How do you like "Hi vis" sights?

[JohnnyK]

Placed an order for a M-63 3" 3-4 months ago (Can't wait!). The only feature I'm considering changing, other than possibly changing the stocks would be the Hi-vis front sight.
A friend of mine has a 617 4" with the Hi-vis sight. I found it to be a bit distracting. I'm considering either just painting it black (kinda back-woods) or just getting a red ramp or plain serrated front blade for it.
I've been out of the revolver scene for a number of years (until I heard of the '63 3" coming out!) and am somewhat unaware of the J-frame stocks that might be available now. Looking for something compact with just enough for a pinky finger, either synthetic or wood.
Your thoughts?

 

[Sportsterguy]

I actually like the Hi Viz front sight in green for plinking. I would NEVER have one on a self defense weapon due to them being on the fragile side. Something you Do Not want for a self defense weapon.

As for grips for that 63 I highly recommend Uncle Mikes. They are no longer made but available on E-Bay for cheap. They give me the most natural sight picture of all grips and are very comfortable.

JMO.

 

[Stainz]

My 5" half-lug 686+ came with one, I fitted one to my 6" 66 - and, more recently, to my 4" 617 and 5" 63:

Yeah, the sight I used was too long - should have worn my readers. It works great, of course. My 4" 625JM and 627 Pro both sport the Classic/DX style HiViz in their spring loaded front sight bases. I like the HiViz - and wanted a new 3" 63 mainly due to it! I got tired of waiting - they started advertising it early in the year - they finally were to build them this month.

I am a plinker - not a bullseye shooter. Minute of rebounding steel plate is fine for me.

Stainz

 

[DUNTOV]

Placed an order for a M-63 3" 3-4 months ago (Can't wait!). The only feature I'm considering changing, other than possibly changing the stocks would be the Hi-vis front sight.
A friend of mine has a 617 4" with the Hi-vis sight. I found it to be a bit distracting. I'm considering either just painting it black (kinda back-woods) or just getting a red ramp or plain serrated front blade for it.
I've been out of the revolver scene for a number of years (until I heard of the '63 3" coming out!) and am somewhat unaware of the J-frame stocks that might be available now. Looking for something compact with just enough for a pinky finger, either synthetic or wood.
Your thoughts?

I had them on a ruger .22, I replaced them with iron sights, they were not as accurate for me as the regular sights, & very fragile

 

[stevieboy]

I like 'em. I have them on my 625 and on a semiauto, my CZ 75B. I don't find that using them has decreased my accuracy. It is much easier for me to acquire a target with a fiberoptic front sight than with plain metal sights.

 

[one eye joe]

Hi-Viz sights offer improved front sight aquisition in outdoor hunting situations or in bright indoor light because they rely on ambient light to power them. They are of NO USE in a darkened port of an indoor range or for home defense in a dark bedroom. They result in slipshod sight alignment for Bullseye shooting as they have a round profile that must be aligned PRECISELY and CONSISTENTLY in the square notch of a rear sight if you expect to shoot/score well - VERY difficult to do. They are also fragile. They may be OK for informal ''plinking'' but I'd rather not waste ammo with near misses on cans. I put them on 3 handguns, and removed them and restored the iron sights when I realized their shortcomings.........

 

[luangtom]

Too fragile to consider using on a SD handgun. I took mine off and went with Meprolights on one and a regular red-ramp on another. I am far too hard on my handguns to worry about sights breaking.

 

[JohnnyK]

I'm assuming the M-63 will come with a white outline rear to go with the Hi-vis front...? I would probably opt for a red ramp front to go with the rear. I'll call Smith tomorrow and try and order one in preparation for the "new arrival".
Thanks for the input!

 

[flycaster]

"They are of NO USE in a darkened port of an indoor range or for home defense in a dark bedroom."

My experience exactly. Tried them for indoor league use- could never pick up that front sight. Outdoors- great; indoors- won't stake my well-being on one.

Chuck

 

[Sportsterguy]

"They are of NO USE in a darkened port of an indoor range or for home defense in a dark bedroom."

My experience exactly. Tried them for indoor league use- could never pick up that front sight. Outdoors- great; indoors- won't stake my well-being on one.

Chuck

Mine too. Great for daylight range use. Not for use on ANY self defense weapon. Unless you remove the tube and grind down the metal flat. You then have a hand cutter if anyone ever grabs your barrel while attempting to snatch your weapon!

 

[samwood]

In response to your inquiry about grips, I like Craig Spegels boot grips (they fit flush with bottom of frame) or the grips that S&W puts on the Model 60 Pro (I believe they are made by Altamont and can be ordered thru S&W); these have an open backstrap and extend slightly below the bottom of the frame.

