Need Help for Rear Sight Windage Problem on Single Six

[UnderDawgAl]

I'm about to bang my head against a wall for an hour or so.

I bought a new Ruger Single Six, took it to the range twice, and saw that it's shooting about 2 inches to the left with different kinds of .22 LR and CB Long ammo.

With my jeweler's screwdriver, I tried to turn the windage screw counterclockwise to move the rear blade right. Well, the screw refused to turn that direction. So, I turned it one click clockwise and then tried to turn it back one click to its original setting. Nothing.

One more click clockwise. Still would NOT turn counterclockwise. I did this until the blade was all the to the left of the rear sight slot.

I called Ruger this Monday. They sent me a new rear sight assembly, which arrived late today. Just now pulled the new one out of the envelope. The rear sight blade is centered in the slot. Tried to turn the screw counterclockwise...NOTHING. Of course, it'll turn the other direction. From the effort, the blade is now twisted on my screwdriver.

Anybody else had this issue with the rear sight? What's the deal? Am I missing something?

I'll be calling Ruger tomorrow to see if their customer support dept. is open. Failing that, I'll call again on Monday and ask to speak to a gunsmith there.

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Underdawg...

One step you probably should take is to see if it shoots 2" left with someone else doing the shooting. Even at relatively short range the 2" windage error could easily be "shooter induced" by some minor gliche in the shooter's grip like trigger finger placement or trigger finger control.
It's easy enough for anyone to have a little error sneak into their grip.
If it shoots left for someone else then you'll have eliminated one important variable and can know addressing the sights is the right course.

HTH

 

[RecoilRob]

I just played with my GP-100 which has a similar setup and it WAS hard to turn counter-clockwise. The screw has notches on the inside surface that contacts the blade which give you the 'clicks'.

Sometimes, they stick on the blade and prevent the screw from turning easily. Try pushing the blade to the left against the spring and then turning the screw. You will find it turns easily.

 

[Neophyte1]

thought maybe

UnderDawgAl: Sir; I checked the Ruger service to see something I thought I had remembered. Wrong.
Two spring and a blade. Maybe some locking material to prevent movement under firing conditions. Use a 'Bic' lighter; and warm the mechanism; while warm try the screw.
follow up with your experience

 

[rcmodel]

Get a better screw-driver!

Those cheap jewelers screwdriver sets from Radio Shack & Harbor Freight have tapered blades that ruin gun-screw slots, slip easily, and are very soft to begin with. And you can't use any force because of the little slick handles.

Good:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...ct_id=4939702&sourceid=1500000000000003260410

Better:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=776936

Best:
https://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=4979&title=DELUXE+GUN+SCREWDRIVER+SET


rcmodel

 

[deanodog]

Very...Very unlikey that two sets of Ruger sights are at fault. Start over, take your time and you will figure it out.

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Thanks, guys, for your responses.

I spent another 45 minutes or so working on them again last night. Through brute force and a destroyed screwdriver, I was able to get both sets of sights to turn counterclockwise. NOTE: From the outset, they both turned clockwise with no effort .

Recoilrob, I'm glad to hear that you noticed a similarity.

When the screw EASILY turns clockwise but then refuses to turn counterclockwise even one click, then either it's a faulty screw or a design issue that requires a trick of some sort to get it to cooperate. My guess now is that it's the latter--a safety measure to keep the screw from walking out b/c counterclockwise indeed removes the screw.

No passing the buck here--I used a cheap screwdriver, but the force required to advance the screw one direction, versus no force needed for the opposite direction, seemed a little excessive.

Brownells is calling. Thanks for the link, rcmodel.

 

[RecoilRob]

But....if you just press the sight to the left a little, you can adjust it with your fingernail if you want. Why do you want to spend money when the sight CAN be adjusted easily, if you just know how?

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Maybe with your sight, but that wasn't the case with these. I tried pressing to the left AND to the right on both sights, multiple times to no avail. Now that I've gotten them to turn counterclockwise, they are turning easily with no pressing and no pressure. Getting that first click counterclockwise, though, was a bear. Unfortunately, I damaged the screwdriver in the process.