S&W 686 Rear Sight Adjustment

KMO · November 1, 2021, 09:38 PM

So, I received my model 686+ back from the S&W factory shop after having the barrel replaced. They ended up installing a complete rear sight assembly in the process of replacing the barrel, so the elevation needed some extreme adjustment when I got it back. The POI was about 12 inches high at just 15 yards. I began lowering the rear blade with the elevation adjustment screw, but it bottomed out before I could get the POI on target. Any ideas on what to do now?

DMY · November 1, 2021, 10:07 PM

I think you have 3 options:
1. Use faster ammo.
2. Replace the rear sight blade (or cut it deeper).
3. Replace the front sight blade with a taller one.

Nick_C_S · November 1, 2021, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Use faster ammo

No ammo is going to be fast enough to move poi by 12 inches in 15 yards.

I'd call Smith & Wesson.

KMO · November 2, 2021, 01:04 AM

Quote:

No ammo is going to be fast enough to move poi by 12 inches in 15 yards.

To be fair, 12 inches was the starting point. By the time I ran out of adjustment travel, I was able to cut that in half. So, with the rear blade fully adjusted downward, the POI was still high by 6 inches.

rodfac · November 2, 2021, 06:27 AM

The obvious solution is to send it back to S&W....the 'fix' has resulted in sights which are not usable. Since they didn't shoot it to check for sight registration, you may get it back in a short amt. of time. Changing the front or rear sight puts you as the culprit. Rod

wild cat mccane · November 2, 2021, 07:56 AM

Yep. Fill out the form again. They are pretty responsive.

KMO · November 3, 2021, 11:09 AM

I feel bad for leaving out one detail. Perhaps senility is kicking in over here in AZ... I remembered after posting here that when I got my 686 back from S&W with the new 3" barrel I purchased, they included with my revolver my original rear sight assembly, sent back in a bag, and a brand new assembly was on the revolver. I never asked for that, so I just set it aside in my case. I pulled out the original sight assembly, and the new one has a distinctly taller blade. I'm perplexed about why they would do this as part of a barrel replacement, but my original blade is very obviously shorter. I quickly swapped out the two assemblies, and I'm guessing my high POI problem is now remedied. I'll go out & check it in a day or two...

November 1, 2021, 09:38 PM	#1
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 946	S&W 686 Rear Sight Adjustment So, I received my model 686+ back from the S&W factory shop after having the barrel replaced. They ended up installing a complete rear sight assembly in the process of replacing the barrel, so the elevation needed some extreme adjustment when I got it back. The POI was about 12 inches high at just 15 yards. I began lowering the rear blade with the elevation adjustment screw, but it bottomed out before I could get the POI on target. Any ideas on what to do now? __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

November 2, 2021, 06:27 AM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,540	The obvious solution is to send it back to S&W....the 'fix' has resulted in sights which are not usable. Since they didn't shoot it to check for sight registration, you may get it back in a short amt. of time. Changing the front or rear sight puts you as the culprit. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

November 2, 2021, 07:56 AM	#6
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 2,973	Yep. Fill out the form again. They are pretty responsive. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

November 3, 2021, 11:09 AM	#7
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 946	Sorry, Men... I feel bad for leaving out one detail. Perhaps senility is kicking in over here in AZ... I remembered after posting here that when I got my 686 back from S&W with the new 3" barrel I purchased, they included with my revolver my original rear sight assembly, sent back in a bag, and a brand new assembly was on the revolver. I never asked for that, so I just set it aside in my case. I pulled out the original sight assembly, and the new one has a distinctly taller blade. I'm perplexed about why they would do this as part of a barrel replacement, but my original blade is very obviously shorter. I quickly swapped out the two assemblies, and I'm guessing my high POI problem is now remedied. I'll go out & check it in a day or two... __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

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November 1, 2021, 10:07 PM	#2
DMY Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2015 Posts: 148	I think you have 3 options: 1. Use faster ammo. 2. Replace the rear sight blade (or cut it deeper). 3. Replace the front sight blade with a taller one.