Adjusting rear sight on my CZ SP01 Shadow

sigarms228 · July 10, 2017, 03:58 PM

The rear sight on my SP01 Shadow appears to be off to the right. I am kind of glad it is because I was wondering why I was always shooting to the right with it - about 1.25 inches at 21 feet. I just got back from the range and was cleaning it and it looks like the rear sight is off. I bought it new in August 2015. Test target does not show it shooting to the right however but I certainly am. Maybe the sight worked its way over the right over the last couple of years?

Any tips on how to drift the rear sight? It has a set screw in it. I have drifted sights before by putting slide in padded vise or on wood block and the tapping it over with a brass punch hammering the end of the brass punch lightly. I usually put some grease on the side of the sight I use the brass punch on and a piece of electrical tape on the slide just below it in case I slip though I have not yet.

Here are pictures of the rear sight. Notice the dovetail compared left to right side. Thanks for any help or tips.

RickB · July 10, 2017, 06:24 PM

The sight is clearly right of center, so that would explain the gun shooting to the right, assuming the sight has "crept" to the right over time.
Be sure to make reference marks on the sight and slide, so you can tell when the sight has moved, and how much.
Your technique for moving the sight is already good.
Some people will, after they get the sight properly adjusted, either apply some Loctite to the dovetail, or use a punch through the set-screw hole to make a depression in the slide for the set screw to bite into, so the sight doesn't move again.

sigarms228 · July 10, 2017, 06:32 PM

Thanks RickB!

This seems to be a somewhat common problem with SP01. I found that the lock screw was a bit loose and there was the needed hex wrench in the pistol case. I put the slide on a block of soft wood and a couple gentle taps with brass punch moved it. To these old eyes it looks centered now. I locked down the lock screw fairly firmly. So we will see how it goes next range trip and keep an eye on it. If it moves again I will try some Loctite after verifying I have it where I want it.

TunnelRat · July 10, 2017, 06:37 PM

No harm in using blue loctite on the set screw.

sigarms228 · July 10, 2017, 06:40 PM

What would be the best way to do that? Apply it to the threads or a drop on top of the lock screw once it is tightened? Also what is involved in removing such screw after using Loctite on it if need be?

TunnelRat · July 10, 2017, 06:43 PM

I usually apply to the threads. When you tighten the screw some loctite will get pushed to to the top of the screw hole automatically. Blue is pretty easy to overcome later with hand force, the green or red are different stories entirely.

sigarms228 · July 10, 2017, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the tip TunnelRat!

It has really been bugging me about why I have been shooting my CZ SP01 Shadow to the right. I may have to make another special range trip this week to see how it works for me now.

ShootistPRS · July 11, 2017, 10:34 AM

You can apply blue Loc-Tite to the dovetail and the screw by removing the set screw and putting a drop into the hole. When you screw the set screw down it will force the Loc-Tite up the threads and down into the dovetail. Blue Loc-Tite is easily removable so it doesn't require heat or special chemicals to remove it, if that ever becomes necessary.

sigarms228 · July 11, 2017, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the tips. Blue Loctite sounds like a good solution.

If I get a sight pusher I will probably get the one from CZ Custom but it is easy to drift the sight with brass punch unlike some other pistols where the sights are really tight. I use MGW sight pusher for my classic P series SIGs. Hopefully my range will let me make adjustments while I am there if need be.

TunnelRat · July 11, 2017, 01:33 PM

Some are much tighter in the dovetails than others. If you can get by with a brass rod that's a plus.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sigarms228 · July 18, 2017, 04:34 PM

Well I went to the range today with my SP01 Shadow again. I was pleased that the eyeball centering I made to the sight was pretty good but still a little to the left. So I tapped the sight to the right a little more and then when I tightened to set screw down I got that horrible feeling that something was wrong. I though I broke the set screw

. Well I tried 10 rounds and it was pretty much on center but man was I miffed at myself on the way home about breaking that set screw.

At home I took it into my basement shop and on further examination I found that I stripped the set screw where the hex wrench goes.

I found a hex wrech just a hair larger and was able to use that to back the set screw out.

Not sure why I was able to strip the head of that set screw fairly easily unless that is by design to be a better problem than snapping it. I used the hex wrench that was in the case of my CZ.

