Have you filed the sight notch in your Colt’s hammer for sighting adjustment?

[Old-Duckman]

I have seen a couple of videos of people doing this to adjust their point of impact.

I have only shot my Dragon about 25 times and only from about 11 yards. I would not make any adjustments at this early stage and I don’t like the idea of filling off some of the color case hardening. My POI is about 4” to the right and I have only tried 30 grains of Pyrodex P.

Any thoughts, insight, advice etc.?

 

[bang]

My understanding of adjusting windage is to adjust the mating surface of barrel assembly where the barrel and frame meet. Don't adjust the main frame. Barrel assembly least expensive. A tedious project for sure. Might at least check those surfaces for unevenness.
Have heard of people shimming the hammer but only if there is side play.
Have you shot it and changed up hand and trigger finger positioning?
It's very easy to push or pull to the side when squeezing the trigger.
Best to have dove tail front sight but sometimes we do get to choose.

 

[Bad Karma]

I have seen a couple of videos of people doing this to adjust their point of impact.

I have only shot my Dragon about 25 times and only from about 11 yards. I would not make any adjustments at this early stage and I don’t like the idea of filling off some of the color case hardening. My POI is about 4” to the right and I have only tried 30 grains of Pyrodex P.

Any thoughts, insight, advice etc.?

Yes. Between that and working on the foresight you can get them dialed in tightly. I would sell a gun before I would file on the underlug to “adjust” point of impact. It’s just not necessary and you’ll end up with a barrel/cylinder gap that’s uneven top to bottom, left to right or a little of both. Something I’ve never seen on a match grade revolver. I have seen it on plinkers but the guns are capable of so much more.
This one was filed enough to lower the point of impact by 8 inches at 25 yards in conjunction with a taller front blade.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Yes, using a dremel cut off disc. However, I find that lowering the POI is more easily accomplished by replacing the front sight with a taller blade.
After fabricating my own Sight Adjustment

We discovered that Taylors offers a replacement sight intended for cartridge conversion guns.

 

[Bad Karma]

Yes, using a dremel cut off disc. However, I find that lowering the POI is more easily accomplished by replacing the front sight with a taller blade.
After fabricating my own Sight Adjustment

We discovered that Taylors offers a replacement sight intended for cartridge conversion guns.

UB:900015 is the part number at vtigunparts.com

these help and on the shorter barrels they’re usually pretty close. Or can use the 1873 SAA foresight if you need more or you’re working with an 8” barrel.

 

[m-g willy]

I used a Dremel to cut my rear sight on my 1851 navy revolver,,I worked up a load and then cut the rear sight down to bring bullet impact down to point of aim,,I then filed the sides of the front sight to make it look like a post from the rear but still has the same profile from the side,,Then I filed the rear sight to notch to get the gun shoot poi to match poa,,It now has replaced my S&W model 17 for my small game hunting.

 

[Dickydalton]

 

[Ed C.]

I don't like the idea of filing the hammer. I removed the front sight on my 1851 Navy and replaced it with a taller sight fashioned from a brass screw. Drilled and soldered it into place to lower point of impact.View attachment DSC_2675.Sjpg.jpg

 

[B P Arn]

I don't like the idea of filing the hammer. I removed the front sight on my 1851 Navy and replaced it with a taller sight fashioned from a brass screw. Drilled and soldered it into place to lower point of impact.View attachment 162825

I have done the same thing to a few of mine, but rather than solder, I just used a dab of JB Weld epoxy paste.

 

[Old-Duckman]

Thanks all. I don't like the idea of modifying a firearm unless it is for the better and preferably reversible. Many of you answered regarding elevation...that is not my issue, it is windage.

I used to subscribe to a magazine "Rifle". On the contents page they had a quotation. 'Only accurate rifles are interesting." I agree so after some more shooting of the Dragoon I may have to modify the hammer notch sight though I really don't want to. But, I know that I won't really want to shoot it if I can't hit what I am aiming at. And, I suppose that I could always buy a replacement hammer should I want to return it to its original condition.

