Windage adjustment stuck? S&W Model 41

[Charlie Martinez]

Today I tried to adjust windage adjustment on my S&W Model 41 and it would not budge. Didn't force it but tried elevation adjustment & it works fine. I don't remember the last time I adjusted windage but I'm pretty sure I've done it before. Never used locktite or anything like that.
Any ideas or suggestions will be most welcome.

 

[troy fairweather]

use some heat and try to get some penetrating oil in the screw. i mix ATF with mineral spirits.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Thanks I'll try (WD40 OK?) lubricating the screw. To be sure the pistol is in excellent condition & this has never happened to me. All that is needed to adjust windage is turn the windage adjustment screw right? Nothing else needs to be loosened first?

 

[Texas10mm]

Don't use WD40. It's a poor penetrating oil and dries to a varnish. Mix ATF and acetone.

 

[troy fairweather]

WD is not the best for screws it will leave a film. there could be old oil on the screw that has hardened you can even use a hair dryer if you are worried about to much heat https://www.bevfitchett.us/smith-wesson-model-41/rear-sight-adjustment.html

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Good idea about the hair dryer. What is ATF?

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Automatic transmission fluid?

 

[troy fairweather]

Automatic transmission fluid?

yes, not the ones knocking on your door lol.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Good one. Thanks buddy I wasn't thinking straight. I just dropped the slide butt first into a jar of ATF & acetone. I'll see if it moves tomorrow after a good soak.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Pictures of the sights as requested

 

[troy fairweather]

Pictures of the sights as requested

any luck

 

[Charlie Martinez]

No, its back in the ATF jar until I can get something that's better. Did the pictures help?

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I tried the hair dryer & didn't do the job. Maybe tomorrow something will happen. If they won't budge soon I may decide to replace the sights. Do you recommend anything other than the original S&W replacements? I shoot informal bullseye rounds with it but don't want to go with dot sights.

 

[troy fairweather]

does the screw driver want to slip. you may have to make a custom fit bit. i have done work on the 41 before, i did a full restore and bluing on one last year, i do believe there are after market sights for the 41, i believe numrich may have some to. you may need more heat, a bic lighter will work.

 

[edwardware]

I have known those S&W sight screw plungers to stick rather stubbornly. Get a screwdriver that really fits well, or grind one to fit, oil (sounds like that's covered), and rock the screw back and forth. If it's a stuck plunger it should rock loose.

If it's rusted, the quality of your penetrating oil becomes very important. Kroil, and a little heat, is best.

 

[243winxb]

Soak in Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil . https://www.liquidwrench.com/product/penetrating-oil/

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Thank you everyone for your help. I'll be getting the best penetrating oil I can find I begin soaking overnight. Hopefully the screw will move. If I apply direct heat (like a lighter) will it affect the bluing? I'll post results when something happens.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I almost forgot, what is the function of the small screw on the opposite side of the adjustment screw? (you can see in picture no. 3) Ive had other adjustable sights where both right & left side screws needed to be loosened for windage adjustment. Could this be the issue here also?

 

[shoobe01]

Too much heat will impact the blueing. And, don't use open flame if you can avoid it, but heat.

Do you have a soldering iron? That is a way to apply heat to a small area. But me, I'd work on screwdrivers, securing the work, and let the liquid wrench (my favorite also!) do their work first.

 

[edwardware]

. . . what is the function of the small screw on the opposite side of the adjustment screw?

That's the sight adjustment screw retainer nut. Don't try to turn it; it's threaded on and then the end of the adjustment screw is swaged with a punch to lock into the nut.

To disassemble, the nut is turned until the screw twists off, and a new screw and nut is required.

Here's a good view: link.

 

[Texas10mm]