How to Remove Rear Sight Blade on S&W?

Michaelm45 · July 6, 2005, 03:05 PM

I want to remove the rear sight blade (not the rear sight) on my S&W N frame. I think it's the same on all smiths. Do I need a special tool for the windage nut?
I would like to know the correct way.
Thank you for any answers.

Jim Watson · July 6, 2005, 03:27 PM

You need a spanner type screwdriver blade, make or buy. The end of the windage screw is riveted out into the nut and will normally be broken off by removal. Brownells sells kits with nut, screw, and detent; also the spanner blade. They recommend drilling out the riveted end of the screw to keep from overloading the spanner.

Michaelm45 · July 6, 2005, 03:34 PM

Jim Watson, Thanks.
Just what I was looking for.
After installation do I have to do anything to keep windage screw or nut in place?
Thanks again.

Jim Watson · July 6, 2005, 05:56 PM

Yes, the end of the screw is hollow and is meant to be riveted tight in the nut with a center punch. I guess you could loctite it and could then change it out with heat but don't know for sure.

Dfariswheel · July 6, 2005, 06:39 PM

This same question was posted on another forum.
So, in the public interest, here's how to change out a S&W rear sight blade:

Removing the rear sight blade requires breaking the windage screw.

This is how the sight was designed by the factory.

Before doing this, you should buy the correct rear sight replacement kit.
This kit includes the correct height sight blade for your particular model, a new windage screw, and the tiny windage screw nut.

To remove the blade:
Using a PROPERLY FITTED screwdriver (NOT a S&W sight screwdriver) turn the windage screw COUNTERCLOCKWISE until it stops.
Then forcibly turn the windage screw until the screw shears in two.
(The windage screw has a weakened area in the center that's designed to shear under stress).

Gently bump the sight body on the bench until the windage screw moves out of the sight body.
BE CAREFUL not to lose the tiny windage screw spring and plunger under the head.

Push out and unscrew the other end of the windage screw and nut from the sight blade, then remove the blade.

ALTERNATIVE METHOD:
If the screw won't shear, or the screw slot is damaged, carefully use a drill to drill away the riveted end of the windage screw that secures the tiny nut.

To replace the assembly:
Clean everything up and remove all old lube, especially inside the body.
Re-lube everything.

Thread the new windage screw fully into the new blade.
Insert the windage screw spring and plunger into the their hole in the body.
Depress the plunger slightly and insert the blade and windage screw into the sight body.

Using a S&W windage nut spanner, or a small pair of tweezers, screw the new windage nut onto the windage screw until it just makes contact with the sight body, then BACK IT OFF 1/4 turn.

Rest the windage screw head on a brass anvil, and use a rounded-off center punch to carefully rivet the end of the screw over the nut.
This doesn't take much to lock the nut on the shaft, so don't over do it. All that's needed is to flair the end enough to prevent the nut from coming off.

Check the sight for proper operation by running the blade all the way over to the right and all the way over to the left to check for binding or restricted movement.

Dave Sample · July 7, 2005, 12:34 PM

Great information! I never did these myself. I always Bill B or Milt M do them for me as they were and are Smith Trained Armorer's.

July 6, 2005, 03:05 PM	#1
Michaelm45 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2004 Location: NV Posts: 215	How to Remove Rear Sight Blade on S&W? I want to remove the rear sight blade (not the rear sight) on my S&W N frame. I think it's the same on all smiths. Do I need a special tool for the windage nut? I would like to know the correct way. Thank you for any answers.

July 6, 2005, 03:27 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,580	You need a spanner type screwdriver blade, make or buy. The end of the windage screw is riveted out into the nut and will normally be broken off by removal. Brownells sells kits with nut, screw, and detent; also the spanner blade. They recommend drilling out the riveted end of the screw to keep from overloading the spanner.

July 6, 2005, 03:34 PM	#3
Michaelm45 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2004 Location: NV Posts: 215	Jim Watson, Thanks. Just what I was looking for. After installation do I have to do anything to keep windage screw or nut in place? Thanks again.

July 6, 2005, 05:56 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,580	Yes, the end of the screw is hollow and is meant to be riveted tight in the nut with a center punch. I guess you could loctite it and could then change it out with heat but don't know for sure.

July 6, 2005, 06:39 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	This same question was posted on another forum. So, in the public interest, here's how to change out a S&W rear sight blade: Removing the rear sight blade requires breaking the windage screw. This is how the sight was designed by the factory. Before doing this, you should buy the correct rear sight replacement kit. This kit includes the correct height sight blade for your particular model, a new windage screw, and the tiny windage screw nut. To remove the blade: Using a PROPERLY FITTED screwdriver (NOT a S&W sight screwdriver) turn the windage screw COUNTERCLOCKWISE until it stops. Then forcibly turn the windage screw until the screw shears in two. (The windage screw has a weakened area in the center that's designed to shear under stress). Gently bump the sight body on the bench until the windage screw moves out of the sight body. BE CAREFUL not to lose the tiny windage screw spring and plunger under the head. Push out and unscrew the other end of the windage screw and nut from the sight blade, then remove the blade. ALTERNATIVE METHOD: If the screw won't shear, or the screw slot is damaged, carefully use a drill to drill away the riveted end of the windage screw that secures the tiny nut. To replace the assembly: Clean everything up and remove all old lube, especially inside the body. Re-lube everything. Thread the new windage screw fully into the new blade. Insert the windage screw spring and plunger into the their hole in the body. Depress the plunger slightly and insert the blade and windage screw into the sight body. Using a S&W windage nut spanner, or a small pair of tweezers, screw the new windage nut onto the windage screw until it just makes contact with the sight body, then BACK IT OFF 1/4 turn. Rest the windage screw head on a brass anvil, and use a rounded-off center punch to carefully rivet the end of the screw over the nut. This doesn't take much to lock the nut on the shaft, so don't over do it. All that's needed is to flair the end enough to prevent the nut from coming off. Check the sight for proper operation by running the blade all the way over to the right and all the way over to the left to check for binding or restricted movement.

July 7, 2005, 12:34 PM	#6
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Great information! I never did these myself. I always Bill B or Milt M do them for me as they were and are Smith Trained Armorer's.