Rear Sight Bottomed Out

I have a S&W K38 Target that I typically have to bottom the rear sight to shoot center mass hold at 25 yds. Now that I have been experimenting with handloads, the most accurate load I have found forces me to hold 6 o'clock with the rear sight bottomed out at 25 yds and a full revolution down from my normal 50 yd load.

I know the standard answer is to get a taller front sight, but the front sight on this revolver looks to be permanent, no evidence of pins or set screws holding the blade on the base. I have checked the external ballistics tables, and it does not look like speeding up the bullet will bring it down more than maybe an inch at 25 yds. So is the only answer to build up the front sight to an acceptable height?

I just want to make sure I am not missing something before I start down that road. Thanks in advance.

Shooting using a deep sub-six hold will solve that problem. Have faith.

I had the same issue with my model 14-3. I took the rear sight off and gently filed either the end of the elevation screw or the top of the the barrel of the T nut that the elevation screw goes into. I don't have it in front of me so I can't verify which I did. When I disassembled the sight I believe I found that the elevation screw was bottoming out inside the T-nut. when I filed down the end of the screw it allowed me to lower the sight further and therebye lower the point of impact. If you feel comfortable doing this, go slowly. I filed some, tried it at the range, filed some more and tried it again. I don't recall how much more I got but it was at least 1 turn, perhaps it was more. as Larry suggested, I have since gone to sub-six hold at 50 and I think just touching 6 hold for 25 yds without a sight change with the ammo I load.

Scott

Awesome, I will look into this as I can see daylight under the back of the rear sight.

Maybe if Mr. Kieffer is available to chime in. Thanks

S&W makes at least three different rear sight blade heights.

Check out the S&W parts lists on the Numrich web site.

I prefer to buy the entire rear sight assembly with the rear sight height I need --- rather that just the rear sight blade --- that is when I can find them.

JMHO - YRMV

I purchased a new screw and nut, filed down the nut until the bottom of the sight bottomed out on the frame. Then began to file the flat bottom of the rear sight until I saw daylight again.

Took it to the range to sight it in and now I have over 1.75 turns above the bottom for my 25 Yd. zero. I am so happy. Now just apply some cold blue and I am done.