Fixed versus adjustable sights?

dmthomp32

dmthomp32

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2016
Messages
905
Reaction score
1,309
I have noticed that I tend to shoot tighter groups for some reason with fixed sights versus adjustable sights. While I first noticed this with revolvers (both Smith and Colt), it seems to translate into semi autos as well. Has anyone else ever been a better fixed sight shooter? Or am I the odd man out? I have experienced this before and my day at the range with a couple of model 64's seemed to confirm it again. First time with these two revolvers and they shot lights out. [emoji3]

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
Register to hide this ad
Certainly its possible to shoot very well with fixed sights.

That said, I prefer adjustable sights.

Adjustable sights offer a much better sight picture and quicker sight pick up than fixed sights.

The difference isn't the adjustability of the sights: it's the high visibility they offer compared to traditional fixed sights.

(I'm expressly omitting night sights, sights employing dots and fiber optic sights from this observation: I find those variants slow, imprecise and undesirable.)

Many more recent fixed sights are high visibility and work quite well.
 
Once you "adjust" an adjustable sight it's fixed:D

If you keep tweaking it then yes you need to get used to it.

Depends on the ammo and weight of bullet. Once you know how one brand or weight shoots it's the same fixed or adjustable.

Makes no difference to me once I shoot the gun and find it's POI
 
Fixed sight guns are next to worthless for target shooting. I've only ever had 1 fixed sight pistol that would shoot where I was aiming. Adjustable sights tend to also be easier to see - they are bigger, blacker, and sharper.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rpg
The main benefit of adjustable sights is the ability to re-zero for different loads and distances. I once was capable of some very good shooting in 50 foot indoor .22 Bullseye with a fixed sight Ruger standard model pistol, as good as I could have achieved with any adjustable sight pistol. I won several nice medals and trophies with it. All it took was a little file work to adjust the front sight height to get a 6 O'Clock hold on the black.
 
It don't get no better than lucking into a fixed sight gun that
shoots to the point of aim. I like adjustable sights, because the
chances of a fixed sight gun shooting to PA is very slight. A gun
that shoots hi or low can usually be modified by the front sight.
Right or Left shooting guns not so much, and I've never been into
bending blades and barrels as some claim they do. I've had several m10s/158gr 38sp that shot right out of box. My best was
m58 when they were 1st out, shot like a target gun with 210
Peters out of box.
 
I just purchased a reflex dot for a pistol. Extremely adjustable. I know you aren't including those but at 50 yards it make a huge difference.

I have several 1911's with fixed sights and one with adjustable. The big difference for me is the notch in the rear sight. A lot of fixed sights are combat sights with a wider notch for quick target acquisition. I really don't care for those on a range gun. If I need to adjust a fixed sight I have to carry a hammer and a punch to the range. As others have stated, adjustable sights can be tuned for different loads and ranges. Works for me.
 
Rpg said:
Adjustable sights offer a much better sight picture and quicker sight pick up than fixed sights.
Click to expand...
That's the first I've ever heard anyone say that. Adjustable sights are usually intended for precision shooting. Therefore, they have a smaller rear notch to aid with more precise positioning of the front blade in the rear notch. This usually makes them slower to pick up.

That said, I prefer fixed sights for all handguns.
 
YES. WHY, I HAVE NO IDEA.

I thought I needed adjustbles & they were "best" until I learned to shoot a few well. I think they look better & are more durable. SURE, you may have to tweak the load to get a good POI. Maybe it's something with the rear sight being lower & closer to the line of the bore??? :confused:
 
I guess I've been lucky as all of the fixed sight revolvers that I have in my collection shoot to point of aim. Apparently that isn't as common for most people but i have Colt Lawman, Colt Commando, Smith 64 X2 and a couple of others that never had to be adjusted by me. I can see where a lot of you prefer the target sights for precision, I guess I've never had cause to shoot better than I can with fixed sights. Thanks to all for responding, I was just curious what the rest of the crowd felt!

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
As a general rule;I like adjustable sights for recreational guns; anything in 6" or .22lr...... prefer fixed for everyday carry.........3" 65 and 681

But some don't offer off all the options I want, like the 19 and 3" 66......would love one of the fixed sighted 3" 19s or 4" round butt fixed sighted 66.... Haven't seen a 65 LS for sale locally in years.
 
I shoot my 640 great with 158gr ammo. I blackened the rear sight on it. I like the U channel on top of the frame as opposed to just the U notch of an adjustable rear sight but of course with an adjustable the U channel would obstruct when adjusted. My Kimber also has fixed night sights and shoots great.
 
Last edited:
It seems as though there is a pretty even distribution of preference. I'm in agreement​ with a couple of you who stated that target sights are slower to acquire for me. I also agree that I like the smooth lines that fixed sights offer.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
I used to be a fan of adjustable sights, but not so much so anymore. I like EVERYTHING about early handguns except the sights. Those old skinny half moon front sights and skinny rear sight notch made hitting a Buick at 20 yards a feat not often accomplished. Then Smith & Wesson woke up and started putting a thick front sight with an almost flat face along with a wide notch in the rear and I fell in love. With these new sights not only is the Buick in danger but its door handle is too at 20 yards. Smith's adjustable rear sight built after the war looks like an add on afterthought. It is too long and extends beyond where they should. The pre war sights were inletted into the frame and looks great. Also all the sharp corners just don't do it for me. I have seen a number of rear sights broken on guns that are used hard. They are just too delicate for rough and tumble characters. I often dreamed about Smiths that did not exist and these dreams always incorporated big fixed sights. A nice model 29 with these simple fixed sights and a slim tapered 7" barrel had always been a desire.
 
No hard and fast rules. rules. If fixed sights shoot to POA with the load you prefer, terrific, if not....
Skeeter Skelton wrote that all fixed sight handguns shot about an inch to the left for him, Charlie Askins said he built a device to adjust the front sights of the Border Patrol's Col New Services for windage, though he gave no details.
 
Last edited:
My Carry guns are fixed sights. My target guns are adjustable sights. While adjustable sights usually give better sight pictures they can snag, bend, move or break - hence that is why my Carry Guns are fixed sights.
 
To be a purist, it depends on what you want it for. Fixed for carry and adjustable for targets, plinking.
BUT, I think adjustables are perfectly fine for carry also. I read of sights catching or even falling off but it has never happened to me. That's not to say it never has, but I won't discard carrying an adjustable for those reasons.
I think it matters more what you have the most confidence in for whatever reason
I really like and shoot a 66 snubby well and it's adjustable so I use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Quick fix for Bodyguard sight adjustment
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Cphobes
Cphobes
D
Bodyguard 2 and sight adjustment
Replies
3
Views
1K
drcotlar
D
sjmjax
Regulating fixed sight revolvers?
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Protocall_Design
P
A
Sight Adjustment Tool?
Replies
2
Views
460
abbyonheyward
A
A
Thoughts on Sight Adjustment Tool?
Replies
2
Views
618
Green Frog
G

Latest posts

Back
Top