uberti '73 rear site

[cactus joe]

Just bought a Cimarron "73 .45 colt. I notice the rear site has a small screw in it where it is mounted in the dove tail. My question is, does this screw have to be loosened to drift the site for adjustment?  I hope it doesn't cause that is one heck of a small screw. No way i have anything that will fit it. especially when i'm at the range. Thanks joe

[Coal Creek Griff]

My 1873 doesn't have that screw, but my new 1876 carbine does.  I didn't try drifting it without loosening the screw, which does pass through into the dovetail.  It looks to me like, if the screw was tight, it would make drifting more difficult.  I had to dig out a set of jeweler's screwdrivers to find one small enough.  Fortunately it loosened easily--it would be hard to put much force on that tiny screw.

CC Griff

[cactus joe]

Thanks coal creek. I'll have to get me a set of jewelers screw drivers. No way i have any that small in my gun screw driver kit. Might not have to change it anyway, but was wondering about it. I'll have it at the range tomorrow, and soon i'll be putting a marbles tang site on it.

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[Pettifogger]

Yes, the screw is there to help lock the sight in place and needs to be loosened.  It bears on the bottom of the dovetail.  Driving it out without loosening may be difficult and damage the sight when you are trying to drive it out and will put a groove in the bottom of the dovetail.  Yes it is a small screw.  Go to any hardware store and you can buy one for a couple of bucks.

[Cliff Fendley]

If you loosen the screw you can normally move it with your hand no need to drift it.

[cactus joe]

Thanks guys. I'll most likely be removing it anyways, cause i'm going to get a tang site, and it will be in the way.

[Coffinmaker]

PILING ON!!  PLUS ONE TO Pettifogger

Coffinmaker

[cactus joe]

shot the gun today. Shot a little to the right at 50 yds. But that could be all me i'm not the greatest shot. It just seems redundant to have a screw holding the sight in as well as the dove tail. and one that small. Most people don't carry that small of a screw driver with them to the range. I usually have a wooded dowel in my range bag that i use when i'm at the range to adjust sights. When i got home i did loosen the screw, but the sight still needed to be tapped to move it. I do like the sight i just like peeps better.

[Pettifogger]

Most Uberti 73 front sights also have a screw in them as did original Winchesters.  I guess they figured that it is more likely someone has a screwdriver that they will have a hammer and drift with them.  I'm use to working with screws of all sizes.  The screw in the Uberti rear sight really isn't all that small.

[Coffinmaker]

Gunplumbers is always screwing around.  Betcha.

Coffinmaker