Fixed sights
- Thread starter Drummer101
- Start date
Amigo, if you can shoot well enough to keep your shots in a half inch, or even an inch at an "acceptable" handgun distance (most folks like to shoot 25 yards or so, but 10 is good too), then buy a gun with adjustable sights.
Don't take me wrong, because it's entirely possible, but if all of your bullets hit your target within a half inch of where you aim, be happy.
In fact, be VERY happy.
I like fixed sights. Drift adjustable are fine too. Fully adjustable sights are more fragile, and can break at times. They're great for range shooting, but not-so-great for hard, heavy use.
I once found that out the hard way on a bear hunt using a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Ruger was great to deal with, and they sent me a new site free of charge, but that was after my hunt was over. Ol' Murphy is evil.
But don't sweat the small stuff; if fixed sights are going to bug you, then buy your handguns with adjustable sights.
Easy fix, right?
Daryl
I prefer adjustable sights
Because I really like to be able to have my guns shoot where I aim. Not the other way around.
Fixed sights come zeroed from the factory for one load, at one range. And not every one looks through the sights the same way.
Depending on the use of the gun, fixed sights don't bother me much, however I find adjustble sights very preferable for some guns. I prefer them on my .22s. And on magnums. Got no problem with fixed sights on belly guns.
Everybody knows "adjustable sights are too fragile, too easily knocked out of wack".....I don't see that as true today. A century ago, when adjustable sights were flimsy target sights that sat high up off the frame, ok, I buy that.
But not so much today. Yes, I know that they are not quite as rugged as fixed sights, but to be honest, I don't put my guns through that kind of abuse. Guess I don't lead the same kind of life as some guys.
Fixed sights can be adjusted, by modifiying the gun. Once changed, there's no easy way back. Actually I rarely adjust adjustable sights. But I like having the ability to do so, when and if I need to. I shoot different bullet weights, different velocities, and different ranges, and I like to be able to fine tune things if I want.
Not all handgunning is 7yd self defense shooting. How many .44 magnums come with fixed sights? I can only think of two, the Ruger Vaquero (to keep its Colt SAA appearance) and the Desert Eagle (and I have no idea why they don't come with an adjustable sight as standard, except to be cheap
).
None of my Contender barrels have fixed sights, its either adjustable or a scope base (and a scope is an adjustable sight!
).
Fixed sights are way better than no sights. Fixed sights are fine for a lot of shooting. But for my use, if I have the option, I'll pick adjustable sights, every time. I have about a half dozen fixed sight handguns. I have a bit more than that with adjustable sights. And none of my rifles has fixed sights. Ever wonder why?
Because I really like to be able to have my guns shoot where I aim. Not the other way around.
Fixed sights come zeroed from the factory for one load, at one range. And not every one looks through the sights the same way.
Depending on the use of the gun, fixed sights don't bother me much, however I find adjustble sights very preferable for some guns. I prefer them on my .22s. And on magnums. Got no problem with fixed sights on belly guns.
Everybody knows "adjustable sights are too fragile, too easily knocked out of wack".....I don't see that as true today. A century ago, when adjustable sights were flimsy target sights that sat high up off the frame, ok, I buy that.
But not so much today. Yes, I know that they are not quite as rugged as fixed sights, but to be honest, I don't put my guns through that kind of abuse. Guess I don't lead the same kind of life as some guys.
Fixed sights can be adjusted, by modifiying the gun. Once changed, there's no easy way back. Actually I rarely adjust adjustable sights. But I like having the ability to do so, when and if I need to. I shoot different bullet weights, different velocities, and different ranges, and I like to be able to fine tune things if I want.
Not all handgunning is 7yd self defense shooting. How many .44 magnums come with fixed sights? I can only think of two, the Ruger Vaquero (to keep its Colt SAA appearance) and the Desert Eagle (and I have no idea why they don't come with an adjustable sight as standard, except to be cheap
).None of my Contender barrels have fixed sights, its either adjustable or a scope base (and a scope is an adjustable sight!
