XS front sight on a 642?

[ARMinSC]

I just bought me a new 642 for a CCW piece, man I love the little thing I think its my new favorite, any way I was thinking an XS Big Dot front sight would be awesome on it. Could it be done?

 

[Beachcomber]

If your 642 has a pin holding the front sight in place now... the answer is yes.

I recently had S&W do some custom work and install a XS Big Dot sight onto my 640-1. They did a very nice job at a reasonable cost.

 

[user]

I had a 649 that I'd put a standard dot XS nightsight on.
I like XS sights, and it's a terrific co. to deal with.

But:

It sets up taller than standard, so changes from a traditional revolver sight picture to a "combat" sight picture (i.e., the target appears under the dot, rather than on top of the sight).

The second thing to consider is that, because there's no corresponding nightsights in the rear, you have no frame of reference as to elevation in really dark conditions (so I found it to be pretty useless).

The third thing is (as I discovered) it's pretty hard to sell the gun that's been modified that way - it lowers the resale value significantly.

 

[ARMinSC]

I've got the integral front sight, so it's a no go.

 

[RightWinger]

The big dot is too big for any type of aiming other than up close and personal. I had a big dot on one of my 342's and hated it, meprolight makes a blade that has tritium in it that is the same width as the standard sight, much better sight in my opinion.

 

[BigRich315]

It sets up taller than standard, so changes from a traditional revolver sight picture to a "combat" sight picture (i.e., the target appears under the dot, rather than on top of the sight).

Is this true with the factory equipped XS sights also? If so I like the M&P340 I have in mind even better, I prefer a "combat" sight picture.

 

[ARMinSC]

.....I prefer a "combat" sight picture.

me too. when I shoot in an indoor range I shoot B27 style targets. outside I shoot at 2 liter soda bottles full of water, or I buy a few 12 packs of the cheapest soda in cans I can find and "pop" them. I don't do any precision shooting at dimes 50yds away stuff or handgun hunting. I see all my handguns as defense tools, even my 29.

 

[djml66]

642

If it's really your main SD gun, I'd take a serious look at some Crimson Trace grips. I have a pair, and I wouldn't be without them. If I had to do over, though, I would get the longer grip rather than the ones that look just like the factory grip--just from the standpoint of less pain when practice shooting with full-up ammo.

dave

 

[ARMinSC]

...... I'd take a serious look at some Crimson Trace grips.........
dave

is it fairly easy to adjust them for POI

 

[pinkymingeo]

I don't see resale as a factor. I installed XS standard dots on my 340PD and 360PD. They're pinned in place, and I can swap for the original sight pretty quickly. In a close self defense encounter in the dark, I could care less about sight alignment. Put the front sight on the target, center mass, and pull the trigger.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I like the XS big dot. It is not a precision sight, but then a J frame is not a precision gun. It really helps in a fast sight pickup, as far as the rear goes, I subscribe to the theory 'Front sight wins the fight".

 

[Mitch_D]

ARMinSC:
..."is it fairly easy to adjust them for POI ?"

Yes, it is. The CTs have 2 tiny allen screws for windage & elevation. After the initial adjustment, they remain set very well - usually even when the grips are removed & replaced when cleaning or installing fresh batteries (1x per year +/-).

I like mine as a low light device, but even more so as a training tool for trigger control. I have several sets, but prefer the LG-405s for the ccw j frame.

Be Safe...

 

[ARMinSC]

I may go for the CT grips. thanks