Is an adjustable rear site necessary?

[Dot_mdb]

I only carry guns with fixed sights. Those guns include 2" Centennial, 2" Model 10, 2.75" Speed-Six, and Glock Model 23. Some semis autos even with fixed sights are prone to snagging on clothing. With the proper load fixed sights are as useable as adjustable sights out to 25 yards and maybe further.

 

[BillCa]

For self-defense shooting adjustable sights are rarely needed. Take a fixed sight Model 65, with most loads you'll be within a minute-of-man accuracy out to 25 yards. If your selected ammo hits POA (or even close to it) that's as good as you need.

Adjustable sights are more useful when:
- You shoot different loads for different needs.
- You need high accuracy at or beyond 25 yards.
- You are a competition shooter.
- You use the gun to hunt.
- You simply want the option to do all the above.

AFAIK, almost all of S&W's .38/.357 revolvers have their sights factory regulated with a standard 158 grain bullet.

 

[David Sinko]

My 2" Model 60 sees a lot of pocket carry and I would not want adjustable sights on it. With different loads and bullet weights it will shoot to SLIGHTLY different elevations out to the 25 yards I shoot it but the dispersion is always vertical and never horizontal. For me the fixed factory sights work just fine.

All my N Frames have adjustable sights. I carry and compete with them exclusively and once they are sighted in I have never had to re-adjust the rear sight for any reason, and that includes when I hunt with them. That said, I do prefer the sight picture of the adjustable rear sight. In many years of carrying large frame revolvers concealed in pancake type holsters I have never managed to break an adjustable Ruger or S&W rear sight. They are a lot tougher than many would believe.

Dave Sinko

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I carry snubby J frames and occasionaly a Ruger P series auto pistol or a Beretta 92FS.

You don't need adjustable sights. In fact, adjustable sights on carry guns just don't make sense.

My J frames ride in my right fron pocket. The sharp edges of an adjustable sight just would not do.

I do however have a six in .357 revolver and yes, sights on it are desirable. It can be used for deer hunting and the like. It is so big, difficulty of the sights during carry is not going to be a problem.

 

[tom turner]

As long as the shorter barreled revolver is properly set up to shoot POA from the factory, the fixed sights will do as well as any . . . and better than an adjustable sight one that you monkeyed with and forgot your didn't dial it back down!

Once you know where your fixed sight revolver shoots at various yardage distances, you can simply use good 'ol "Kentucky windage" to compensate for the bullet's rainbow path.

Heck, I even do Kentucky windage with my S&W Model 29 that's topped with a Holosight. I never adjust the red dot . . . it remains dead on at 75 yards . . . allowing me to adjust for other distances SLIGHTLY and easily hit a deer's kill zone every time within humane distances.

HOWEVER . . . I use Kentucky windage with that sight at TWO-HUNDRED YARDS . . .

At that range, a 34" high hold will drop that 'ol 300 grain flat nose bullet right into a milk jug and send if flying! NOT SO if I've monkeyed with the sight adjustments and I'm not sure anymore.

T.

 

[durco]

Well.... if you are too close for comfort and the target is a large one, then no - you don't need adjustable sights - nor any sights for that matter.
Otherwise, it really depends upon what your goals and aspirations are with regard to your marksmanship.
I like fixed sights on classics like a Colt Single Action. But, I like adjustable sights on a 1950 .44. And, I usually shoot the adjustable sight gun more accurately because it usually has a more defined sight picture. Mike

 

[hitecrednek]

If you shoot at a bad guy at a range long enough to require the precision of adjustable sights, you should be runnning the other other direction, not shooting!