delete the red ramp

[johngalt]

The combination of the red ramped front sight + white outline rear sight make for about the worst sights I have ever used.

On my 686, I painted my rear black and replaced the front with a black ramp.

S&W needs an option for a black rear, and black ramp or patridge front.

 

[Wayne M]

The 686 standard rear sight height is 0.146 and the front standard height is 0.230. Replace them both with what you need.

 

[Mule88]

for me I have to disagree, If I have black sights (adjusatable) they all get changed to red ramp, white outline rear. For me its easier to see and shoot better with them. To each his own.

 

[Andy Taylor]

I have always liked the RR/WO setup. To each their own.

 

[johngalt]

I shoot almost 100% outside in the sun. The factory sights are awful when the sunlight reflects off them.

 

[john clay]

Preach on, Lucky! Red ramp and whtie outline all the way.

 

[Shuz]

Originally posted by johngalt:
The combination of the red ramped front sight + white outline rear sight make for about the worst sights I have ever used.

On my 686, I painted my rear black and replaced the front with a black ramp.

S&W needs an option for a black rear, and black ramp or patridge front.

I agree, I've replaced all of mine with a Patridge front sight. It is a lot easier to "define" the top of the front sight for serious target work.

 

[user]

Originally posted by johngalt:
The combination of the red ramped front sight + white outline rear sight make for about the worst sights I have ever used.

On my 686, I painted my rear black and replaced the front with a black ramp.

S&W needs an option for a black rear, and black ramp or patridge front.

You must be color-blind, like me. For people with good color vision, they're terrific. But those people are resolution-impaired and can't see the black sights as well as someone with wolf-vision (i.e., color blind). Tell you what though, I've come to love the small dot XS night sights, as well as the HiViz green and the TruGlow TFO sights. And I particularly like Hamilton Bowen's "rough country" rear sights.

 

[johngalt]

Originally posted by user:
You must be color-blind, like me. For people with good color vision, they're terrific. But those people are resolution-impaired and can't see the black sights as well as someone with wolf-vision (i.e., color blind). Tell you what though, I've come to love the small dot XS night sights, as well as the HiViz green and the TruGlow TFO sights. And I particularly like Hamilton Bowen's "rough country" rear sights.

Nope, not color blind. In sunlight, the light reflects off the red ramp, making it very difficult to see clearly. The white outline on the rear sight makes it difficult to make sure the front sight is centered correctly in the rear.

Horrible sights.

 

[harry carey]

i can't see that red anymore and none older than me at the club can either. we either paint that thing black or adjust the rear sight and hold up the black under the red. old eyes mean patridge front.

 

[n4zov]

I don't care for the red ramp front sight - white outline rear either. I just carry an aerosol can of Birchwood Csey Sight Black in my shooting box. I give everything a good coating at the range and eliminate all the distracting colors. Of course a carbide lamp gives a far superior blackening if you don't have plastic sights!

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've never really cared for the red ramp either and frequently black them with a Marks-A-lot. Comes off with a wipe of the finger. Black and sharp is best for me.

 

[Spotteddog]

To me, the option has only ever held one attraction. A convenient already milled in slot that Meprolite already produced a Tritium insert for. Had many over the years and they either went nuclear, or got blackened. Count me as a thumbs down on them outdoors in full light. Indoors in no/low light? Tritium.

 

[RightWinger]

Sorry, but I have to agree that the RR/WO is the ugliest possible sight combination. I always change mine to the patridge sight and get a black rear sight. I can shoot fine with either sights, but I just hate the looks....to me sights are suppose to be black, or tritium.....and thats it...ha ha. I reckon when I get older and my eye sight goes I might change my mind about this though...

 

[Fuego]

I had the red ramp sight on my 629 milled off and a black serrated patridge sight installed. It is great for precise bullseye target work on an indoor range, which is what I use it for. I have fortunately never had to do any combat shooting. My pistol training was in the military, and we learned to be proficient with black patridge sights, which I prefer to this day.
The combination of a red ramp on a serrated white stainless steel front sight is an abomination to a bullseye target shooter. The only other sight I will have on a handgun is a patridge rear and a gold dot front sight for daylight hunting.

 

[Spotteddog]

RW,
I am. Mine has. You won't.

 

[Kazo]

I see a really cool gun at first sight(no pun intended); and, then I see that front sight....not for me.

 

[Ballarat]

I just gotta go with the black sights. Am not colour blind etc, Friend of mine has a 686 with red ramp etc, I cannot do good work with it, return to mine with the blacksights and adjustable front sight and everything jells. Obviously
we are all different. But hey horses for courses.

 

[John Eilertson]

I've always liked the RR/WO sights. Just my opinion, of course, but I like RR on all my handguns if I can get them. If I can't, some nail polish will have to suffice. Works well for me.

 

[.357magger]

In my younger days I loved the rr/wo set up. Today, with older eyes, I am a BIG fan of swapping out to gold bead fronts (or tritium dots) with an express rear. THat's one of the reasons I am a fan of the post 80 models because it is MUCH easier to do that with those models.

Just my .02.

 

[10mmauto]

Black and black. That RR only looks good in pictures.

 

[OKFC05]

Most revolvers with interchangeable front sights wind up with plain black rear and FO front in IDPA/ USPSA, where speed dominates.
Gotta admit I like that glowing front eye catcher for up close, and they are used like ordinary post and notch for distant shots.

For bullseye shooting, I still like plain black patridge. Don't like anything drawing my eye to the rear sight; trying to conentrate on the front.

 

[Fkimble]

Mr. Spotteddog, how well does the Meprolite fit the red ramp cut out? Is it just pressed in or is there something like super glue used to help hold it in? Looked at Meprilites site but didn't see any details. Would love to get a couple front only pieces to replace all my red ramps. Tks

 

[jphendren]

Have to disagree. My Registered Magnum has a red post with white outline rear, and I love those sights.

Jared

 

[Broker50]

Black sights are good for one thing, & one thing only, a six o'clock hold on a white paper target. High visibility sights are better for EVERYTHING else. JMO.

 

[Mule88]

I have a good idea, if you dont like red ramps, buy the guns without them, and if you do like red ramps, buy the guns that have them. Problem solved. I know red ramps work best for me.

 

[shotguntom]

Well, I see we all agree to disagree. For me the RR/WO works best. Just shoot better with them, hence, most of my revolvers have them. To each his own, there isnt a definitive answer on this topic. Its a personal preference.
JMHO,
TJ

 

[rbmac52]

The fact of the matter is, I like both traditional black sights and the RR/WO combination. I have several of each.

To suggest that Smith & Wesson should "delete" the RR/WO configuration is nonsense. That is akin to saying S&W should delete all adjustable target sights because you prefer fixed combat style sights. I say to each his own, enjoy what you like, but don't suggest that the factory get rid of a feature of any kind just because you don't like it. Well, I guess I'll make an exception for the IL.

 

[gunman1960]

i couldnt see my front sight either. i asked an old friend what to do? he took some needle nose pliers, and pulled the red sight off. didnt replace it with anything. really works great.

 

[aphelion]

Nope, not color blind. In sunlight, the light reflects off the red ramp, making it very difficult to see clearly. The white outline on the rear sight makes it difficult to make sure the front sight is centered correctly in the rear.

That is the issue in a nutshell. The only time a colored front sight and a white outline has any benefit for me is in dim light, when precision is difficult anyway.