But now I got to try and find a couple new hex screws for it. I did not want to tighten it back down with the oversize hex wrench for fear it would get stripped again. Going on CZ website I found a rear site set screw that was "for every CZ except Tactical Sport" for $2. I emailed CZ Custom first to see what they had to to say about correct part. So my saga continues but I was supper happy to be able to get that set screw out.

https://shop.cz-usa.com/productdetai...set-screw-m3x4

TunnelRat · July 18, 2017, 06:00 PM

Be thankful you did manage to get it to back out. I've had this happen to me before on other pistols and it was so stripped that I had to have a smith drill out the head of the screw.

When it comes to the set screw tighten it only as much as you can while using the little end of the allen wrench for leverage (so the long end in the hole). That will usually prevent you from stripping the head. The set screw basically provides a bit of friction and removes some play. You don't have to wrench it down in order for it to work and assuming you use loctite it won't work itself loose.

sigarms228 · July 18, 2017, 06:02 PM

Good advice, thanks.

I tightened while holding the long end for maximum torque. I won't do that again.

CockNBama · July 18, 2017, 06:12 PM

That reminds me of me. I once finished tightening a nut(3/8") with my ratchet, and an instructor said " Don't just run 'em Farmer Tight. Know when enough is enough." That's been a hard habit to break...

TunnelRat · July 18, 2017, 07:27 PM

^ You're not kidding.

sigarms228 · July 18, 2017, 08:45 PM

Well "back in the day" we usually did it like this, loosen or tighten.

sigarms228 · August 2, 2017, 01:23 PM

Well I received my new rear sight set screw from CZ USA, 3 actually as shipping was more than the screws LOL. It is different from the one that was in my SP01 Shadow but fits. The replacement is shorter than the old one but it has more contact area on the slide so hopefully it will work better and I will use the Blue Loctite once I am sure rear sight is where I want it. Thanks for all the help!

https://shop.cz-usa.com/productdetai...set-screw-m3x4

July 10, 2017, 03:58 PM	#1
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Adjusting rear sight on my CZ SP01 Shadow The rear sight on my SP01 Shadow appears to be off to the right. I am kind of glad it is because I was wondering why I was always shooting to the right with it - about 1.25 inches at 21 feet. I just got back from the range and was cleaning it and it looks like the rear sight is off. I bought it new in August 2015. Test target does not show it shooting to the right however but I certainly am. Maybe the sight worked its way over the right over the last couple of years? Any tips on how to drift the rear sight? It has a set screw in it. I have drifted sights before by putting slide in padded vise or on wood block and the tapping it over with a brass punch hammering the end of the brass punch lightly. I usually put some grease on the side of the sight I use the brass punch on and a piece of electrical tape on the slide just below it in case I slip though I have not yet. Here are pictures of the rear sight. Notice the dovetail compared left to right side. Thanks for any help or tips. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

July 10, 2017, 06:24 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	The sight is clearly right of center, so that would explain the gun shooting to the right, assuming the sight has "crept" to the right over time. Be sure to make reference marks on the sight and slide, so you can tell when the sight has moved, and how much. Your technique for moving the sight is already good. Some people will, after they get the sight properly adjusted, either apply some Loctite to the dovetail, or use a punch through the set-screw hole to make a depression in the slide for the set screw to bite into, so the sight doesn't move again. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

July 10, 2017, 06:32 PM	#3
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Thanks RickB! This seems to be a somewhat common problem with SP01. I found that the lock screw was a bit loose and there was the needed hex wrench in the pistol case. I put the slide on a block of soft wood and a couple gentle taps with brass punch moved it. To these old eyes it looks centered now. I locked down the lock screw fairly firmly. So we will see how it goes next range trip and keep an eye on it. If it moves again I will try some Loctite after verifying I have it where I want it. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin Last edited by sigarms228; July 10, 2017 at 06:38 PM.

