Model 60 Pro -- Correct Sight Picture

[BlueMike]

Hi Folks,

I bought a Model 60 Pro last year that I like a lot. It is a great all-around firearm and a pleasure to shoot. The problem I am having is with determining the correct sight picture for this particular handgun.

FYI...The gun has a 3" barrel and it's front sight is a pinned ramp with a (very small) Trijicon night sight insert. The rear sight is the standard S&W adjustable.

I was always taught to use a "target" sight picture where the top of the front sight is level with the top of the rear sight and centered within rear opening. I have shot this way for many years and with many handguns. My problem...even with the rear sight adjusted fully up and using a "target" sight picture this gun will consistently shoot 4" low. This occurs with different types of ammunition and in both 38 Special and 357 Magnum. When I raise the front sight picture to use the small night sight insert centered within the rear sight, then the gun shoots perfect elevation. This sight picture has the front sight a good distance (~1/8") above the rear sight.

So my question...is this a problem with the alignment of the sights/gun or is this gun setup to use a sight picture that is aligned with the provided front night-sight insert?

I don't actually find the provided Trijicon night-sight that useful and may end up swapping it out. My old eyes have a hard time finding that small glow point, but they can still see a normal "target" sight picture very easily.

Thanks for any insight you can provide and I would like to hear what other J-frame users prefer as a front sight.

Blessings...Mike

 

[OKFC05]

Same sight picture as you have been using--nothing changes for night sights..

Don't know why elevation is off for you.
Light bullets shoot low, heavy high.
Don't know if you're breaking down with the light gun.
Don't know if you have the correct rear blade (there is more than one available).

I prefer a FO front sight for daylight, but still use conventional notch and post sight picture for longer shots. Point shoot for close shots.

 

[BlueMike]

Thanks OKFC05,

OK...so nothing changes for night sights. That is what I figured, but why have a small little night sight insert that you can't even see when using a normal sight picture? Is it just a gimmick?

I tried to take all the variables out of the equation before coming to my conclusion about shooting low. I have used the bench and tried different ammo (mostly 158 grain SWC) but it still seems to shot low. I'll check into whether I have a correct rear blade.

Thanks again...Mike

 

[Stainz]

Love my 60 Pro - hate that Night Sight up front. I need some irridescent orange paint for it... or a HiViz - like my 3" 63 came with - in orange! My sighting problems involve trying to see that Trijicon cell's silver ring to sight with - but it's inset into that ramp, making it's use more difficult in daylight. In a dark room, the 'glow' from that tritium cell seems to make the room darker... not a fan of night sights! Super revolver, however.

Stainz

 

[Angry Bill]

even with the rear sight adjusted fully up and using a "target" sight picture this gun will consistently shoot 4" low. This occurs with different types of ammunition and in both 38 Special and 357 Magnum.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but my model 60 pro shoots low too. I think it was shooting 8" low at 10 yards. I raised the rear site all the way up and it still is shooting about 4" low with different ammo and even from a bench rest.

Any resolution on this issue?

 

[Porterb123]

Check with S&W to see if they have a taller rear site blade. They installed a lower one on my 617.

 

[Alk8944]

The Hi-Viz sight is higher than the factory sight. you need a higher rear sight slide to compensate. This is why S&W has several geights of rear sight slides available!

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Some night sights require a "combat" sight picture. Cover the target with the front sight.

 

[Triggernosis]

Some night sights require a "combat" sight picture. Cover the target with the front sight.

Bingo! That's exactly what they were designed for....put the dot in the center-of-mass quickly and pull the trigger...usually without even worrying about centering the dot in the rear sight.

 

[ainulindale]

Yes it happened to mine as well, going to send it back to S&W for blade changes

 

[sawlog]

I have had the 60 pro for a few years now. it one of my carry guns.
you cant hold the top of the front sight even with the top of the back with these sights.
you have to hold the little night sight insert at the top of the back sights to hit where you want. I took a bit for me to get used to also.
once you get that down, its a very accurate gun

 

[ainulindale]

Wow, Thanks for the advice, sawlog!
guess I'll paint the black front sight to make the insert stand out

 

[bigfatty]

I would just get a set of XS Big Dot Express sights, or standard dot if they're too large for your taste. Same principle, but you can actually see the freaking sight.

 

[gnystrom]

Not rocket science. Experiment with the sight picture until you get the results you want. Then shoot that way.