I'm looking at buying a new Ruger GP100 in .357 to use as a house/truck gun and as a companion for outdoors excursions. I'm not sure whether I should get fixed or adjustable sights. Adj. seem nice, but the models with them are quite a bit heavier than those with fixed sights - not a huge issue becasue this isn't a carry gun. Plus, the sight picture with the fixed sights isn't too bad. I'll probably be shooting a LOT of .38's through it at the range, along with a box or two of hot .357's every now and then. Let me know what you think.
Fixed or Adjustable sights on new Ruger GP100?
- Thread starter Baker Boy
- Start date
If you don't intend to carry it then adjustable sights are definitely nicer than fixed sights.
Fixed sights are obviously more durable, but they either force you to put up with POA/POI discrepancies (small ones, you hope). If the sights are significatly off (or significantly off for the particular load you choose) then adjusting them can be difficult or impossible.
The weight differences you're seeing are a result of the gun model, not the sights. The fixed sight GP100 revolvers have a lighter barrel while the adjustable sight guns usually have a full underlug heavy barrel. Anyway, a heavy gun is usually more fun to shoot--less recoil--it's only when you carry that light is right.
Fixed sights are obviously more durable, but they either force you to put up with POA/POI discrepancies (small ones, you hope). If the sights are significatly off (or significantly off for the particular load you choose) then adjusting them can be difficult or impossible.
The weight differences you're seeing are a result of the gun model, not the sights. The fixed sight GP100 revolvers have a lighter barrel while the adjustable sight guns usually have a full underlug heavy barrel. Anyway, a heavy gun is usually more fun to shoot--less recoil--it's only when you carry that light is right.
I agree with John, but slightly different...
If you are going to always use one load and use this in the sense of a duty gun, go with fixed sights. You can beat them to fit your chosen ammo; they don't 'drift' off, and they don't break.
If you are going to use more than one kind of ammo, and this is a even semi-recreational gun, go with adjustables.
If you are going to always use one load and use this in the sense of a duty gun, go with fixed sights. You can beat them to fit your chosen ammo; they don't 'drift' off, and they don't break.
If you are going to use more than one kind of ammo, and this is a even semi-recreational gun, go with adjustables.
FrankDrebin
Moderator
I prefer fixed sights on a gun that isn't going to be used for serious competition. I've never had problems putting rounds in the center of mass from a realistic distance with any brand or weight of factory ammo I've ever shot. And fixed sights don't jab you in the side as much as adjustables, or tear your clothes up as much.
Archie's point pretty much crystalizes the issue, IMO. For carry, simple and strong is better...test and select one load and know how POA compares to POI at reasonable ranges.
But, for most other uses, adjustable sights make much more sense. Without them, its hard to take care of the flexibility of the revolver, which will let you shoot any safe load, no matter how slow or fast, heavy or light.
But, for most other uses, adjustable sights make much more sense. Without them, its hard to take care of the flexibility of the revolver, which will let you shoot any safe load, no matter how slow or fast, heavy or light.
Fixed. Unless you want to shoot formal target, there are so many .357 loads available you would have to be very unlucky not to find loads for most other purposes that would shoot close enough to point of aim. They really need only be very close to center and on or above the point of aim. As long as they are close to center one can easily adjust for a "low hold" when sighting.
Of course there are measures to keep it at bay, but when adjustable rear sights rust it is difficult to get it all out sometimes without taking them off and stripping them. Protectives are apt to rub off being somewhat a prominent projection much in the same way as hammer spurs.
Fixed rear revolver sights being an integral part of the frame and very low profile are not likely to get snagged on anything or damaged.
Of course there are measures to keep it at bay, but when adjustable rear sights rust it is difficult to get it all out sometimes without taking them off and stripping them. Protectives are apt to rub off being somewhat a prominent projection much in the same way as hammer spurs.
Fixed rear revolver sights being an integral part of the frame and very low profile are not likely to get snagged on anything or damaged.