I am seriously contemplating putting some XS Big Dots on a S&W N-frame. Please help me out if you can. If any one has XS Big Dots of Standard Dots on their S&W N-frame may I see pictures. I would also like to hear you thoughts and opinions.

Thanks,

Roboto

I know somebody has to have the XS Sights on their N-frame. Help a fellow member out.

Very few people carry an N frame for SD...I don't think many people would put such a large sight on the front of an N frame typically. Most N frames are used for hunting and either the XS Big or Standard sight are way too big for any sort of accuracy out past 25yds are so...at least good enough accuracy to put the bullet in the pump house of an animal.

I carry a 3" 629 Talo almost every day. I sent it in for a combat action job and fixed extreme duty rear sight just for the purposes of EDC.

__________________
NRA Certified Instructor

OK...but "many people" still aren't packing N-frames on a daily basis.

I'd bet there are more people that carry a Ruger LCP than any N-frame on a daily basis.

I have XS Big Dot front with Express shallow Vee rear on a 629. It's not an EDC rig, it's what I carry when hunting bears and mountain lions, as backup to a rifle. These aren't precision bullseye sights, but are fast to align and easy to see in most any light conditions.

Believe it or not when out camping/hiking/hunting and a bear attempts to attack you, when you protect yourself against the bear it's self defense. I was thinking about the XS Sights for a quicker sight picture in bear country.

No bet... I am sure there are more small guns being carried than N frames, or any other large handguns. That still doesn't mean that there aren't a fair number of people carrying N frames.

Now, the OP's question is legitimate. Do you have anything to add other than that you think he's wrong?

__________________
Proud anachronism

I have the small Dot with the tritium on my 329pd. Once I got use to the sight picture and how to line up the sights I found them to be accurate. I like the dot much better than the fiber optic that was on the 329pd. If the mission doe not call for hi-cap plastic I carry the 329pd.

That is pretty much it in a nutshell. I can't speak from experience with them on an N frame, but I do have them on my Glock 27. Mine have the tritium inserts, and that glowing ball and post is very comforting in low light conditions.

If your N frame's primary purpose is close to medium range defense where rapid sight acquisition is important, the XS Big Dot sight is for you. If you have a need to take a shot at something further away and at a more leisurely pace, they will not do too well.

That sight is really a modern adaptation of the old English express rifle sight, and is intended for the same purpose....fast and up close where there is no time for a proper sight picture.

Well then...if <25yds quick acquisition shots with a .44 mag is what you are interested in then the big dots should give you COM groups on a bear. I would recommend their standard dot sights(which used to be called their big dot sights).

Your .44 mag will NOT reliably stop a bear at that distance. MUCH MORE gun is recommended.

I didn't say he was wrong...he wanted to know why people weren't answering....I told him why. A .44 mag set up for close distance combat shooting with big dot sights, which are NOT good for decent group shooting >25yds, is not a COMMON thing. If you are going to stop a charging bear at that range a 629 isn't enough gun IMO.

I was thinking that if ever I was in the situation of being charged by a bear or any other four legged animal fixing to make me its dinner, I know I would be scared and my mind racing. During this time the XS Sights would help me skip a few a steps. Instead of having to acquire a perfect sight alignment I could put that big dot on target quicker. Also the woods at night is so dark you can't see the factory front sight on your revolver, let alone your hand in front of your face.

May I see pictures of your 629 with the XS Sights?

XS Sights web-site has photos of large-frame S&W revolvers with their sight mounted on them.

__________________
GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

I asked XS about whether to get the big dot or the normal dot front sight. Their recommendation was the standard version. The large dot is nearly the full width of the blade, making it hard to see against a light background.

Have you considered a gold bead for the front blade? If you prefer a tritium set, front and rear, then Meprolite makes a drop-in replacement set for S&W sights with the red plastic insert in the front blade. You punch out the plastic insert and replace it with a (tiny) dovetailed part with a tritium cell.

Whichever route you go, the front sight will have a square edge which may snag on some holsters.

I've never had any dealings with bears, so I can't say how the XS sights would do for that purpose. I have put a lot of rounds through my 325NG and I carry it regularly.

For me the sights work very well. My eyes are not what they once were and the big dot really helps. I have noticed that I need two different sight pictures, depending on range. For close range, say 20 yds or less, I place the dot on the desired POI. When distances are much greater than that, I use the top of the dot as if it were a post. Sounds more complicated than it really is. Like most things in shooting, the more you do it the easier it gets.

As for the big dot vs little dot issue, I've never had an issue with a lack of contrast. The sight has some contrast built in because of its "donut" configuration and that helps. I can't say that you would never lose the the sight because of background/light conditions, but that is a possibility with any sight system. Think putting a black sight against a dark grey hog at twilight.

For what it's worth.

I have a 329 NG with the XS tritium sights and although they came from the factory I don't think they are worth the money they charge the aftermarket. I shoot mostly early AM before work or at lunch and can hardly see the white. Of course I am also shooting at a white paper plate. I have not shot at night and since this i feel is a nightstand gun maybe I missed the point. I do not crry mine regularly, its summer and I have a 342PD for that. The 329NG is just so much fun and acurate to stop shooting. The XS sights are nicer for holstering than the big red blade. To the person who thinks the 44 is not a bear gun WHAT? seriously, sometimes no gun is large enough but lets be practical. I bought my 329NG for a backpacking trip to Glacier National Park and I feel with some heavy rounds and an acurate shooter this will be plenty of gun and not weigh down my pack. Most of the bears I encounter are also of the PA black bear variety also.
Have fun and keep on shooting!

Don't have an N frame but I have the Big Dot Sight on my Kahr PM9 and love it! At close range you put the top of the lollipop over the target and let er rip! You won't shoot bullseyes but you can put all of your shots close to the bull in a rapid fashion.

I have shot a custom 657 (2" bbl) that had the rear sight removed and used the XS Big Dot up front. No problems, it was intended as a EDC rig and was made as snag-free as possible considering it was an N-frame.

Very easy to make my hits count as it was intended as an "up close and personal" gun.

t

__________________
Blessed, not lucky

I carry a 3" S&W Model 24-6 N frame 44 Spl. The red ramp insert front sight is **** when shooting from shadow into sunlight. I'm ordering the Big dot set from XS Sight Systems, Inc. - Product Detail - S&W 586,686,625,629,329 Revolvers - Big Dot Tritium Express Set - $90.00 I have them on my 1911. They work, fast.