S&W adjustable sights question

[the naked prophet]

I searched, but I can't seem to find the answer. Perhaps the question is too obvious for anyone else to have discussed it before.

I have a S&W model 29, and have shot it maybe 100 rounds. Limited more by finances than recoil. The accuracy isn't great, but at 10 yards I can put two cylinders through it with all the holes touching each other. I've been told that if I do my part, it should do that out to 100 yards. I can do better with my S&W model 10 using fixed sights.

I did notice that there was a rattle when I moved the gun around. I found the source of the rattle, and found that the adjustable rear sight was rattling around. I loctited the screws holding the rear sight on (they were about to fall out!) and re-sighted in. Then I still heard the rattle. The blade itself is loose in the sight.

Is that normal? (I'd think that a rear sight wobbling around is not normal, in any gun) Is that fixable? Could that cause my groups to open up? How should I take care of that?

 

[MP5]

The blade on the rear sight of my 686P has always had a tiny bit of play, but only forwards and backwards, never side to side. It's never caused me any practical problems. Then again, I've never tried shooting it 100 yards

 

[Troutman]

<<(I'd think that a rear sight wobbling around is not normal, in any gun) Is that fixable?>>

Yes, put a new rear sight on it the same way you fixed the loosened rear sight.
On my S&W adjustable sights, I have (which includes a 29-2) on all mine, what I call, a slight play. Slight play meaning….if I was to make an argument about the accuracy, I would have to say to myself that breathing control, would have more of a factor on the accuracy than that slight play.
Where “wobbling” is a different animal, in my mind.


<<have a S&W model 29, and have shot it maybe 100 rounds. Limited more by finances than recoil. The accuracy isn't great, but at 10 yards I can put two cylinders through it with all the holes touching each other. I've been told that if I do my part, it should do that out to 100 yards. I can do better with my S&W model 10 using fixed sights.>>



Come on, now. Their’s a difference between a 38 and a 44. In recoil, and power
You have to get use to the 29.
Handguns are no different, than doing any other thing in life.
Just because someone is called a sky-diver, and only did free-fall jumps at 13,000 feet, does not make them a certified HALO diver, jumping out at 30,000 feet, and opening your chute at low-altitudes.
Besides, one has to prepare differently, than diving from 13,000.
38 and 44, same thing. Give it a chance. If recoil is not a factor, of not shooting it. It just might work out for you.
If you have doubts about that rear sight, just change it out. It’s not like your doing brain surgery their, changing it out.

 

[the naked prophet]

I was hoping for a "such and such screw is loose, just tighten it" answer.

 

[Majic]

Yes, put a new rear sight on it the same way you fixed the loosened rear sight.

You don't have to put a complete new sight assembly on. You can just put on a new sight blade and screw.

 

[Hardtarget]

I had a friend that shot bulls eye competition for many years. He told me that .001 inch movement of the sights equalled 4" at 25 yards.Maybe thats why I was never any good at bulls eye.

So, I suggest you fix that sight because that wobble just can't be a good thing.

Mark.

 

[tipoc]

You may want to take the gun by a smith to have them take a look at it. If the rear sight is loose the noise that that would make would be about as loud as a cockroach walking across paper. Not much to hear. The rear sight being loose would also effect your shooting. So if the gun rattles when you give it a shake it may be something else.

tipoc

 

[huntershooter]

The rattle you're hearing is most likely the hammer block or overtravel pin (if it has one). This is common and no cause for alarm.

 

[earplug]

Take the sight to a smith who can fix it. They have A screw for windage that may need help.
When you can shoot clover leafs with that M29 at 100 yards, join A circus.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Huntershooter is right on the money.

 

[the naked prophet]

I am 100% positive it's the rear sight rattling. If I shake the gun the same way twice, but the second time I hold down the rear sight, there's no rattle the second time.

 

[Slamfire]

In my opinion there should be no play in a rear sight. Just examined a new M625-9. There is no rear sight blade side to side movement. If I press down on the top left, or top right, their is a rocking movement. Small but there. There is movement front and back in the notch. The sight does not rattle.

If your sight rattles that is too much movement. I don't even like the movement I have, but the pistol will stay on a 12" gong target at 50 yards, which is as far as I shoot offhand.

I purchased one set of Bowen rear sights for a Ruger MkII .22LR and a SuperBlack Hawk. Those sights had absolutely no up/down, side to side, or front and back movement. They also make sights for S&W revolvers. http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/shop/default.asp?action=_top&category=10. If I was good enough to place my shots at 100 yards, I would dump the factory S&W sights and buy good replacement sets.

 

[Majic]

The sight blade shouldn't move at all. Most likely it is the bade adjustment screw, but mic the blade itself as it could be a blade that's too narrow. I't just as easy to replace both parts as just one.

 

[tipoc]

Well I just shook 5 S&Ws 2 fixed sight and 3 adjustable. Two Ns and 3 Ks. The only noise that comes from them was on two guns. It was a slight rattle from the cylinder and only audible in a quiet room with the guns not far from my head. I ain't sure that any other parts are loose enough to rattle.

At any rate we can go on guessing what the sounds could maybe be or you can take the piece by a smith to look at and have him tell you in a few minutes. As the rattling clearly bothers you and as your sights seem to be damaged (from what you say) and as it appears you are not completely confident of your own diagnostic abilities this course may be of use to you. Now if you live 100 miles from the nearest gunsmith I'm sure folks here will be happy to walk you through any step by step you may need.

You can always remove the sights completely and see if the gun still rattles. If it doesn't replace the sights. S&W sells them and Brownell's, Midway and others sell plenty of alternatives sights to the S&Ws. Your call.

tipoc