Is anyone using the XS Tritium front sight on their J frame revolvers? Here is the sight picture I hope to get on mine:



It's a different sight picture than one I'm used to but on a belly gun I think it might be the best way to go. I like the idea of just putting the dot where I want the bullet to go.

Thoughts?
Keith

I've used the Big Dot on several pistols and like it, but it does take some getting use to.

I would have a set on my 642 and maybe my model 10 if they had a pinned front sight.

I have an M&P340. It comes standard with an XS front sight. It is also the only J Frame I am aware of that has a U Notch rear sight. Not only is it a U, it is also a deeper groove than standard J Frames. It is an excellent sighting system, I have 5 J Frames and it is the J Frame I shoot most accurately by far. My accuracy with the 340 is 100% attributed to the excellent sight.

But how do you plan on getting an XS Front Sight on your J Frame? What model is it? Most models 642, 442, 638 etc have the front sight molded into the barrel and cannot be replaced.




The M&P340 also is pinned so you can switch out the front site. Basic J Frames are not.



Here is my 638, you can't replace the front site. In fact you can't do anything with it unless you have a gunsmith do some serious alterations to the barrel, and even then it is very hard to get the aftermarket front sight to line up at all with the rear groove site. This is the same for most J Frames like the 642, 442. Which J Frame are you talking about putting the XS Dot on?

If you have a pinned front sight it will be easy to replace. If it's integral to the barrel you'll have to send it off to a gunsmith to have them mill the front sight off and dovetail or mill a notch and drill a hole for the pin.

I also have the XS system on many other guns. My 386PD has the XS Front & Rear sight installed:





My Night Guard comes with and XS Big Dot standard from S&W with a Cylinder & Slide Rear U Notch Sight:



I really love the XS system, it is very fast combat sight. Instant on target. I have them on a couple of Glocks as well.

If you're after bulls eye target shooting precision, this is not for you.

But if you're after quick target acquisition, point & shoot, they work very well. You can get on target almost instantly, just put the dot where you want the bullet to go.

My 43C and my M&P340 both have the XS Big Dot, and I like them very much. Although, I do wish the Bog Dot on the 43C included Tritium. I'm sure I'll upgrade that sooner or later.

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-Roger

I really like the M&P 340, because of the sight setup. It is the only handgun/revolver that I have actually liked the XS sights installed on so far. I have tried them on Glocks and, a 1911. They didn't stay on them long.

I put a Big Dot on my 649-3.

I can even see it without my glasses.

$ well spent on a keeper gun, IMO.

I put a Big Dot XS Tritium front sight on my 60-14. That revolver sits on my nightstand next to the bed. The night sight is great. For our club's day time concealed carry matches, the big dot makes it easy; just slap the front sight on the target and pull the trigger. A hit every time. The Big Dot is the way to go for close-in, fast shooting.

I have an interchangeable Regular Dot XM Tritium front sight for my N framed 627 Pro. It is a longer distance, more precisely aiming revolver, compared to the J frame 60-14.

They are good for snap shots etc., but not very accurate beyond about 15 yards.

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Eccentric old coot

Took my gun to David Sams today to have the XS tritium front sight installed and to my surprise did it while I waited. He replaced the split pin with a solid stainless pin and flooded the front sight notch in the barrel with Loctite 620 to ensure it never shot loose.

I then tried dry firing it for a while to see how quickly it came on target and how well I could use the new sight system. I got used to it VERY quickly.

I'm taking it to the range tomorrow and will shoot it from 3 to 25 yards to see how it works. The ammo will be 158 38 Special loads, 125 +P 38 Special loads and Remington Gold Dot 125 grain 357 Mag loads which is supposed to be a mid-range load. Report to follow.
Keith

I like them also . My 329ng has the big dot but on my last range trip with it for some reason it doesn't glow any more so I guess they do go bad. I bought this gun nib so I can have S&W fix it but it looks the same as always in the light . If you have it put on & have a problem it could possibly cost to have it removed & reinstalled unless you can do it yourself. Its nice to have a good sight picture but IMO good trigger control & practice is just as important.

Couldn't agree more. I spend a lot of time getting my trigger technique down. Just no substitute.
Keith

Well, I took the gun with the XS front sight to the range today and shot it at 25 yards. A bit far for a belly gun but I wanted to really see what it could do. Tested it with 125 grain Remington Golden Sabre 357 Mag loads and it shot to point of aim without any problem. Not target grade accuracy but kept the bullet within 5-6" at that range and only about 2" left of center. I then shot my 158 38 Special practice load and it shot to basically the same point of impact. Certainly close enough for practice. I could not be happier with the results. By the way, the gun I am using the XS sight on is a Ruger SP101 357 Magnum with a 2.25" barrel. My hands are too big for a J frame so it's my best alternative. The recommended sight picture from XS (shown in the initial post worked extremely well.





When held at arm's length while shooting the dot fills the rear notch.
Keith