).Fixed sights are way better than no sights. Fixed sights are fine for a lot of shooting. But for my use, if I have the option, I'll pick adjustable sights, every time. I have about a half dozen fixed sight handguns. I have a bit more than that with adjustable sights. And none of my rifles has fixed sights. Ever wonder why?
L_Killkenny
New member
BIG +1 .44 AMP.
For a small SD gun fixed sights are fine and probably preferable. But for any other shooting adjustable sights, a minimum of drift adjustable, are a requirement IMO.
LK
For a small SD gun fixed sights are fine and probably preferable. But for any other shooting adjustable sights, a minimum of drift adjustable, are a requirement IMO.
LK
Kreyzhorse
New member
I prefer fixed sights or drift sights to fully adjustable sights. I've never had an issue with any handgun where it shot outside of the sight picture and have never even had to even adjust my drift sight models.
They're easy to adjust .....but my 2 cents worth ...
For "Tactical Weapon" - carry gun, etc ...fixed sights are preferred by most of us / and they're easy to adjust if you know what you're doing. They won't snag on anything going in or out of a holster, on a shirt, jacket,etc ... and 90% of your training is from 10 feet - 30 feet ....
For a "target gun" -- where you might want to shoot longer distances ...finding a gun with an adjustable sight is no big deal. I can't think of a mfg / that doesn't offer a model that is set up that way....like the Sig X-Five that is a dedicated Target Gun ...it only comes with an adj rear sight ...
Most of us with quite a few handguns ....have dedicated carry guns / dedicated Target guns ...
For "Tactical Weapon" - carry gun, etc ...fixed sights are preferred by most of us / and they're easy to adjust if you know what you're doing. They won't snag on anything going in or out of a holster, on a shirt, jacket,etc ... and 90% of your training is from 10 feet - 30 feet ....
For a "target gun" -- where you might want to shoot longer distances ...finding a gun with an adjustable sight is no big deal. I can't think of a mfg / that doesn't offer a model that is set up that way....like the Sig X-Five that is a dedicated Target Gun ...it only comes with an adj rear sight ...
Most of us with quite a few handguns ....have dedicated carry guns / dedicated Target guns ...
"..Fully adjustable sights are more fragile, and can break at times. They're great for range shooting, but not-so-great for hard, heavy use...."
I supose "more" fragile may be the case, but in the time I've spent abusing sixguns, and one Colt National Match auto, I've not managed to seriously break any of them, at least to the point of being unusable. I had one Blackhawk lose it's elevation screw from a poor quality Hunter holster that pushed on the sight to the point it left no tension on it (a sight guard tab in the holster prevents that, or a holster designed so that the sight is clear of the holster body), and the screw came out. This is a holster issue more than a gun issue, but even then the gun can be adjusted so it isnt likely to happen even in a poor quality holster. On later Blackhawks, I've adjusted the rear down a few clicks up from bottom, and filed the front down close, ans reshaped it. I then fine tuned the rear for sight-in, this leaves tension on the elevation screw, and looks better. The gun in question was a 357 and it was almost topped out in elevation adjustment to sight in. I feel the Ruger sight design is OK, but this is its weak point, and is managable when needed. The Smith rear sight is better in my experience, as it's always under tension and I've never had one get out of adjustment, including several years of carrying while riding old Harley's, with a couple slides on the pavement etc. The adjustable sight I did actually damage was a Smith 29. I dropped it out of my belt while camping, climbing out over my truck tailgate. It fell on the rear sight on the angle iron bumper, and cracked the rear sight blade. No problem with zero, just that the blade was a little askew on one side. I can't recall how many other times I've dropped that gun on various surfaces without the sights being affected.
