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January 28, 2025
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I hesitated to start another rear sight thread but I did read everything I could find here and I couldn't find an answer. After reading one from the Shootist started in 2010 I was going to tack onto that one but it looks like he hasn't posted since 2022. I hope he didn't pass.
My rear sight seems to work opposite of what I found in an old Dan Wesson Owners Manual and I am trying to figure out if it is related to the lock nut that captures the windage screw. I bought a cheap set of Chinese spanner bits that are roughly machined (shocking) and the No. 4 fits the closest but poorly. I don't want to damage the outside ring on the nut. I did try tightening the nut a little and it moves the hex head windage screw on the right when I do that. So I think the nut is actually tight enough.
When I rotate my windage screw counterclockwise with a hex wrench, the sight moves to the right, AND the nut rotates with the screw. I can feel the detents as I do that but they are not very crisp but they are there. The further out I go with the adjustment the more faint the detents feel. If I rotate the crew clockwise the sight moves to the left. This is opposite of anything I have found online or in the old manual. I am thinking it has something to do with the fact that the nut is turning with the screw. I did watch a Midway YouTube on a Smith and Wesson sight and at the end Larry Potterfield peened the slots in the nut outward using a center punch. I certainly don't want to do that.
Any thoughts on the nut turning with the screw and the apparent reverse direction for adjusting?
Thanks!!
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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Shootist is active on the FB Dan Wesson group. Regarding your issue with windage, I’m no help. I’ve never had any issues with sights on a Dan yet. Someone here will be able to help, this is the right place!
Dans Club
March 28, 2023
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As the great John Wayne said in the movie The Undefeated "Windage and Elevation Mrs. Langdon, Windage and Elevation" A great quote from John Wayne in one of his movies not known as good as some others. It had the distinction of having two Los Angeles Rams starring in it along with Rock Hudson. Roman Gabriel (star QB for the Rams) plays Blue Boy an Indian scout who has fallen in love with a white southern bell and Merlin Olsen (star and part of the fearsome foursome defensive line)! Anyway Wayne gives this advice several times to a widowed woman in the wagon train as she shoots to help them fight off the bandits! I'm also an expert on John Wayne and have every John Wayne movie on DVD! Sorry to get off the mark i'm sure the experts will get your sight problem fixed! I thought this is normal the screw rotates and moves the sight in the opposite direction. As long as you know you can sight the gun once you know which way to turn the screw and site it in. Just like the tie rod ends on a 57 Chevy!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I have taken apart many small frame Dans and built several from bare frames,but messing with the rear sight is not something I will do. I think the lock nut is just that. Don't mess with it. If your sight moves left and right it is working. If you try to take it apart the dedent balls will fall out and you will never get it back together. If you need a rear sight check eBay, or use a Ruger or Millett.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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I agree with Ole Dog. I have taken one apart and never got it back together.
August 29, 2009
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I am in agreement with the previous 2 posts. Save yourself the time and headache and put another sight on it. There are several options out there - Millett or Ruger as mentioned above, as well as William's Firesight and Bowen Classic Rough Country.
If you want to try a Ruger sight (this is the cheapest option), I've got a few without the Ruger logo on them - shoot me a PM and we'll figure it out. The Millett sights are few and far between anymore.
Other options are:
William's FireSight - for Ruger Single Six $75
Bowen Classic Rough Country - for Ruger single Six. $110
The Bowen sight is the most expensive, but also the most highly reputed for Ruger revolvers.
I am working on another sight that would be an upgrade from the current Ruger sight and would be in the $55 range. It would be comparable to the original rear sights on new CZ 715's. I should have one available in a couple weeks if you are interested.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Or keep checking on eBay for a DW. sight. I feel original or Millett is the best way to go for retaining value. That is just a personal opinion.
February 15, 2025
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FWIW: Here is a copy of the 1978 instruction book relative to the rear sight:
January 28, 2025
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epags1 said
FWIW: Here is a copy of the 1978 instruction book relative to the rear sight:
Thank you for the responses everyone. It is greatly appreciated
I do have a manual and as I said, my sights are operating opposite of what the manual states. I still think that that is because the lock nut isn't properly staked. I think I am going to sight it in again and if I get it dialed in, I'm going to call it quits for now. I had it close to zeroed in before and then I was making what I thought were a few clicks right by turning the windage screw clockwise and I couldn't figure out why my shots kept going more to the left.
I will also look into the options that DakotaJack laid out in post 6 above.
Thanks again.
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