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The Blackhawk Kid

Blackhawk
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Mar 24, 2013
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here 'n there
I have a NM Blackhawk, 41 mag. I loaded some ammo and went to shoot it. I read the manual, how to adjust the sights. I finally got the elevation set but it still shoots 6" left. The sight blade moves. I took the blade out and it doesn't have any burrs or missing parts. It still shoots 6" to the left. It doesn't follow how the manual says to adjust. Any other ideas? My load: 7.4 grs of W231 is a good manageable load. I shot at 7-10 yards and then at 25 yards. Still shoots LEFT. Thanks BHK
 
Turn the left/right adjusting screw counter-clockwise and you should feel some indents as you turn and you should see the blade go to the right. If the blade moves to the right the gun will shoot more to the right. It is possible the blade is stuck and won't slide so stick a fingernail in the slot and see if you can slide it by hand while turning the screw counter-clockwise.
 
Thanks Jimbo, The detents were there, the blade moved to the right. The blade wasn't stuck. I'll shoot it 2morrow and see if it's better. I'll post the results. Thanks dave
 
Here's an update. I got a Bowen sight to install on my Blackhawk. The installation was easy. I found bad burrs in the cut-out in the frame. A little judicious filing and stoning and it all went together. When I went to shoot, I got a pleasant surprise. I was shooting at a bowling pin at 25 yards. First shot was still LEFT 3". Elevation was level and OK. I made two adjustments which I loosened the left windage screw and tightened the right one. The first shot on a new reload I nailed the pin dead center. So now I at least am on paper and shoot to POI. Now All I'm gonna do is load and do some shooting! Interesting Note. The Bowen sight instructions reccommend to crank the sight elevation all the way down and file the front sight if needed. Bowen also says if elevation is needed use the ELEV screw. When it's where you like, tighten the set screw. Blue Loc-Tite all screws. Now all I gotta do is shoot! BHK
 
The Blackhawk Kid said:
First shot was still LEFT 3". Elevation was level and OK. I made two adjustments which I loosened the left windage screw and tightened the right one. BHK

I'm glad you got it sighted in but for the life of me, what you did is backwards. Do you say that right?
The rear sight is always adjusted in the same direction that you want the point of impact to move. You moved the rear blade to the left and say the POI moved 3" to the right???
 
I said it wrong. I loosened the left windage(Bowen sight) and tightened the right windage screw and it brought the POI dead center! After 2 adjustments. I'm going to get another Bowen sight for my 357 Hawk. I found several bad burrs in the mill cut in the sight cut-out. Yes, you go the direction you need to go when adjusting windage. It didn't work that way with the burrs messing me up. Yah, I was talking to myself! The instructions that come with the Bowen sight are VERY GOOD. If I knew how to scan I would post the Bowen instructions. It makes for a good reference read. BHK
 
The Blackhawk Kid said:
I said it wrong. I loosened the left windage(Bowen sight) and tightened the right windage screw and it brought the POI dead center! After 2 adjustments. I'm going to get another Bowen sight for my 357 Hawk. I found several bad burrs in the mill cut in the sight cut-out. Yes, you go the direction you need to go when adjusting windage. It didn't work that way with the burrs messing me up. Yah, I was talking to myself! The instructions that come with the Bowen sight are VERY GOOD. If I knew how to scan I would post the Bowen instructions. It makes for a good reference read. BHK
The Bowen sight has two windage adj. screws. To move the POI to the right, loosen the LEFT screw and tighten the right. I said it right. The factory Ruger sight just has ONE windage adj screw. I think the Bowen sight is a better sight, more adjustments>rock solid. BHK
 
That's still backwards, you moved the sight to the left which would move the point of Impact further left. You'd have to loosen the right side screw and tighten the left side screw to move the blade to the right.

The Ruger sight with one screw gives the same result, loosen the screw (turn counterclockwise) and the blade moves to the right. Tighten the screw and the blade moves left against spring tension.

The Bowen adjust differently but movement of the blade is the s same. And that's how the Smith and Wesson pre war sight works with two screws.

Are you sure the gun wasn't grouping to the right of center?
 
Well, however you say it, here is what the instructions that came with the Bowen rear sight. "If you need to adjust the sight blade to the right, loosen the left side screwand then tighten the right side screw the appropriate amount." All I did was follow these directions and 2 adjustments later I was dead center. At 7 yards away, from a steady rest 6-12" left. I had these directions with me on the bench, and I got it centered! I can hit a bowling pin at 40 yards, 41 mag w/210 gr XTP, 7.5 231, WLP. I'll send you a copy of these instructions if you want. These 70 year old eyes and head don't always work together. A good day shooting, is a good day! A bad day shooting is still better than a good day at work! BHK
 
Hi Kid,

I understand what your saying and I thank you for your patience with this 66 year old guy with fading eye sight and mind also! I may never figure this out and it's not important. And I believe what you say about the instructions. So thank you for the offer to send them, but no need to take the trouble to send, I've been a big enough pain in the rear already.

I think I just figured out why I couldn't understand: I'm not familiar with Bowen sights.

It sounds like the Bowen sight uses a combination of the pre war S&W 2 adjustment screw sight and their post war Micro Click with one adj screw that threads into the blade. The Bowen must have a threaded blade too, so when you tighten the right side screw, it pulls the blade to the right (works opposite of the Ruger factory one screw sight which pushes the blade left when tightened, and when loosened the spring pushes the blade to the right,).

And in addition, the Bowen has the left side screw which doesn't do any adjustment, it's just a lock screw. Indeed I see why it's such a great sight!

Thanks for the "edjacation" partner,
 
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