Experienced shooter makes rookie installation error

[Joe L]

I have been shooting my P-10F and P-10C using the parts I bought from Wobbly during his estate sale.
P-10F with Apex trigger set disconnector and slide stop lever,
P-10C with Primary Machine match grade barrel.
Sunday I went to the local range to do a safety and function check in an empty bay of the modified P-10F after installing the trigger parts.  All good, so I went back to the range on Tuesday and had a great session at 100 yards with no problems.

The Burris red dot battery on the P-10C went dead last week so I replaced it and shot one target with it on Tuesday after I finished with the F.  Started off OK, but the zero was a little off two clicks for some reason.  I made the correction and took a few more shots and something was wrong.  Hits were erratic and the group was now way right.  I put the gun up and checked it over this morning.

I found that the mounting screws on the sight were loose and the sight could wobble.  CGW had milled the slide for the Burris sight before OR models were available, so there is no sight adapter.  I remember changing out the original sight last year, probably the first time the screws had been touched since leaving the CGW shop maybe 5 years ago.  I bet I didn't apply fresh Loctite to the screws when I changed out the sight.  Wiggling the sight when changing the battery is all it took to free up the sight enough to shift the 100 yard zero.  (It doesn't take much!) 

I think I'll be checking my red dot hardware more often from now on! 


I'm going back to the range today to shoot the P-10F with that fine Apex trigger disconnector and get some experience with it before deciding to make the same changes to the C and S pistols.  And I'll re-zero the P-10C with that fine Primary Machine barrel and a stable red dot sight.

Joe L

[AZ_CZ]

My eyes are terrible and I use RDS on my serious handguns. Issues like this is why I have cowitness backup iron sights. I don’t worry about my target or rimfires guns. My wake up call came when I changed the battery but didn’t realize I had not installed the cover correctly. Figured it out 8 rounds in at the firing line 

[M1A4ME]

I've used loctite for years.  Recently, on another forum, a member pointed out some different stuff called Vibratite.  It is similar to loctite in how it "locks" threads but is also reusable two or three times.  Meaning you can remove the screws and reinstall them and it locks the threads to keep them from loosening even though it's been on the threads awhile.  Haven't tried it yet but the product description reads the same why it was described on that forum.

[Joe L]

I've used loctite for years.  Recently, on another forum, a member pointed out some different stuff called Vibratite.  It is similar to loctite in how it "locks" threads but is also reusable two or three times.  Meaning you can remove the screws and reinstall them and it locks the threads to keep them from loosening even though it's been on the threads awhile.  Haven't tried it yet but the product description reads the same why it was described on that forum.

I may try some of that.  My blue bottle of Loctite is nearly 20 years old and still half full.  It's "aged".  Like me. 

Joe

[M1A4ME]

Some stuff is like a set of tires.  They may still look good awhile after they should have been replaced. 

And yes, I have no idea how old my bottle of loctite is - but I no longer buy those big bottles.  Last one I had the threaded neck finally broke off one time when I was tightening the lid on it.  Wish I had a picture of my face when that happened.  Surprise at it breaking like that and disappointment at losing so much (old) loctite.  Tried to save it in a ziploc bag but it dried up anyway.

[RSR]

Some stuff is like a set of tires.  They may still look good awhile after they should have been replaced. 

And yes, I have no idea how old my bottle of loctite is - but I no longer buy those big bottles.  Last one I had the threaded neck finally broke off one time when I was tightening the lid on it.  Wish I had a picture of my face when that happened.  Surprise at it breaking like that and disappointment at losing so much (old) loctite.  Tried to save it in a ziploc bag but it dried up anyway.

I've done the exact same thing -- and have also had the lid split when tightening too hard too...