Which 4006 to get(ADJ OR FIXED)

[AFammo]

Trading a 4516-1 for a 4006, and was wondering which one to get. Fixed sights or the adjustable sights(will be used for CC).
Which is the better one to get, I know the TSW, but no one offered one of those yet???? Thanks.

 

[TTSH]

Trading a 4516-1 for a 4006, and was wondering which one to get. Fixed sights or the adjustable sights(will be used for CC).
Which is the better one to get, I know the TSW, but no one offered one of those yet???? Thanks.

Without any hesitation or question... fixed sights!

 

[03Fatboy]

Let's say everyday is a new day around the fish bowl when it comes to the debate of fixed or adjustable sights so I'm not jumping in on that one.

For CC though, I'd keep the 4516-1, it's simply a great compact in 45. I don't see any benefit to changing to a 4006 unless you have a large stash of ammo IMHO.

 

[solomon]

Ditto, on don't trade that! If you're set then I personally prefer the look of the fixed sights over the adjustable - that wing is just ZOMG horrible to my eye. Plenty of folks prefer the adjustable though, so obviously the only truly correct answer is .... "GET BOTH!"

 

[Sevens]

I suppose every little nuance of any particular pistol is going to have those who like and those who do not. When it comes to the 2nd/3rd Gen S&W pistols and their adjustable vs fixed sights, the line is not evenly drawn. FAR more folks prefer the fixed sights (especially the pinnacle, the fixed NOVAK sights) than the adjustable sights because Smith & Wesson chose to design the sights with gargantuan protective wings that really look like iron-plate deflectors mounted to artillery.

Worse yet is that if your pistol happens to have the adjustable rear sight... you have pretty much zero options to change them or even alter the look.

There's a few folks who like that huge rear sight, but I have a hard time understanding how. I can only imagine it's one of those deals where they fell in love with the pistol years back and the rear sight has grown on them.

The other thing that always occurs to me with the protected adjustable sight is WHY?! Smith & Wesson maybe probably a MILLION duty revolvers that ran for decades in the holster of cops all across this great continent and while many of them ran the old school fixed rear sight that was little more than a dish out of the top strap... plenty were the classic K-frame with the adjustable rear sight and nobody ever hears about them getting knocked out, wrecked, damaged or out of service. How many 15's, 19's, 66's and 67's saw Police duty and hard use over the last 80 years?

The S&W 2nd & 3rd Gen adjustable rear sight looks like it could survive the apocalypse, but should it NEED to? At the cost of those looks?!

 

[Barrie]

Just me but I always prefer the adjustable sights as our eyes are all different for each gun. The height of the sight also dictates where I set them sometimes as well.

 

[epj]

Gotta agree. I prefer adjustable sights any day to fixed. If it's a carry gun, those wings help to snag-proof it.

 

[Elkins45]

The fixed sight are larger and easier to pick up, at least to me.

 

[Fastbolt]

I prefer the fixed sights, whether early 3rd gen or later Novak Low Mount.

Also, getting parts for the adjustable factory 3rd gen parts is difficult, at best, to put it mildly.

 

[AFammo]

Thanks for all your replies, All my duty / cc guns had combat fixed sights and my 686 had adjustable (unprotected) sights. so why did S&W did this, I don't know. I'm leaning towards the fixed sight. But the two models offered also have either a MIM trigger or trigger and hammer. The winged version has all metal parts. What ammo was used to zero the fixed sight and at what distance????? Did the fixed sight come first or the adjustable??? Thanks for your replies. One person won't get back to the 2nd of July.

 

[solomon]

A little research on MIM vs non-MIM and I think you'll find that for S&W 3rd gens, the level of finish and smoothness on MIM parts out of the box exceeds that of the forged parts out of the box. Some well respected members here have replaced forged fire control parts with MIM parts to improve trigger feel and weight. As with anything, it's a matter of opinion, but mine is to *PREFER* MIM parts....

 

[duncan]

As a reloader, I prefer the durable rear adjustable sights. POI will change bewteen commerical "whimpy" loads and smoking hot reloads at +P velocities.

The 40SW can load 135-180 grainers with warm or downright hot loads with POI changing up or down 2 inches at 20+ yards.

Adjustability gives you options.

 

[AFammo]

See who trades first, The wing version looks nicer, ALL STEEL! The fixed pistol has a MIM Hammer. I won't hear from the first person until the second of July. Or what type he has. I know he bought two, but kept them in his brother's safe while he is in NJ. Thanks for your in put. Now that I will have a weapon that CAN handle hot loads, I'm leaning towards the wing version??? We'll see.

 

[BUFF]

I prefer adjustable sights on full-size guns, especially on guns that are loaded to relatively high pressures and offer a large range of bullet weights. I bought my 4006 in 1990 and have never run into a loading I can't zero POA/POI at 25 yards. The taller, bigger sights are quicker for my eyes to pick up, too.

 

[TTSH]

As a reloader, I prefer the durable rear adjustable sights.

They may be preferable for some... and they sure as heck are adjustable... but durable? The ones on my "winged" 5906 are falling apart.

Here's a question for the team: Has anyone thought about clipping the "wings" on their "winged" 5906, 4006 or similar? By that I mean taking the winged plate off and machining off the two wings nice and pretty.

If I am going to drop off the 5906 for work anyway, I'd like to have that done... if it makes sense and there is no downside.

Anyone???

 

[824tsv]

This thread needs pic's.
My vote is for adjustable sights. I've never had an issue with the adjustable sights "falling apart" but maybe I'm lucky. I've only ever owned adjustable sighted S&W auto's since 1984 with a Model 659, and include a 645 and this 4006 bought in 1990 and none have ever remotely "fell apart".

 

[Jim L]

I always liked the trouble free fixed sights

 

[TTSH]

I've never had an issue with the adjustable sights "falling apart" but maybe I'm lucky. I've only ever owned adjustable sighted S&W auto's since 1984 with a Model 659, and include a 645 and this 4006 since 1990 and none have ever remotely "fell apart".

Well, to be totally clear about it, the gun was that way when I bought it. But I bought it anyway. Beggars can't be choosers in the highly-restricted People's Republic of Massachusetts.

I thought I could fix them myself but I gave up. Then I thought I could find a slide with fixed sights... but that didn't work out either.

But don't feel bad for me. I have plenty of other fixed-sight 3rd Gens so I'm not hurting at all. The 5906 sights problem will be resolved someday... that I promise!

 

[Sevens]

I asked quite some time ago about the idea of metal-working the large, protected wings on the adjustable sights but the fact that the crosspin in the front uses that hole is the first limiter. Even still, I would bet that someone skilled in small, slow cutting and polishing could make them look better.

Decades ago when I was younger, I too "worried" a bit about fixed sights. I was a handloader back then and I'm an even more avid shooter and handloader now.

I love (and demand!) target adjustable sights on my precision handguns and I have a nice handful of them. On duty style guns like most every 3rd Gen, I find that fixed sights are plenty good enough.

Most every adjustable sight handgun I own gets the sights dialed-in... and then left untouched forever.

 

[Barrie]

I always put LPD sights on from Italy as they are very well made and strong. Fully adjustable as well which I like as my eye's get older.