 

[sniper47]

Hi-Viz sights offer improved front sight aquisition in outdoor hunting situations or in bright indoor light because they rely on ambient light to power them. They are of NO USE in a darkened port of an indoor range or for home defense in a dark bedroom. They result in slipshod sight alignment for Bullseye shooting as they have a round profile that must be aligned PRECISELY and CONSISTENTLY in the square notch of a rear sight if you expect to shoot/score well - VERY difficult to do. They are also fragile. They may be OK for informal ''plinking'' but I'd rather not waste ammo with near misses on cans. I put them on 3 handguns, and removed them and restored the iron sights when I realized their shortcomings.........

Great feedback on these sights. I have them for a Hi Power, but I think I will pass on mounting these. Thanks.

 

[ArmourerSchool1976]

HiViz sights - 22A

Found them OK to about 12 yards and easy to pick up. Green found to be too distracting at 25 yards and the group really opened up though it seemed the alignment was perfect. Blackened the HiViz with a grease pencil and group tightened again. Would like to try a HiViz red but the 22A I have is molded therefore not replaceable. Suggestions for putting something red in there?

 

[JohnnyK]

Changed out the front sight on my new M63 3" from the Hi-viz to a serrated ramp.
I had talked to S&W in hopes of getting a ramp front from them. The customer service guy said I would need a .135" tall front sight - and that they didn't have any. He suggested I call Brownells.
Brownells: out of stock for the next few weeks. Ended up getting a .149" serrated ramp and a white outline rear from Midway.
Got the sights today - had bought a correct dia. drill bit that fit the cross pin hole in the front sight housing. Drifted the pin out - the Hi-viz sight was definately a tight fit and had to be pulled out with pliers and the barrel in a vise.
The new front sight went in fine - nice and tight - just a few taps with a hammer and the sight covered with an old leather belt. Drilled the base of the sight through...driffted the sight pin back in place and the job was finished. Took 6-8 minutes.
In comparing the height of the Hi-viz vs. the new .149" sight, the Hi-viz definately is higher by just a bit. I'm guessing by 2-3 windage clicks, which is just fine, as the rear was elevated up by 6-7 clicks to sight in for the Hi-viz.
Nice, clear sight picture with the serrated ramp. I'm holding off installing the white outline rear for now - just to see how I like it as is.
I have to say - the gun just looks more "right" with this new front sight.

 

[remat457]

I agree with the consensus -- great for outside daylight but otherwise not as good as RR. I swapped out the only set I had (on my 386sc) for regular RRWO.

 

[Revolver King]

Fiber optic sights

Not all fiber optic sights are created equal. I find that the Hi Viz is the worst one available. I like the SDM sights and for SD on my Glocks I use the Tru-Glo tritium fiber optic sights. I have used about every type of FO sight out there and find Hi Viz to be the least visible inside. Just my opinion.

 

[CWH44300]

No good for fine work n to flimdey for me

 

[YamaLink]

I'm going with the SDM. $35 plus $5 shipping. I presume priority flat rate.

When shopping for a f/o my M&P got a Warren. Didn't even consider hi-viz.
The factory gold dot will be put on for indoors. My M&P f/o front is useless in my local indoor range; I try to avoid shooting indoors at all costs. Thankfully the 625's front sight is so convenient to change. Note to self: take 625/gold dot indoors and not 9mm.

Not all fiber optic sights are created equal. I find that the Hi Viz is the worst one available. I like the SDM sights and for SD on my Glocks I use the Tru-Glo tritium fiber optic sights. I have used about every type of FO sight out there and find Hi Viz to be the least visible inside. Just my opinion.

 

[David Sinko]

I have tried the Hi-Viz encapsulated front sight and find it suitable for self defense. So you can't see it in the dark? Then how are you going to identify your target in the dark? It's certainly no worse than any other front sight and a whole lot better than most. The only complaint I have is the round top. I can not hold elevation at longer range with the round top, but for close range shooting I can't think of anything that's faster.

Dave Sinko

 

[Hammerdown77]

I have one on my 629 and find that my experience is similar to others' regarding precision shooting. In daylight, the green dot really draws your eye to the front sight, but there is just something about it that makes it harder to get a consistent, precision sight picture. I thought it had a square face, not round like some have said, but I'll have to look at it again. I think part of it is that your eye wants to focus on the light pipe, not the top edge and corners of the sight, which will change how you orient it in the rear sight notch.

For combat shooting, where you need to quickly follow the front sight in recoil and moving from target to target, it's GREAT. Your eye picks it up in movement MUCH faster than a flat black blade.

With regards to them being fragile, I haven't had mine come apart yet, but even if it did, you would still have the steel sight body left to use like a traiditional front blade in sighting, so it's not a show stopper.

For 50 yards or less hunting, and combat shooting, they can't be beat. For precision target shooting, I've had mixed results, and would probably prefer a flat black Patridge style instead. Although I did manage to shoot this group at 25 yards one day with the Hi-Viz...