Jmc24
Member
Anybody have any experience with these sights? If so, was it the Big Dot or Standard Dot one?
Thanks.
Thanks.
XS Sights
- Thread starter Jmc24
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LoneStar22
Member
I have the big dot sights in my M&P FS and Shield, and for defensive purposes they are excellent. It took a bit of retraining time to adjust to the XS sights, as I have always used the traditional post and notch sights. Once you adjust you will find the sight package perfect for quick target acquisition at self-defense distances.
+1
I have Big Dot night sights on my Shield and with a little practice making a lollipop I can get my 7 yard shots at or near bulls eye every time.
I would highly recommend Big Dot for a defensive handgun.
Russ
P.S. Youtube XS Big Dot
Depends on what you will be using the gun for. If you want to impress your pals at the range consider the small dot. The Big Dots are more visible but everyone will tell you they are not maybe the best choice for long distance or precise work. If you want something in between. look at Trijicon HD or AmeriGlo. U shaped rear and larger dot on front.
Trijicon HD? Night Sights
AmeriGlo Weapon Sights | Night Sights
AmeriGlo's on a Shield
Trijicon HD? Night Sights
AmeriGlo Weapon Sights | Night Sights
AmeriGlo's on a Shield
southchatham
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Go Big dot, otherwise your missing the whole point of the xs sights. I have them on my 9c and I have little dots on my LCR (only because they don't make big dot's for it).
Back in the mid '90's I had the inventor, Ashley Emerson, put an early set of his Big Dots on my Glock M26 (before he created XS Sights). They are remarkably quick to pick up and I think they are the best for a defensive pistol to be used up close.
Shortly after I got them I took a LFI Advanced Handgun Course (aka "Shoot 'til You Puke"). Some of the handgun work was at 50 yards and the Big Dot literally covered the target frame...not so good! But up close and fast, they are great.
Bob
Shortly after I got them I took a LFI Advanced Handgun Course (aka "Shoot 'til You Puke"). Some of the handgun work was at 50 yards and the Big Dot literally covered the target frame...not so good! But up close and fast, they are great.
Bob
Bob
I would puke trying to hit a target at 50 yards with a ccw.
The Big Dot per manual is dead on at 25 yards if you use the top of the Big Dot as point of impact.
Defense distances (7-10 yards) my shots are dead on what that big golf ball covers.
I would never recommend XS Big Dot for a serious target shooter splitting hairs.
If you are into front sight aiming or just quick and dirty get it in there XS Big Dot gets the job done.
Russ
That's all correct, Russ. As I said that was an ADVANCED course and a 50 yd shot isn't anything that I can conceive of occurring in a justifiable defensive shooting scenario. The purpose was to emphasize technique (i.e. position, breathing, trigger control, etc). Just as in a real life situation, it wasn't possible to "choose" the best tool to solve the problem. But with proper training it is possible to achieve a goal.
In situations for which it was designed, the Big Dot is an excellent choice.
Bob
Lenny_D
Member
I've got a question for you Big Dot guys. I noticed that the rear sight is just a painted line and not a true glowing night sight. Do you feel that that is detrimental in a low light situation and do you guys think XS will be coming out with the glowing line rear sight, as they have them for some models, for the shield before long?
Thanks,
Len
Thanks,
Len
For me no, since my main focus is on the dot anyway. I've also found the sights seem to get on target straight when you bring the pistol up anyway (with practice).
southchatham
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I have had both. Believe it or not I like the non tritium rear sight better. In the dark if you quickly put sight on target the rear tritium is confusing with the front. It's easier to just put the one visible glow on target fast. Plus they cost less.
walkin' trails
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I tried a set on a Glock 27 and didn't care for them. I could not get used to the shallow 'V' rear sight, and can't say the big white dot helped my pick up faster than a standard blade. I could hit at 50 yards, but still prefer the blade in something such as Heinie package.
MP9cBilly
Member
XS Sight Demo - YouTube
XS Sight Demo II - YouTube
Parts 1 and 2 demonstrating the accuracy even at distance.
I have them, like it... what bugs me is XS has not upgraded the rear site to tritium for M&P like they have for other guns. They need new management over there!!!!
XS Sight Demo II - YouTube
Parts 1 and 2 demonstrating the accuracy even at distance.
I have them, like it... what bugs me is XS has not upgraded the rear site to tritium for M&P like they have for other guns. They need new management over there!!!!
Waywatcher
Member
I don't understand this mentality.
The chances that any of us will ever need a gun at all are so remote, why not just stop carrying?
I can easily think of a few high profile examples where long distance shots could be required for defense; Theatre shooting in CO, Breivik in Norway, and Mall shooting in OR.
