Sighting in Mk III w/Adjustable sights

[Darkroast]

Recently purchased a new SS Mark III Hunter with fluted barrel. On the left side, behind the loaded chamber indicator it is marked as a Mark III Target while on the right side, behind the ejection port it is marked Mark III Hunter. (Just so you know which I am asking about)

Out of the box, with the sight picture shown in the manual, shooting from a sandbag and standing with two handed grip at 50 feet it was off the paper (8 1/2x11) Closing in to about half the distance it was printing at 11:00 and about 8 inches from the point of aim. I didn't have a screw driver to fit the screws exactly and, not wanting to booger up the screws, switched to my 1911 for the day.

Next time out I adjusted it as far as it would go and it was still poking holes 4" above the point of aim.

A friend who is an excellent shot with long and short guns and a competetive long range shooter with pistol training from the folks at The Benning School for Boys down on the Chatahootchie said I should bury the front sight. Not to worry about the sight picture in the manual, "Just bury it!"

Well I did. With only the barest hint of the red trijicon showing in the notch of the rear sight it will hit about where I expect.

I can't believe this is the way the gun is supposed to run. Switching back to my 1911 with Heine sights (Which I really like) takes a couple of mags and some real concentration to get my mind back into 1911 mode and hit where I want. This defeats the purpose of the 22, which was to be some cheaper practice.

Has anyone else had this experience? Is there a simple fix? AM I doing something really stupid? Or does the gun need to go to the Gun Doctor?

 

[ranger1]

When you say you adjusted it as far as would go, I assume you're talking about the top elevation screw? If you are shooting high, you should lower the rear sight. Is this what you did?

You might also want to check the rear sight base set screw, the small screw on the top left of the sight base. The one on my new Hunter was loose and my whole rear sight base drifted to the left in the dovetail while I was shooting. I also replaced the V-notch sight blade with a square notch blade. I called Ruger and they sent me one free. The V notch didn't work for me.

 

[Darkroast]

Yes Ranger, I lowered the elevation screw as far as it would go, then adjusted the windage a bit. That got it lined up right to left and dropped the point of impact substantially but still shooting high unless I "Bury the Front sight"

Thanks for the tip on Ruger sending the square notch rear sight. I would much prefer it to the scooped out hollow/rounded V that I have now.

I'm a geezer with tri-focals and frequently see ghost images when looking at 3 dot sights. I guess that is why I like the 2 dot Heine sights on my 1911 so much.... much less problem with seeing extra dots!

 

[ranger1]

You won't have three dots with the square notch, but you will have a better view of the front sight!