thinking about picking up a set. anyone installed? problems?

I have them on my Shield, I didn't install them myself but had my gunsmith put them on. He said they were really tight to get the front on, took a good amount of force. He also said getting the old front sight off was hard too.

I guess its common though, the other shields he moved sights on he said were all really tight.


Tim

I put some on my Shield a few weeks ago. I really like them. The front sights were a tight fit. I had to take my time and file them down a little to get them to fit. The installed rear sights were harder to remove, but the XS rear sight were easy to install. Be advised that there is a small spring and cover plate held in place by the rear sights. It was no problem to re-install, but could have been a mess if I had lost the spring.

I was on back order for a week. XS informed me they shipped 5/21/12 along with a boat load of other back orders.

I plan to have my local gunsmith install for $22.

I will not even mess with installing myself if I can get them done right the first time for $22.

My 3 dot sights are very accurate. It was tough to sacrifice accuracy for speed. I hope I am making the right decision.

Russ

P.S. For those with Big Dots what kind of groups can you shoot at 7 yards?

These are what I want on my gun. There is a guy on Mass Ayoob's podcast site that has been in like 9 gunfights and killed 5 guys (he's a cop) in Chicago. He said that in most gunfights, he never got a chance to even think about looking at the site. It all happened so fast that there was no time... point and shoot! He likes the bigdot sites, though, and has them on his gun.

Interesting to note, he doesn't practice on targets much anymore. He sticks a small paper plate up and concentrates on hitting it fast and accurately. He figures it's about the same size as a human head, so if he can hit that fast point-shooting, he's doing well.

He also laughed and said that for all of the tactical training out there, he ended-up shooting while sitting on his butt more often than not!

This is a great listen: http://proarmspodcast.com/2010/05/23...ce-department/

I have the "Big Dot" on an M&P40C, and "Small Dot" on a 1911 and one other gun (S&W CS45).

Not worth a lot (especially the big dot!) for paper punching, but little sacrifice for SD.

The front sight on the M&P was a bear to install - no issues with the rear sight, and I knew about the spring . You really can't use a pusher, and have to plan on a LOT of filing, etc., for the front. I filed the heck out of things, and finally decided that a little careful bashing (with a nylon punch) was in order. Went right in.... But it took hours.... I've done a few such swaps (that 1911, for example), and have a good pusher, but this was a bit different. That said, a good file or two (file the sight, not the slide!), and some fine metal-cutting "sandpaper", a mallet and a plastic pusher (comes with the sight), and you should be able to do it. Or pay somebody under $50....

From what I see here, the 40C and the Shield slides are essentially identical in this respect, although the front sights probably are different enough that XS has a different model for the Shield.

One thing I did find is that the small dots are acceptable for paper punching if you're not really serious about it. The front sight is only slightly larger than "stock", and the rear sight is more of a hindrance on vertical placement than anything else. It also seems that I can switch between the XS and "standard" sights (different guns) without much thinking. Just seems to work.

Just IMHO (old, and semi-retired rent-a-cop, among other things), Baccusboy's source is probably accurate. Particularly the paper plate. (Move the plate around - vary the height.) And note the "sitting down" part - one argument for ankle rigs!

IMHO, SD means putting six rounds or so into a 6" circle at 30' and under. (Practice at 30' - makes closer-up shooting seem much easier.) No extra points for 100 yard shots with a snubbie, and, here in Ohio, probably a good way to go to jail even if it's a righteous shoot!

Regards,

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Stu.

Im still on the fence but if I get a Shield the XS Sights will be the first thing I will put on it

I'm not a fan of the big dots. I have them on my kahr and just can't get used to them. I'm sticking with 3 dots for my shield.

Thanks all. Going to order mine today for my Shield -9mm.

I went with the Trijicon HD sights that are similar, but high-viz yellow/green or orange. I have he yellow and it makes picking up the front sight mighty easy. For precise shots, I seem to tend to shoot high unless I consciously bury that big yellow ball in the rear sight slot. Not way high, but a bit. That is probably just me, and I have no idea if the Big Dots would be the same, but worth hearing if you seem to be shooting high all of a sudden.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

I just picked up a Shield 40 that has the XS big dot sights installed and I spent an hour at the range and just could not get used to them. I always seem to shoot low. I have read good reviews but for some reason, I just could not hit what I was aiming at! Got some Truglo TFO's on order and will have these up for sale.