Sighting In Fixed- Sight Revolvers

For much of the first decade of my shooting life I used fixed-sight revolvers. I still use many, including single action revolvers. The first handguns I used were often inexpensive revolvers such as Arminius, Rossi, H&R, and Iver Johnson. I appreciated them and took care of these revolvers but there was only so much accuracy to be coaxed from these humble firearms. Later on I was able to obtain much better quality handguns.

Some of these better handguns were the early import versions of the Uberti single actions and the occasional Smith & Wesson or Colt revolver. With these fixed-sight revolvers I often used Kentucky windage to account for the different point of aim and point of impact relationships as an expedient. I would hold to the right an inch or two with one handgun and a couple of inches under for another handgun.

This isn’t ideal even if you own only one handgun but when the piece fired low it wasn’t possible to account for the divergence in both point of aim and point of impact. The author also believes in using plenty of padding and protection for the firearm. In order to hit what I was aiming at and later to help others do the same I learned procedures for regulating fixedsight handguns. I learned how to regulate the point of impact many years ago and while it isn’t trivial, it isn’t that difficult either.

Before going forward, it is important to understand that a handgun will fire to a different point of impact with different weight and velocity loads, so the revolver may only be zeroed for a single loading. If you or your customers think that revolvers will fire to the point of aim with a variety of loads, all will be disappointed. As an example, a .38 Special will fire to a different point of impact with 125 grain and 158 grain bullets. Even windage can be different.

The same goes for the .45 Colt with 165 and 255 grain bullets. In the past, sight regulation was often poor but it depended on the make and caliber. I test fire a lot of modern revolvers, including those with fixed sights. I would say that most modern fixed-sight revolvers are better regulated than those made in the past. Practical experience and an understanding of sight

regulation, bullet weight, and bullet velocity is important. Generations of revolvers are sighted differently, as an example. The vintage Smith & Wesson revolvers I grew up shooting were regulated for 158 grain loads. By the 1970s most service-grade fixed-sight .38 Special revolvers were regulated to fire to the point of aim with 125 grain JHP loads. The early guns usually fired low with lighter bullets and the modern guns fired high with heavier bullets.

Since 110 and 125 grain .38 Special ammunition is among the most popular loads, the modern mode of sight regulation makes sense. Single action revolvers are less likely to fire to the point of aim, especially with older generation handguns. Single action revolvers may fire right, left, high, low, or any combination. The easiest problem to fix is when a revolver fires to the proper spot for windage but shoots low with the load of choice.

Possibly the majority of single action revolvers that are "off" are sighted in this manner. The Traditions line exhibits painstaking work and most of the time they are sighted for 158 grain .38s and 250 grain .45s in the respective .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .45 Colt chamberings. If the revolver fires low, all that is needed is to lower the height of the front sight to raise the point of impact of the projectile. This seems simple enough but care must be taken as you slowly file the front sight.

Less is more and you should file just a little and then test the handgun for regulation. This procedure demands care. Among the things that are sometimes overlooked is the need to protect the finish of the handgun as you modify the front sight. To accomplish this This is a good brace for use when turning a barrel. modification in the proper manner, the barrel must be properly secured and carefully taped in order to protect the finish. The file will slip at some point.

The fact is, no matter how careful you are at some point you will slip on some firearm at some time so take care with each job and carefully tape the barrel. Remember

that drastic changes come with just a little filing. Also be certain to use the load that will be fired in the handgun in use as you check your work. For testing, I fire from the O. H. Products (Bull Shooter Sighting In. com, Bullshooter Pistol Rest and use a solid bench rest firing position. However, this isn’t likely the same as firing offhand so be very specific in taking notes as to how the revolver will be used. As a rule of thumb, the point of impact is higher from the standing position.

Now comes the hard part. If the revolver fires to the right or left we have a greater difficulty. Careful study and note taking is needed before we begin. If the handgun shoots left, the front sight must be moved in the opposite direction that you would move the rear sight. For a handgun that shoots left, the barrel is moved left. The barrel is tightened or loosened depending on the needs of the shooter. I shoot a target and then hang it on the wall bulletin board as I proceed.

This keeps things straight and well organized. Far The author did not throw away this leather wallet as it will be used for protecting the finish of a revolver. Here is how it is done. Mark the barrel and frame with a reference point. I usually mark under the barrel. Note, make any needed adjustments for windage before elevation changes. Elevation is affected as well when you turn the barrel. With a single action revolver I remove the ejector rod and carefully place the padded frame in a vise.

I also use a specially padded tool in moving the barrel. I use custom cut-out wooden blocks that are clamped on the barrel in a strongly-cranked and tight bench vise. The ejector rod housing has been removed. I have a friend that uses a heavy AR action bar to move the frame, however, I use a one-totwo-inch diameter stick. My son fashioned a Norwegian walking stick I call "Heimdall" and I often use it. It is hell for stout and keeps me walking. It is a useful tool!

Another trick: Powdered rosin may be used in the blocks to keep the barrel from slipping. A rosin bag from a music store will work fine. With the grooved top strap and standard front sight, many of the modern single action revolvers do not fire to the point of aim but getting them regulated isn’t that great a problem. However, the problem of a single action revolver firing high is the most difficult problem faced as far as sight regulation.

With most revolvers the front sight blade would have to be replaced and this is an expensive proposition. However, there is some hope in simply learning to use the front sight properly. The shooter may simply allow only about half of the front sight blade to rise into the rear groove. With the longest barrels even a third is just fine for most shooting. This is atrick that I learned some time ago and just may save a lot of expense in fabricating a front sight along with much welding and re-finishing. AG