Why do most S&W revolvers have adjustable rear sights?

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

This may sound like a dumb question, but, why do most S&W revolvers have adjustable rear sights? The barrel should be straight; thus, any bullets should fly straight. Now, I can understand up/down. Different bullet weights and loads fall differently.

You assume that the barrel is "straight," whatever exactly you mean by that. You also assume that that means that all bullets will fly "straight."

You have little to no evidence that either assumption is true. In fact, the existence of "windage"-adjustable sights hints that one or both may NOT be true. On top of that, different weight bullets seem to vary in horizontal POI, probably because of different recoil. This, btw, is not an assumption, but an observation.

AFAIK, the actual answer is that both of your assumptions noted above are false.

 

[Gene L]

I've had quite a few of both. I now have only one, a M 28, that has adjustable sights. And there's a story behind fixed sights: for years, when I carried a revolver, our ammo was specified. I can't remember what it was, but it was what we were required to carry so I didn't have to work up a load/sight. We were issued fixed sight revolvers shooting .38 and I personally learned to hit the target pretty regularly with fixed sights by shooting/learning the gun. Even when I shot PPC, I had an adjustable sight Model 15 PPC gun, but didn't really adjust the sights for the longer distances...I held above the aiming point. I didn't do so great at it, but didn't suck at it either. No one else I knew adjusted their sights during a match.

All my handguns are for SD purposes. I don't hunt, don't compete, and know that at SD ranges, I'm not likely to need to adjust my sight to keep the impact in the K 5 circle.

My favorite carry revolver is a 65...fixed and fine. I was awarded the gun upon my retirement. It's what I was issued and what I qualified with. Double action only.

At 10 yards, SD distance, I see no advantage to adjustable sights. No disadvantage to adjustable, either. But I like the slick 65 with the stock grips and a T-grip. Two J-frames, I wouldn't trust them much past 10 yards in DA. If that far. I'm not a combative person and would expect such a J frame to be an up close and personal gun.

 

[rct269]

I have always thought they put adjustable sights on their revolvers so they wouldn't have to regulate them at the factory. I like my model 64s and 65s and my J-frames precisely because I can count on them to give me accuracy "out-of-box", while adjustable sights - I have to adjust them.

Of course, if I have to pick fleas off a cat, adjustable sights are nice, but for hitting bad guys across a room, fixed sights work rather well -- and they don't bark your elbows in the holster.

Actually, excepting the pre-war sights and occasional dumb luck, S&W sights are no good for picking fleas off cats---nor for driving nails---nor for lighting matches. So----given the need for flea picking, nail driving, or match lighting, you need one of the oldies but goodies---preferably one of those from the early 30's onward (not counting the 22/40).

Ralph Tremaine

 

[max503]

You seriously think that fixed sights on a gun render it no more accurate than "random hits?"

Just as an example, there are a multitude of guys on this forum who think a 3" Model 65 is one of the best carry guns ever. The DEA used them until they switched to semis. The FBI used the blued version, the Model 13. You think they were relying on random hits????

I truly hope I misunderstood your point.

Cordially.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous post. I meant more like "off-center hits". My carry gun has fixed sights - but I can hit with it accurately. I wouldn't carry a gun that I couldn't hit with to my standards of accuracy and confidence. I hope that "multitude of guys" can hit what they shoot at with their 65's and 13's.
My fixed-sight 638 can do this at 50 feet if I want it to.
And I would LOVE to have a 65 or 13, or 2" model 10.

 

[Rpg]

Adjustable sights are easier to see than fixed sights so most folks shoot better with them.

I doubt that most adjustable sights ever get adjusted. Aside from diehard reloaders and competitive shooters interested in precision shooting, the differences in poi because of different ammo loads is trivial for most shooters.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Shooters found that adjustable sights were just as satisfactory for duty and field use as they were for target shooting. Like grips, fixed sights are terrific if they fit you, if they don't.....I recall Skeeter wrote that all fixed sighted guns shot to the left for him. Charlie Askins wrote that he made a tool to adjust the front sights of the Colt New Service revolvers issued to the Border Patrol in the 1930s, adjustable sights-all you need is a proper fitting screwdriver.
And yes, the M&P/Model 10 is the most widely produced S&W.

 

[riverrat38]

Adjustable sights are easier to see than fixed sights so most folks shoot better with them.

I doubt that most adjustable sights ever get adjusted. Aside from diehard reloaders and competitive shooters interested in precision shooting, the differences in poi because of different ammo loads is trivial for most shooters.

You left out a third category of shooters.
Engineers!
We tend to be obsessive about adjustments. And, discussing different types of errors. Systematic errors can be adjusted for. Random errors cannot be.

Best,
Rick

 

[elpac3]

Q: This may sound like a dumb question, but, why do most S&W revolvers have adjustable rear sights?

A: Market demand

 

[max503]

I have sighted in fixed sight guns by adding tape to the side of the front sight. Just sayin'.

 

[riverrat38]

I have sighted in fixed sight guns by adding tape to the side of the front sight. Just sayin'.

Or, the rear sight can be adjusted by grinding the inside on one side.

Best,
Rick

 

[Gene L]

Or you can just whack the barrel sharply with a lead billet. That will move the point of impact.

 

[wrangler5]

If you reload, you can also play with loads to bring the holes to the sights. I've done this for a 3" 31-1 that I had reamed to take 32H&R, using a 115g RNFP load that shoots just to the sights at 15 yards.

 

[greenmachine]

I own S&W revolvers in 13 different calibers, and I have not, do not, and will not own a S&W revolver without adjustable sights. But then I'm just a shooter.

 

[gr7070]

I own S&W revolvers in 13 different calibers, and I have not, do not, and will not own a S&W revolver without adjustable sights. But then I'm just a shooter.

Agreed. Other than a defensive gun I can't fathom why one would want fixed sights; they're horrific at everything (by comparison) except not moving accidentally.

I'm, mostly, a competitive shooter, as well.

 

[dogdoc]

Op must not shoot a lot of different loads in his revolvers or he would have answered his own question.


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[BoCash]

Many good answers here.

No two people hold, aim, sight, and squeeze the same. Adjustable sights allow one to custom-sight the piece to their needs.

Most of the fixed sight pistols and revolvers I have owned shot low for me. I have gotten rid of a lot of them because of this and highly prefer adjustable sights on any pistol/revolver that I plink or shoot paper targets with.

As for self-defense handguns, I am not sight-picky, just conscious of a particular one IF it does seem to shoot a bit low or high.......when carrying that particular piece.

Y'all take care, Bo