686 sights; can't see

[bassman07]

I've just bought my first revolver, a 686 SSR. I love the gun and have shot it at the range twice.Shot placement is good not great. my old eyes have trouble seeing the red ramp sight at the range.
Any suggestions?

 

[theoneff]

The 686 SSR has replaceable sights. One of the benefits of that model. Just push the plunger in on the end of the barrel and slip a fiber optic sight in. Did you buy it new, if so check under the padding in the box. Theo

 

[one eye joe]

The 686 SSR has replaceable sights. One of the benefits of that model. Just push the plunger in on the end of the barrel and slip a fiber optic sight in. Did you buy it new, if so check under the padding in the box. Theo

IF YOU REPLACE THE FRONT BLADE WITH A FIBER OPTIC, TRY TO GET A GREEN ONE. GREEN IS THE LAST COLOR OF THE SPECTRUM TO DISAPPEAR IN DIMINISHING LIGHT. IT WILL APPEAR BRIGHTER THAN THE ORANGE IN DIVERSE LIGHTING……….

 

[theoneff]

That interesting Joe. I bought a SSR from a member here and it has the green and it is good. Thanks Lon.

Bassman here is a link to the drop in (I think) I would call them to confirm. S&W also sells a gold dot drop in but over 100 dollars.
HiViz SW3000 - Front S&W Revolver Sight

I just noticed they come in 3 different heights. Check them carefully to make sure they match what you have now.

 

[one eye joe]

That interesting Joe. I bought a SSR from a member here and it has the green and it is good. Thanks Lon.

Bassman here is a link to the drop in (I think) I would call them to confirm. S&W also sells a gold dot drop in but over 100 dollars.
HiViz SW3000 - Front S&W Revolver Sight

I just noticed they come in 3 different heights. Check them carefully to make sure they match what you have now.

GREAT ADVICE REGARDING THE HEIGHTS, theoneff. I SWAPPED OUT THE FRONT SIGHTS ON MY 3 MOUNTAIN GUNS, AND REPLACED THEM WITH GREEN FIBER OPTICS. THE ABILITY TO PICK UP THE FRONT SIGHT WITH MY IMPAIRED VISION WAS GREATLY IMPROVED. THEY TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO, AS YOU MUST POSITION A ROUND DOT IN A SQUARE REAR NOTCH IN A CONSISTENT MANNER TO DEVELOP ACCURACY. THE FIBER OPTIC SIGHT WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST USED WITH A U SHAPED REAR NOTCH…...

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Any suggestions?

Have you considered a laser grip?

They're hardly more expensive than some of the conventional sights you could buy.

 

[ironhead7544]

The Red Ramp looks good until you take it out into the light. The Patridge blade is good for target. Havent tried the fiber optic but looks good.

Some spray sight black will help in the meantime. Nice to have easily available front sights to change around until you find one that you like.

Years ago we used a carbide lamp to blacken sights. Gave a nice flat black finish.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

My father had the same problem but with transition glasses. Swapped with a green hi viz front sight and he loves it and said It was a huge improvement.

 

[InTheWoods]

I love my red ramp sights for shooting in the field (plinking, targets, hunting, etc. when you are not under cover), but they really stink for shooting inside or when shooting on organized outdoor ranges where the shooting line is covered by a roof. In these instances, a fiber optic may be a better bet.

 

[pharmer]

I took my wife shooting last week. Used my 3.25X readers and got very good results. Can't see anything else except the front sight but that's a good thing (although tilting down to check targets over the top of the glasses is risky at an indoor range-wife got hit with her first "splash.") Joe

 

[windypoint]

I have changed almost all of the pistols I shoot on a regular basis to fiber optic front sights. Anything that I use for protection at night also has Crimson Trace grips.

 

[158Grain]

SSR with HiViz

Here is my 686SSR with a HiViz Green Fibre Optic front sight. Sorry for the poor quality of the pic. I took it indoors with my iPhone!

I too didn't care much for the red ramp that was stock. I mostly shoot outdoors and found the red ramp pretty well disappeared in daylight. Installation was pretty easy with only minor filing required to the new HiViz sight for it to fit in the sight slot. I have almost 1k rounds with the new sight without issue. FWIW, I purchased mine from Amazon. SW3001-G HiViz .250 Height. Current price is $32.82.

[URL=http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/Bschues/media/SSRFrontSight_zps8615b4c3_1.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/Bschues/media/SSRFrontSight2_zps243ed6c5_1.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[silentflyer]

I can relate to the old eyes deal, I have had some good results with the reflex (Burris Fastfire) type sites on the Alchin mounts.
It was either do that or give up target shooting.