Advantages of 681 over 686?

[Wicknim]

Hi,
The S&W 681 has fixed sights, while the 686 adjustable. Apart from the rarity and collecting value, do the sights of the 681 have any practical advantage over the adjustable of the 686? Maybe not as accurate for target shooting, but faster target acquisition in defensive shooting?

 

[38 Specialist]

I'd like to hear people's opinions on this. My not-very-informed opinion is that there's little real-world advantage of having fixed sights in a service revolver. I know that I'm equally accurate with fixed or adjustable sights. And fixed sights won't get damaged or come out of adjustment.

For target shooting disciplines, adjustable sights allow you to set up optimum sight pictures for your distance and target.

I love the look of fixed sights guns. A 681 looks amazing.

I look forward to hearing from more learned forumites on this topic.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

I personally find adjustable sights to be "blockier" and easier to aim through, but fixed carries better si it's a wash

 

[Hawg Rider]

Buongiorno, Wicknim! There have been many debates about fixed sights vs. target sights with lots of opinions about the pros and cons of each. Fixed sight revolvers were often chosen for use by military and police organizations...perhaps to eliminate the need for any rear sight adjustments, perhaps because the revolvers were intended for only close range encounters, perhaps so the sights wouldn't snag on equipment, maybe because they were easier to train personnel? I don't really know. What I do know is that I generally prefer target sights on all my revolvers. I find the target sights easier to use, quicker to pick up, and much more accurate at most distances including "up close and personal". It's probably more a matter of what each individual is comfortable with and how they train. Back in the early days of handguns, fixed sights were the norm (Colt, S&W, etc.), and target sights were special order for special purposes (target shooting, hunting). That started to change in the 1930s with the larger frame revolvers (Registered Magnums, Outdoorsman, Masterpieces, Magnums), but military and police largely continued with fixed sight revolvers into the 1950s and 60s. Today, except for CCW revolvers, target sights dominate the market.

 

[malph]

I personally find adjustable sights to be "blockier" and easier to aim through, but fixed carries better si it's a wash

Yep. Carries better and not likely to get knocked out of alignment or broke when subjected to hard use.

Of course fixed sights have disadvantages as well.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I own a 686 and know a retired police officer who carries the 681 because he prefers the fixed sights. I see the difference as marginal, and as in most things comes down to preference and individual needs.

Fixed are simpler, lower profile, and don't allow you to blame the sights to mess with them

Adjustable can be zeroed to your point of aim at your preferred distance, but are bigger and it is sometimes tempting to mess with them on a bad shooting day at the range

In most situations you probably wouldn't see much of a difference so go with what you like.

 

[Nightowl]

Back in the 60s, when I arrived in LE, budgets were tight and I'm sure the chief would not have spent the extra money for target sights! The only revolver I own with fixed sights is an old model 60 from a previous department and it hides in the back of the safe, never to be shot!

 

[stansdds]

The advantages of the fixed rear sight is that it is snag-free, slightly lower profile, and cannot break if the revolver is dropped on a hard surface. The adjustable rear sight is larger, a little faster to pick up, and fully adjustable so the point of aim can be corrected for different bullet weights/velocities.

 

[S&W Fan]

I have an early no dash 686 and had an early 681. When I went through a divorce over 20 years ago I had to sell off a lot of things. Since I inherited the 686 when my dad passed in '92-he bought it new in 1981-the 681 was relunctantly one I let go. As far as on the range I found them equals for me. My dad carried his 686 almost daily from the day he bought it until a few months before his passing, he never said anything about the adjustables being a hinderance, neither have I with it or any of the other adjustable sighted revolvers I have.

As much as I love the K frame the L is fantastic especially with magnum loads. With 38s it's just plain easy and fun.

 

[Rock185]

When I started in police work a very long time ago, I was issued a fixed sight S&W revolver. I soon learned that I shot better with an adjustable sighted gun, for the reasons stansdds mentions. So any K, L or N-frame S&Ws, or Colt DA revolvers I've owned, have been equipped with adjustable sights. FWIW, I have rolled around on asphalt, sidewalks, dirt, grass, various residential flooring, a barroom floor or two, etc. with combative suspects. None of my guns or sights were damaged enough to make them ineffective if needed. Adjustable sights are just my personal preference...YMMV

 

[413Maxwedge]

It was my understanding that fixed sight revolvers were the standard issue for most Military and Police Depts due to simplicity and carry-ability (and cost). Why have something more complicated with a risk of poor-adjustment when there's a simpler and cheaper version for the masses.

I appreciate the smooth and snag free pocket-ability of my fixed sight J frames and stubby M10 & 64, but the sight picture / target acquisition is much better on my 686's and 386.

But for me the little razor blade they call a rear sight on my L frames seemed like a scratched arm or car seat waiting to happen when wearing in a hip holster all day, in and out of car, etc.. I have issues with my pocket knife's pocket clip scratching my car in the garage so I'm very conscious of what I wear on my sides. And if I walk the property at night I want to just put it in a pocket rather than have to take my belt off and go get the holster, so I split the difference and installed fixed rear sights by Cylinder & Slide or D&L Sights on all my L frames. No sharp edges and easy to slide in-out of a jeans or jacket pocket.
My eyes aren't good enough for long-range target practice so a smooth, pocketable gun for up-close defense is my goal.

PS- a 2.5" 681/581 would be my dream gun. Might have to make one.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

My safe need 581 or 681.

 

[MP-5]

As Glock noted in their promotional "stunt" as some would call it.

When you drop a fixed sighted service weapon out of a helicopter, the sights stay fixed.

I love the 681 which is a "bomb-proof" tough-as-nails 357 magnum.
I have a couple of 681s.
An Australian Federal Police ( AFP) model and a Performance Center model.
Similar to this one:

Once you get those fixed sights where you want them, they are not going anywhere.

 

[Doug M.]

Some folks shoot well and fast enuf with the fixed sights. I am not one of them. I will accept the modest problems with the adjustable sights because I can see them better and shoot both faster and more precisely.

 

[413Maxwedge]

View attachment 791126
Once you get those fixed sights where you want them, they are not going anywhere.