I think it is dangerous to get lulled into a sense of security that "I don't have to practice difficult shots because I won't need to be that accurate," or "my sights don't have to allow accuracy to 50 yards, I won't need to shoot that far." It is easy to imagine possible scenarios where a longer distance shot could be required, and its even easier to dredge up cases where they would have been required had anyone been armed.
I'm not advocating against big dot sights, or for any other sight in particular; I'm saying that if a sight combination doesn't produce usable accuracy at distance for the user, the user needs different sights.
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Waywatcher,
I don't presume to know the concealed carry laws in Wisc. that pertain to the use of lethal force. I can tell you that my understanding of the only justifiable application of lethal force by a non-sworn individual in Texas is that that person is under threat of, or believes that, he/she is under imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
Although the "wide open spaces" are probably more common in TX than in WI, I would hate to base my post shooting acquittal on finding a jury that honestly believed that, faced with a threat from 50 yards, shooting with a handgun would be my first line of defense. I'm frightened to think of the risks attached to attempting a 50 yard shot with a handgun in a crowded theater or mall. Even faced with a threat from a rifle or an RPG, a more likely survival course would be retreat or cover.
Nowhere in my post did I discredit practicing at 50 yds. In fact, I specifically stated that I was practicing at 50 yds.
Bob
I don't presume to know the concealed carry laws in Wisc. that pertain to the use of lethal force. I can tell you that my understanding of the only justifiable application of lethal force by a non-sworn individual in Texas is that that person is under threat of, or believes that, he/she is under imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
Although the "wide open spaces" are probably more common in TX than in WI, I would hate to base my post shooting acquittal on finding a jury that honestly believed that, faced with a threat from 50 yards, shooting with a handgun would be my first line of defense. I'm frightened to think of the risks attached to attempting a 50 yard shot with a handgun in a crowded theater or mall. Even faced with a threat from a rifle or an RPG, a more likely survival course would be retreat or cover.
Nowhere in my post did I discredit practicing at 50 yds. In fact, I specifically stated that I was practicing at 50 yds.
Bob
For the record I have shot and successfully hit a 8 x 11 inch target 5 of 7 shots with my Big Dots on my Shield at 25 yards.
Per manual at 25 yards if you use the top of the Big Dot as the impact the drop from the bullet has already been taken into account.
I have practiced with my Big Dots and I feel comfortable that I could hit center mass free standing at 25 yards with my Big Dots on my Shield.
When I shot my Shield with the stock 3 dot notch and post sights at 25 yards (length of indoor ranges) I found the percentage of hits was about the same as with Big Dots.
I can consistently hit center mass 5 of 7 shots with my Shield. ( 8 x 11 inch target)
If there are folks grouping 7 shots less than 3 inches at 25 yards with a Shield free standing I would like to shake your hand. I believe most on this forum would be hard pressed to achieve such a task.
I am lucky to group my shots at said distance using my Ruger Hunter 22 6 inch bull barrel with a red dot sight.
Russ
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I'll add...
A drill I always practice at the range is with a hostage poster at 7 yards. I rest my 9 in both hands on the shelf (since I can't draw), take a breath then raise and shoot at the perp's head.
He is holding a woman hostage with maybe 3 inches between their heads. My target is his head and from rest to fire is less than a second. I have yet to hit the hostage's head and rarely missed his with the big dot.... Now I know that's certainly not real life situation but I have to say the big dot works for me.
Best!
A drill I always practice at the range is with a hostage poster at 7 yards. I rest my 9 in both hands on the shelf (since I can't draw), take a breath then raise and shoot at the perp's head.
He is holding a woman hostage with maybe 3 inches between their heads. My target is his head and from rest to fire is less than a second. I have yet to hit the hostage's head and rarely missed his with the big dot.... Now I know that's certainly not real life situation but I have to say the big dot works for me.
Best!
S&WProtected
Member
The problem I had with the XS sights was the rear sight did not fit tightly into the dovetail on the rear of the Shield. I installed per the instructions and after about 250-300 rds the rear sight came loose. I later installed the Truglo TFO's and have not looked back.
XS Sights are a game changer for defensive carry. At 7 yds, under duress, it would be hard to miss if that golf ball is on target. I'm not talking about double tap and a head shot drill. I'm talking draw and fire.
XS Sights are a game changer for defensive carry. At 7 yds, under duress, it would be hard to miss if that golf ball is on target. I'm not talking about double tap and a head shot drill. I'm talking draw and fire.
+1
The back sight opens up your field of view and makes front sight aiming a snap.
Russ
The best $30 I spent was paying a gunsmith to install my XS Big Dot sights on my Shield.
I have never looked back.
Russ
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+1 Had my gunsmith install mine too... no problems.
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