Red Sight or Black???

[Phoenix357]

I'm shooting the M686 .357 with the red front sight. I am pushing the mark with my eyes... not as good as they used to be. I am curious whether or not the full black front sight would be easier to see and obtain a good sight picture versus the red? Any suggestions and/or opinions, and yes I do have a new pair of glasses. lol Possibly another color combination or setup?

The rear sight has the white 3 sided framing which seems to help alot.

 

[RAMS]

Keep the red & white sights for real life situations and for practice at the range. Even better, paint over the red plastic sight with Fluorescent orange poster paint.
Use a flat black magic marker to cover the front sight for serious accuracy testing of different ammo brands, using white target paper with orange paste-on targets.

 

[AzShooter]

If you have the ramped front sight with the plastic insert there isn't much you can do other than paint it. Blaze Orange works real good. So does Florecent Green.

If you can replace the sight don't hesitate. Get yourself a fiber optic front sight. SDM makes some nice ones. You can get them through MidwayUSA.com.

For some real fun with your revolver go to ICORE.COM and find a club near you. They host Revolver Only competitions that are designed for the six shot revolver.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I used a black sharpie to color the RR on a 14 I own. 56 year old eyes. Alas can't see like we use to. But on a recently acquired 686 mountain gun the front sight is a post with red dot(vertical) which shows up very well.

 

[rondo]

I have the exact same problem with my M686 w/integral red ramp front sight. In most light conditions I cannot get a good sight picture, my eyes sure aint what they used to be.

Have been considering sending it in to SDM Fabricating. According to their website, under "Smith & Wesson Revolver Work", they list "Convert Integral Front Sight to Classic & DX Interchangeable base" as a service ($135). Thinking of having them fit a gold bead and FO sight so I could swap them out accordingly.

 

[vico512]

Interesting thread...

Having just gotten back into pistol shooting after 30 years, I've also discovered that the front sight on my 629 is really hard to pick-out in anything but fairly bright lighting. The FO sight on my muzzle loader jumps-out OK, but it's also a longer barrel.

I'm also interested in pursuing a FO sight on the S&W-- might help a little.

Must be the new sights -- surely, it can't be my vision...!

 

[Sven]

For target shooting, the black front sight for me works out well. But if you end up hunting in low ight situations, that black front sight sure disappears quick!

 

[M29]

For target shooting, the black front sight for me works out well. But if you end up hunting in low ight situations, that black front sight sure disappears quick!

;;Sven is right, the black is better, if you use the 6:00 hold so you can put the ring circle up the the black ring.
As for the red insert, you don't have to put paint on it, you can have a gunsmith replaced for other inserts, even white, green or even black.
Marsh

 

[RAMS]

"Thinking of having them fit a gold bead and FO sight so I could swap them out accordingly." rondo

A gold dot, for me, is no good in the field; it disappears against autumn leaves and grass. Try one first.

 

[6pack]

For hunting the fiber optics are the way to go.

They just don't seem/look very traditional. Definitely a case of function over form.

I do want to put a gold dot on my mountain gun.

 

[n4zov]

Interesting thread...

Having just gotten back into pistol shooting after 30 years, I've also discovered that the front sight on my 629 is really hard to pick-out in anything but fairly bright lighting. The FO sight on my muzzle loader jumps-out OK, but it's also a longer barrel.

I'm also interested in pursuing a FO sight on the S&W-- might help a little.

Must be the new sights -- surely, it can't be my vision...!

Sounds like several of us "more experienced" shooters are in the same boat when it comes to seeing sights! I never cared for colored or white outline sights, but maybe it is time to take a second look.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I always detested those RR&WO sights. Give me black on black sight's and let me work. However as I am getting older and the eyesight not as sharp as it used to be. I've been shooting the RR&WO's lately and now have a quite different opinion!