I'm a believer in adjustable sights. I simply havent seen the "fragile", "easily damaged" or knocked out of zero that I hear about from others. I'm sorry for you fellows misfortune with your sights (those that actually had it happen, not just repeating what you've heard), I simply havent had it happen with my guns in the 30 years I've carried fairly heavily, and what many would term abuse of my guns. The majority of the fixed sight guns I've had or shot didnt hit exactly where I wanted them to. I may not touch the adjustables for an eternity after sighting in with the load I choose to use (notice I didnt say with the load the gun shooses, or someone else chooses), but I know when I pick it up, it hits exactly where I want it to. I dont want to have to mentally calculate which gun I have in hand, where to hold to make a good shot, how to hold my hand or trigger finger on that particular gun to get it to shoot to a particular point of impact, etc. If one cares for that sort of thing, that's alright, but I don't care for it. Maybe I'm doing things wrong, but I seem to do it consistantly, and am happy with my results for the most part.
Years ago, I used to think about what it would take to make an adjustable sighted Ruger into a fixed sight gun, for many of the reasons I see in these threads. Years later, the Vaquero's came out, and I have a couple. After using them for 15 years or so, I'm now looking at them and thinking what it will take to get Smith K frame adjustable sights on them. The gunsmith is looking for his elevation seat mill cutter needed to do the first one.
I supose "more" fragile may be the case, but in the time I've spent abusing sixguns, and one Colt National Match auto, I've not managed to seriously break any of them, at least to the point of being unusable. I had one Blackhawk lose it's elevation screw from a poor quality Hunter holster that pushed on the sight to the point it left no tension on it (a sight guard tab in the holster prevents that, or a holster designed so that the sight is clear of the holster body), and the screw came out. This is a holster issue more than a gun issue, but even then the gun can be adjusted so it isnt likely to happen even in a poor quality holster. On later Blackhawks, I've adjusted the rear down a few clicks up from bottom, and filed the front down close, ans reshaped it. I then fine tuned the rear for sight-in, this leaves tension on the elevation screw, and looks better. The gun in question was a 357 and it was almost topped out in elevation adjustment to sight in. I feel the Ruger sight design is OK, but this is its weak point, and is managable when needed. The Smith rear sight is better in my experience, as it's always under tension and I've never had one get out of adjustment, including several years of carrying while riding old Harley's, with a couple slides on the pavement etc. The adjustable sight I did actually damage was a Smith 29. I dropped it out of my belt while camping, climbing out over my truck tailgate. It fell on the rear sight on the angle iron bumper, and cracked the rear sight blade. No problem with zero, just that the blade was a little askew on one side. I can't recall how many other times I've dropped that gun on various surfaces without the sights being affected.
I'm a believer in adjustable sights. I simply havent seen the "fragile", "easily damaged" or knocked out of zero that I hear about from others. I'm sorry for you fellows misfortune with your sights (those that actually had it happen, not just repeating what you've heard), I simply havent had it happen with my guns in the 30 years I've carried fairly heavily, and what many would term abuse of my guns. The majority of the fixed sight guns I've had or shot didnt hit exactly where I wanted them to. I may not touch the adjustables for an eternity after sighting in with the load I choose to use (notice I didnt say with the load the gun shooses, or someone else chooses), but I know when I pick it up, it hits exactly where I want it to. I dont want to have to mentally calculate which gun I have in hand, where to hold to make a good shot, how to hold my hand or trigger finger on that particular gun to get it to shoot to a particular point of impact, etc. If one cares for that sort of thing, that's alright, but I don't care for it. Maybe I'm doing things wrong, but I seem to do it consistantly, and am happy with my results for the most part.
Years ago, I used to think about what it would take to make an adjustable sighted Ruger into a fixed sight gun, for many of the reasons I see in these threads. Years later, the Vaquero's came out, and I have a couple. After using them for 15 years or so, I'm now looking at them and thinking what it will take to get Smith K frame adjustable sights on them. The gunsmith is looking for his elevation seat mill cutter needed to do the first one.
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