Sights on a 3 Inch Revolver????

F

fshfindr

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I almost bought a 3 inch NIB Ruger GP100 today. Then I noticed that there was no adjustable rear sight so I passed on it and got the same gun in 4+" bbl. Both are beautiful guns. The Hogue grips are nice too. I don't have any short bbl guns so I wanted that 3" gun. Did I make a mistake? :confused:
 
Not if adjustable sights are that important to you. Personally I don't have an issue with fixed sights on short barreled guns.
 
Go back !!!

I don't have any short bbl guns so I wanted that 3" gun. Did I make a mistake?
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If the price was right, I suspect you did especially after wanting one. I prefer not to have adjustable sights on most snub-nosed. ..... ;)

Good luck and;
Be Safe !!!
 
I don't buy revolvers with adjustable sights. My 4" K-Frame Model 10 has fixed sights. Unless you want to shoot very accurately out past 25 yards, or you reload really weird rounds, I think adjustable sights are more a liability than a asset. The fixed sights on a Ruger or S&W will most likely be accurate, and in the off chance that they aren't, you could send the gun in.

Adjustable sights can get knocked out of alignment and they can snag on clothing. If you're a target shooter and want super tight accuracy, then go with adjustables (and in my opinion a longer barrel). If you want a defensive handgun, I think fixed sight are the way to go.
 
I bought a GP100 3" with fixed sights last year.
The first time I got it to the range, I did some of the best revolver shooting I have ever done.
It shot to POA all the way out to 50yds. My club has 10" steel plates at various ranges...basically, if I could see it, I could hit it.
And I hate to disagree, but the 3" GP makes a fine CCW. I carry it easily IWB with a Galco Summer Comfort. Far more capable revolver than the 3" SP101 I used to own.
The big Hogue grips shoot great, but are inappropriate. I replaced them with compact Lett grips.
This pic shows my first shots with this revolver...25yds standing, offhand.


Here it is with the compact Lett grip...shoots just as well...
 
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I have several Smiths with adjustable sights - yea, they are nice but I still prefer fixed. I was brought up on SA revolvers. The '51 Colt certainly has more primitive sights - a post and a notched hammer but a SAA is an improvement of sorts with a grooved frame top. To me, part of it is what a person learned to shoot with. The other part is "learning your handgun". I have no problem switching from a Ruger New Vaquero SAA to my Pre 10 - both "fixed". The same as with my Colt Army Special. What does throw me off is switching to adjustable sights where the sight picture is completely different - i.e. different front sight width - different rear sight notch.

Not everyone purchases a revolver for CCW and to assume so and pick your sights under that assumption is wrong. It all depends on what the main purpose of the handgun is going to be. For distance shooting, I can do well enough with fixed sights (for the type of shooting I do) - the next person may prefer the adjustable sights for the type of shooting they do. Whichever sights a person chooses though, it still boils down to "learning your handgun" and how it shoots with the loads you are shooting.

I have a number of revolvers with barrel lengths of anywhere from 2" to 6". If you like a revolver with a 3" barrel - I wouldn't let the sights determine whether I got it or not . . . with practice, you'll learn how it shoots and how to aim it. If you don't want to drop the $$ right away on it as you have your doubts . . . find a range where you can rent one and try it out. You just might be pleasantly surprised!
 
I just opted for the gp100 Talo Wiley Clapp for carry. It has the slimmer grips and adjustable sights in a 3" barrel.
However, I don't think you made a mistake. That will be a great gun and I'm sure you will love it.
 
Unless I'm planning on drawing a handgun from my pocket (when an adjustable sight might snag, impeding the draw) or I have one with some historical or traditional significance where an adjustable sight might look "wrong" on it (i.e., an 1873 Colt sa revolver), I much prefer adjustable sights on all of my handguns. Imo, too much has been made of the supposed fragility of adjustables and not enough to their many advantages (easier to get a good sight picture from for aiming purposes and much easier to get the poa to conform to the poi-especially when trying different loads and bullet weights from the same gun).

In terms of having adjustables on a small frame gun with a relatively short barrel, I really like the factory adjustable sights on my S&W Model 60-4, J-frame revolver that has a 3" barrel. It makes for an ideal trail gun, imo.
 
my favorite GP is a 4" HS with fixed sights and a compact grip. tough as nails nothing to wiggle loose. I'd trust my life to it.
 
Mixed Bag

Most of my revolvers are fixed sight including my EDC SP101.
I own a Super Blackhawk and a Taurus 686 with adjustable sights.

I get about the same results on the target, so I feel like it is pretty much a matter of personal preference.

Adjustable sights do offer you the opportunity to dial the gun to the ammo, so you can shoot a much wider variety of bullet weights and velocities than the guy with the fixed sights, but this is not always a sure thing.

My SBH absolutely hates 200 gr bullets, and throws them wide and to the left. If I shoot 240 or 300 gr bullets it puts them right where they belong.

Most fixed sight gunners pick one load and adjust their gun to that load. The SP101 is supposed to be sighted for 158 gr bullets, so I load LSWHP at about 1100 fps from the 2.25" barrel, and get good results.
 
I am a big fan of fixed sight 3" barrel revolvers, but then again 99% of my revolver shooting is done with 158gr. bullets. If I was going to change up weights or take up competitive shooting, I might want adjustable sights. For my purposes, including ccw, I prefer the fixed version.
 
I purchased a S&W 681 357 4inch barrel w/fixed sights,I really like the fixed sights much more than I thought I would.
For conceal carry I think the fixed sights makes a lot of sense.
 
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My 3 inch barrel has adjustable sights. Probably wouldn't hide good anyway?:rolleyes:
 
I'm of the opinion that fixed sight guns for heavy-duty use make a ton of sense.

Hang around long enough and you'll see carry guns where the finish on the right side is gone, the rear sight broken, etc.
 
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