s&w top strap hole?

[Fat Boy]

I am trying to repair/replace the rear sight on my Model 28. The screw head at the front of the leaf was badly damaged when I acquired the gun I managed to drill it out enough to remove the entire leaf with the rear sight intact. At this point, I am trying to remove the rest of the front screw, which remains are pretty much flush with the frame surface area. I think I can see a hole on the bottom of the frame topstrap, just above the forcing cone of the barrel, which would appear to be where the leaf screw comes into the top of the topstrap. I am asking all this because I am considering drilling through the screw remnants, IF THERE IS AN OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TOPSTRAP...if there isn't, I don't want to drill through the topstrap...

I would appreciate any help on this, and any ideas you might have for getting the rest of that screw out. My goal is to buy another leaf and sight from Numrich, or some other source and replace the whole thing.

I posted this question on the s&w forum, but wanted to ask here as well, to get all the information possible

Thanks!

 

[kle]

I was of the impression that the hole should go all the way through the frame; you should be able to open the cylinder and look just above the forcing cone on the frame and see the bottom of it. At least, that's how it is with my 686-1M (the earliest 'Smith I have with adjustable sights).

Maybe it isn't like that with the N-frames...

ETA: yes, that's the hole you see--that's the sight-screw hole.

 

[dfariswheel]

Before drilling, try to "pick" the shank out.

Often the shank is not under any real tension once the head is snapped off and you can use a very sharp X-Acto knife or a sharp needle to turn the shank out.
Put the sharp point on the outer rim of the screw, get the point to "dig in" the shank, and try to turn the screw.

Another option is one of the screw extractors sold by Sears that bites into a screw and turns it out.
I don't know if they sell one that small, but use it in a pin vise BY HAND to turn the shank out.

 

[earplug]

Make sure you can get a replacement sight.

First make sure you can get a replacement sight. Then proceed.
Set the revolver in a steady vice and use a center drill to remove the screw. You can find them at a machine tool store or order from some gunsmith supply shops. If that fails, I believe the newer guns use a slightly larger screw that you may be able to retro fit in the same hole. Would need to drill and tap etc.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Possibly a reverse-twist ("left-handed") drill bit? (Your drill motor must be reversible, of course.) It might catch and spin the screw out.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Possibly a reverse-twist ("left-handed") drill bit? (Your drill motor must be reversible, of course.) It might catch and spin the screw out.

+1
I would use a left handed drill bit, if you can't find one, then right handed and the appropriate size e-z out.