Need help with sights on OMT 38

[Zeke38]

Bought a OMT 6" 38 Spl. last weekend. It has been reblued and in fine mechanical condition with 90% bluing. Shot the gun yesterday at the local indoor range using a load of 4.5 grains of Unique and a 158grain cast SWC. Bullets were .358 and "finger pushed through the cylinder chambers with just a hint of resistance.

Six shot group at 25 yds, offhand 3" that's as good as I can do.

Elevation was off as the group printed a foot high. Looked at the front sight to adjust it and found the sight had all the elevation movement taken out of it.

Is it possible to find or purchase a taller rear sight? How do I solve this problem. I use this load in a OP 4" and DS and it shoots fine. I also use it in my S&Ws and it shoots great.

Just guessing it appears weapon has been regulated for six o clock hold on a 50yd target. Serial# of Weapon is:3178XX.

Appreciate your responses! Tom

[porsche]

I think you would raise the front sight to shoot lower and lower (when possible) the rear sight to shoot lower.

[smkummer]

Which sights do you have? If it is the patridge style (it should have a square notch rear sight) that one uses a 6 oclock hold such as modern style accro sights, make sure you are using the 6 oclock hold. And remember that the front sight goes down to raise the point of impact. If you have the bead front sight which is more common with earlier guns and should have a "U" channel rear sight, you center the front bead over your target and do not use the 6 oclock hold.

[Zeke38]

It's the older style with the gold bead front with elevation adjustment, and the shallow u notch rear with windage adjustment. The front sight is bottomed out which means my elevation is at it's lowest. I put the front bead in the u notch and hold a six o clock hold. The gun still shoots to same point of aim.

It's on for windage. Will raise front sight and see what happens.

[porsche]

With front sight low it will shoot high. I think if you are able to raise the front sight you will find it will shoot lower.

[A1A]

It's the older style with the gold bead front with elevation adjustment, and the shallow u notch rear with windage adjustment. The front sight is bottomed out which means my elevation is at it's lowest. I put the front bead in the u notch and hold a six o clock hold. The gun still shoots to same point of aim.

It's on for windage. Will raise front sight and see what happens.

Your front sight is certainly at its lowest, and your POI would be at its highest. Sounds like raising your front sight a little will bring it right in.

[Zeke38]

Thanks Guys I got "gutsy" this afternoon and loosened the adjustment screw on the right side of the front sight assy. The front sight popped up like a squirrel from a hole. Spring loaded, who knew! I set the front sight in the middle of the adjustment range and will go to the shooting range this coming week.

A little more about this revolver: it's been reblued and the timing is "on the money" about 90% blue on gun with the original wood grips.

Thanks for your help, I've never felt a trigger better than what's on this old Officers Model Target. I'm going to enjoy this gun for a long time. I put a Tyler T on the grip frame and it makes it so comfortable. I will post a pic when I get some decent light. Today is blowing snow and wind at 40-50 mph with gusts to 70.

[twaits]

These are great shooting guns. I have one from 1904. You can see how nice it still shoots 108 years later here:

1904 Officers Model range report

[Zeke38]

Niiiicce Group and a sense of humor thrown in. My OMT was built in 1912. Thanks for the link, I enjoy the camraderie found on this forum.

[A1A]

Just for the sake of trivia, the Target designation did not come into use until circa 1930. Up to then, they were just Officers Models.