July 10, 2017, 06:37 PM	#4
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	No harm in using blue loctite on the set screw. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2017, 06:40 PM	#5
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	What would be the best way to do that? Apply it to the threads or a drop on top of the lock screw once it is tightened? Also what is involved in removing such screw after using Loctite on it if need be? __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

July 10, 2017, 06:43 PM	#6
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	I usually apply to the threads. When you tighten the screw some loctite will get pushed to to the top of the screw hole automatically. Blue is pretty easy to overcome later with hand force, the green or red are different stories entirely. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2017, 06:44 PM	#7
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Thanks for the tip TunnelRat! It has really been bugging me about why I have been shooting my CZ SP01 Shadow to the right. I may have to make another special range trip this week to see how it works for me now. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin Last edited by sigarms228; July 10, 2017 at 06:53 PM.

July 11, 2017, 10:34 AM	#8
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	You can apply blue Loc-Tite to the dovetail and the screw by removing the set screw and putting a drop into the hole. When you screw the set screw down it will force the Loc-Tite up the threads and down into the dovetail. Blue Loc-Tite is easily removable so it doesn't require heat or special chemicals to remove it, if that ever becomes necessary.

July 11, 2017, 12:23 PM	#9
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Thanks for the tips. Blue Loctite sounds like a good solution. If I get a sight pusher I will probably get the one from CZ Custom but it is easy to drift the sight with brass punch unlike some other pistols where the sights are really tight. I use MGW sight pusher for my classic P series SIGs. Hopefully my range will let me make adjustments while I am there if need be. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

July 11, 2017, 01:33 PM	#10
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	Some are much tighter in the dovetails than others. If you can get by with a brass rod that's a plus. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

July 18, 2017, 04:34 PM	#11
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Well I went to the range today with my SP01 Shadow again. I was pleased that the eyeball centering I made to the sight was pretty good but still a little to the left. So I tapped the sight to the right a little more and then when I tightened to set screw down I got that horrible feeling that something was wrong. I though I broke the set screw . Well I tried 10 rounds and it was pretty much on center but man was I miffed at myself on the way home about breaking that set screw. At home I took it into my basement shop and on further examination I found that I stripped the set screw where the hex wrench goes. I found a hex wrech just a hair larger and was able to use that to back the set screw out. Not sure why I was able to strip the head of that set screw fairly easily unless that is by design to be a better problem than snapping it. I used the hex wrench that was in the case of my CZ. But now I got to try and find a couple new hex screws for it. I did not want to tighten it back down with the oversize hex wrench for fear it would get stripped again. Going on CZ website I found a rear site set screw that was "for every CZ except Tactical Sport" for $2. I emailed CZ Custom first to see what they had to to say about correct part. So my saga continues but I was supper happy to be able to get that set screw out. https://shop.cz-usa.com/productdetai...set-screw-m3x4 __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin Last edited by sigarms228; July 18, 2017 at 04:40 PM.

July 18, 2017, 06:00 PM	#12
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	Be thankful you did manage to get it to back out. I've had this happen to me before on other pistols and it was so stripped that I had to have a smith drill out the head of the screw. When it comes to the set screw tighten it only as much as you can while using the little end of the allen wrench for leverage (so the long end in the hole). That will usually prevent you from stripping the head. The set screw basically provides a bit of friction and removes some play. You don't have to wrench it down in order for it to work and assuming you use loctite it won't work itself loose. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 18, 2017, 06:02 PM	#13
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Good advice, thanks. I tightened while holding the long end for maximum torque. I won't do that again. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

July 18, 2017, 06:12 PM	#14
CockNBama Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2014 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 206	That reminds me of me. I once finished tightening a nut(3/8") with my ratchet, and an instructor said " Don't just run 'em Farmer Tight. Know when enough is enough." That's been a hard habit to break...

July 18, 2017, 07:27 PM	#15
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	^ You're not kidding. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 18, 2017, 08:45 PM	#16
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Well "back in the day" we usually did it like this, loosen or tighten. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

August 2, 2017, 01:23 PM	#17
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	Well I received my new rear sight set screw from CZ USA, 3 actually as shipping was more than the screws LOL. It is different from the one that was in my SP01 Shadow but fits. The replacement is shorter than the old one but it has more contact area on the slide so hopefully it will work better and I will use the Blue Loctite once I am sure rear sight is where I want it. Thanks for all the help! https://shop.cz-usa.com/productdetai...set-screw-m3x4 __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin