Red Dot sights

[ncbengal]

For ol' farts like me, the red dot has been a wonderful invention for things like my Browning target .22. With conventional iron sights your vari-focals have a hard time accommodating rear notch, front post and bullseye 25-50 yds away. My opthomol---- (eye doctor) said to get a weak pair of drugstore readers that will bring the front post sharp; then let the target go fuzzy. It works! However, the Ultra Dot on my Browning puts you back in the competition.

Anybody have a recommendation for a good setup on my 6" K frame .357 (M19) or heavier 686 without really messing things up with drilling, tapping and adding too much weight? Thanks

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I use some of the cheap ones and that is what I got - Can't remember the name - starts with a "U" then dot for $125 bucks the the best for the buck you can get. Happy shooting, John

 

[scooter123]

Here is my solution. While they are not inexpensive at about 375 bucks shipped with the mounting plate, they are IMO the perfect answer.

Here is a link to my report on the J Point reflex after purchasing and installing 2 more, one on my 617 and one on my 620. BTW, after getting them sighted in all 3 guns shoot within one inch of the dot from 20 feet all the way out to about 135 feet. That was not the case when using a rail mounted sight, the large offset from the bore axis caused convergence issues that made the system rather sensitive to distance.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/155300-purchased-2-more-j-point-reflex-sights-range-report.html

 

[valkyriekl]

no drill & tap, eh?

Not too many options, I suppose.

K-frame:
Aimtech K-frame side-plate mount
Weaver K/L-frame mount

L-frame:
Aimtech L-frame side-plate mount

(and while we're at it) N-frame:
Aimtech N-frame side-plate mount
(Weaver used to make a claw-type mount for the N-frame, but I haven't seen it on MidwayUSA for a while now...)

 

[ab4ka]

Depending on how old your 686 is, it may be factory d&t. Look under the topstrap and see if there are any holes there.

 

[Black_Talon]

My old-fart eyes really appreciate the standard UltraDot and they've been working great for me.

A new option that I've recently been playing with is a "Primary Arms MicroDot". It's a $79 knock-off of the $500+ Aimpoint dot. It's got click adjustments for windage and elevation so it's a snap to get sighted in. I've been using it on one of my Model 14's for a few weeks now and have had great results. So far, I'd consider it a strong alternative to the good 'ol UltraDot for about half the price.

Here's what it looks like:

 

[Firearmsrookie]

Has any one used the Weaver 401S base on their 617?

 

[piece]

I prefer C-more sights on handguns. They have never failed for me.

 

[Black_Talon]

Has any one used the Weaver 401S base on their 617?

The base on my Model 14 in that picture is a Weaver 401. It fits/works perfectly. 401S would be identical except that it's silver colored.

 

[KMB]

My old-fart eyes really appreciate the standard UltraDot and they've been working great for me.

A new option that I've recently been playing with is a "Primary Arms MicroDot". It's a $79 knock-off of the $500+ Aimpoint dot. It's got click adjustments for windage and elevation so it's a snap to get sighted in. I've been using it on one of my Model 14's for a few weeks now and have had great results. So far, I'd consider it a strong alternative to the good 'ol UltraDot for about half the price.

Here's what it looks like:

+1 for PA MicroDot. I have one on my PC 686 Hunter and love it.

 

[Firearmsrookie]

Thanks KMB. I think I'll try it...

 

[7P's]

I'll throw another option, that being the Leupold DeltaPoint. It's a little expensive at $400/$450 price depending on whether you get all the bases or not.

It'll shoot just about as good as a 2X scope, as you use the tip of the delta for your aiming point. It has no problem handling the recoil from a 500 Smith.

 

[KMB]

Thanks KMB. I think I'll try it...

Sure. Happy to help. I have a small pseudo-review on the Microdot, with some pics, here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...mary-arms-micro-red-dot-my-pc-686-hunter.html

I think you'll be very happy with it, especially for the price. I am thinking about putting a JPoint sight on my other 686, but the price of sight, mount, and drilling/tapping the topstrap is prohibitively high. I'll probably wait until next spring (tax return!) to get this done.