I know that if I were buying a used BP revolver, I would be turned off to that sale had the previous owner reground the notch in the hammer. My thoughts regarding modifying the hammer would be to use a diamond needle file so as to try and make the modification as little noticeable as practical. I'm sure that I would also touch-up blu on the areas I took down to white. No touch-up color case hardening (sadly) but bluing would make the mod less noticeably. And, this "adjustment" would have to be done at the shooting bench and done slowly. You can't put metal back once you have removed it.

As one of you suggested, how I hold the pistol has a lot to do with where the POI is. I noticed when dry firing my Remington that the heavy hammer throw does tend to rotate the barrel to the right (where the Dragoon is hitting as well). I do feel that it is more than that though but that is why I would want to shoot it more before I made any modification.

Thanks all for the advice, suggestions and photos. It will take more target time before I take the plunge!

 

[Justin.44]

I know that if I were buying a used BP revolver, I would be turned off to that sale had the previous owner reground the notch in the hammer.

Like this? Ha! Bought this one from a guy on here and the pics conveniently didn't show this ridiculously notched hammer. It was cheap at least...

 

[user 48702]

Like this? Ha! Bought this one from a guy on here and the pics conveniently didn't show this ridiculously notched hammer. It was cheap at least...

How does it shoot/accuracy? Looks like the same concept as a ghost sight.

 

[M. De Land]

I have seen a couple of videos of people doing this to adjust their point of impact.

I have only shot my Dragon about 25 times and only from about 11 yards. I would not make any adjustments at this early stage and I don’t like the idea of filling off some of the color case hardening. My POI is about 4” to the right and I have only tried 30 grains of Pyrodex P.

Any thoughts, insight, advice etc.?

I did replace the front sight on my 60 with a brass blade for a six o'clock hold on an eight ring bull at 25 yards but the blade has to be lined up with the right ear of the V notch on the hammer nose. Actually it works out pretty well for me as to sight picture !

 

[Joemolf]

Thanks all. I don't like the idea of modifying a firearm unless it is for the better and preferably reversible.

It’s very reversible simply order a new hammer from Taylors. I have deepened the notch on a couple of mine pretty simple and I have not gone replaced them with the spares I purchased. I’m amazed by the accuracy of both the Colts and Remington at distance.

 

[Justin.44]

How does it shoot/accuracy? Looks like the same concept as a ghost sight.

I actually haven't shot it yet. I'm going to put a new hammer on it soon.

 

[William P Sepessy]

FWIW, I have filed a square notch in the hammer using Swiss files. With the hammer in the cocked position, work slowly and the job can be done very cleanly by hand. I read where the rear sight notch on a Colt SAA was about .085-.090 and luckily several of my square files were about that size. No need to cut the notch any larger than that.

 

[Stantheman86]

Ruger filed rear sights open to the left or right to adjust windage on "unmentionables "

Colt employees most likely test fired revolvers to ensure they hit to POA but repro Italian makers do not.

Before you start filing, put the revolver on sandbags and use a proper trigger pull, and make sure it's the gun and not you

 

[fistmil]

I replaced the front sight in my 51 navy with a brass rod and filed down to poa at 25 yards . I've also file notch in hamer to adjust windage. I purchased a spare hammer and notched that one. Saved the original hammer un-altered. She's dead on at 25yards now.

 

[Pete453]

Yes. Three times. Also V'd out the rear sight on my 58 remington. We had a woodswalk at the club yesterday. 25 shots. Using my 58, only 1 rifle shooter beat me. 23 to 21. Granted, we only had nine shooters, but i beat six rifles and one good trade gun shooter. In the woods or during magic time when hunting, being able to use every last bit of light makes a huge difference.

 

[Bad Karma]

Ruger filed rear sights open to the left or right to adjust windage on "unmentionables "

Colt employees most likely test fired revolvers to ensure they hit to POA but repro Italian makers do not.

Before you start filing, put the revolver on sandbags and use a proper trigger pull, and make sure it's the gun and not you

colts destined for service duty were fired 6 times, cleaned, oiled, and shipped. Those destined for civilian sales might have been randomly test fired and they might not.