were only shooting at 15 yards...

 

[Snapping Twig]

I had that problem with a 686, so I replaced the blade with the largest available and now it's bottomed out on the adjustment - not raised at all and it shoots to the 6 O Clock position just like a revolver should.

Oddly enough, I had the revolver at S&W to unclock the barrel and asked them to do this for me. They said they zeroed it in with 160g magnums, but is shot WAY low when I got it back, so I had to do it myself.

I'm shooting cast 160 and 170 grain keiths over W296.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough:

.38, or .357?

158 grain, 125 grain (etc.)?

 

[chieftain]

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough:

.38, or .357?

158 grain, 125 grain (etc.)?

And he wasn't with his answer either.

Understand the slower the bullet speed the higher it will hit relative to the sights.

The faster the bullet speed the lower it will hit relative to sights.

And Yes specifically Remington made or makes an intermediate 357Mag loading.

So when ever discussing the 357Mag and ammunition specifics are critical for an effective discussion.

Just some of the fun facts in the Wonderful world of Revolvers. I am down to only about 1/2 dozen revolvers.

Most important, have fun.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[xjchief]

125 gr JSP

 

[Old 112]

Try the 158gr loading in 357, and, for comparison, also try 158gr in 38spl..
The 357 load will probably be quite close to poa. They usually are with my Smiths.


Regards
Old 112

 

[Sheldon]

If it is a newer model with the pinned on front sight a new shorter front sight would be the way to go.

 

[rgs1975]

My 4" 586 shoots about 6 inches low at 5 yards with 158 grain HydraShoks. At greater distances with 142 grain FMJ it's pretty much dead on.

 

[Oro]

You didn't mention what range, either. You can expect it to be low close in, especially with light bullets. It sounds like you were able to sight it in with the light bullets at the range you wanted. With heavier bullets (158gr. is what the sights are regulated for), and 25 yards or such, sounds like your sights are working as designed.

 

[xjchief]

I had no idea that the difference would be so great between bullets. I was shooting some 38sp and the was pretty well zeroed in when I switched to 357. The difference at 15 yards was HUGE. I'll fool around with some different loads and see what works best. Thanks for the help.

 

[9mmepiphany]

did you buy this gun used?

the first thought that came to mind was that someone put a PPC front blade on it. they were intended for competition, where they allowed a neck hold... sight picture, using the head as a reference with shots going into the X-ring a couple of feet below...when shooting at 50 yards