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Single Action shooting low

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BigAl52
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Single Action shooting low

Post by BigAl52 » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:27 pm

I have a Uberti El Paton with an action job from the factory. Its 45 Colt and shoots low. Anyone here put the file to the front sight on these or do you just hold high.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by fortyshooter » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:35 pm

That is a normal occurrence with a lot of SA six shooters with fixed sights. I would try different loads and adjust the front sight with file to get your favorite load to point of aim. Better low than high! Also how is the windage?
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by Team Roper » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:48 pm

I have a pair of Ruger Vaqueros in 38/357 that I have had to find the load I like and then file the front sight to accommodate that load because they were hitting low to start.
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BigAl52
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by BigAl52 » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:59 pm

Need to take it out again with some loads Forty. I think Im going to adjust it to the 250gr bullets but from what I can remember the windage was good.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by RanchRoper » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:10 pm

I would just hold a little high...but that's just me.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by The Wiz » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:17 pm

I hold mine high.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by fortyshooter » Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:39 pm

Try the 12 o clock hold and see what happens. How low does it shoot and from what distance?
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by BigAl52 » Mon Oct 12, 2020 7:06 pm

Its about 3 inches low at 15 yards. Ive never really cared for that 12 oclock hold if you are shooting a smaller target you are covering up the target. I might just sell the gun and shoot the Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by Shakey Jake » Tue Oct 13, 2020 11:19 am

I filed the front site of my Ruger Vaquero. I didn't have any qualms about doing it. Just go slow.
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Re: Single Action shooting low

Post by North Country Gal » Tue Oct 13, 2020 7:17 pm

Very common for a fixed sight single action to shoot low. In fact, I suspect that Ruger makes the Vaqueros with a taller than needed front sight because they expect cowboy action shooters to file down the sight as needed. Have done it on several of those. I don't see shooting low as much of a problem on these guns or even a defect for that matter because it's such an easy fix. Doesn't bother me in the least to file down the front sight as needed for my favorite load and my favorite distance and then just use whatever it takes to hold at other distances. I'd much rather file down the front sight than cover up the target to get the needed holdover.

A single action that shoots high is a real headache and, for me, a reason to trade off a gun if need be. Have done it with a couple. Not an easy fix.

Here's my Cimarron/Pietta 357 Frontier that I got lightly used at a bargain price. Shooting 357s is downright nasty with this one, so I filed down the front sight to use the gun with 38s, since, of course, 38s shoot much lower. No regrets at all, because this one is crazy accurate and fun to shoot with the 38s, plus I have a Uberti Colt in 357 for shooting 357s (and don't shoot it much because it stings with 357s.)

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