dragoon shooting high and right

[lcar123]

I've been shooting a 3rd model dragoon (uberti) replica that places its shots high and right. I'm able to compensate while aiming and usually hit close to my target. I would like to correct this so that the revolver will shoot more or less to point of aim at 25 yds. I know I could bring it to a gunsmith and have the front sight replaced.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if so what did you do about it? By the way my load is 40 gr. pyro p, wonder wad, .454 rb., cci #10.

 

[Doc Arroyo]

I am assuming that you are a fine pistol shot, and the trouble is all on the pistol. :v

You could reduce the load to correct the shoots high part of the equation, though you may have to add and inert filler to the load.

Shoots right can be adjusted with a bit of work with a needle file on the sight notch in the hammer. I have an 1860 that I fixed with this method, and it is still the most accurate percussion revolver I own!

 

[graybeard]

Had the same problem with 1860 Colt replica. Still have, as a matter of fact. I've learned to aim off. A file on the hammer notch will help. graybeard

 

[Wes/Tex]

You have to remember that all these revolvers were originally made as 'military' weapons and were sighted for 75 yards...why?...who knows. Nearly all these were originally made for cavalrymen and I don't see them firing away at each other at that range. Be that as it may, the modern copies have been copied right down to the front sights. During the last couple years some of the makers have started using higher front sights to bring things back to center.

As for the horizontal problem, you might try opening up the sight notch on the hammer. First, make the notch sides vertical without opening them up. Next, open the sight notch side in the direction you want the pattern to move. You may be able to bend the front sight a bit. Either, or both, should help. Good luck.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The soldiers were trained to aim for the belt buckle on the opposing horseman, and the gun was designed to shoot to a higher point of impact. That way, if, as pistol shooters are want to do when in a gunfight, they don't get that front site down in the rear sight notch, the ball will hit anywhere from the stomach to the head. A man can duck and be missed by a pistol aimed at his heart or head, but his center of gravity, particularly sitting on a horse, is at his stomach. These guns were not designed to be shot a bullseyes; but rather at human silhouettes. Keep that in mind when you shoot them.

Don't hesitate to reduce the powder charge to bring the poi back down, or to use fillers to keep the ball at the mouth of the chambers. Depending on the size of your hand, the grip of the gun, and the amount of overtravel of the trigger after the sear is released, will often decide whether you have windage problems. Have you fired the gun with your left hand, and with two hand holds? Does it still shoot right? Does it shoot right for other shooters?

Only if the answers to those questions are " Yes ", and there is little to no overtravel in the trigger would I resort to filing that notch in the hammer. I have had one gun that had a notch so obviously off center, and shot so far to the left, that even at 50 feet, it was hitting off the target. That one saw the file fairly early on.