front sight options for sp101

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thefamcnaj

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I've cut my teeth on semi autos and finally decided to get a revolver. So I picked up the sp101 which I love, what a great gun. The only problem I have with it is I can't pick up the front sight. I took it out today for the first time and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. I know getting used to the recoil has a lot to do with. I'm thinking thats why I was shooting so high. After about 30 rounds I realized I have got to do something with that front sight. I was thinking of getting a trijicon but its black as well and I figure I wouln't do much better at the range with it. Mabey a high vis sight would work well for me. Do any of you guys have the high vis sight, if so what do you think of it? My friend advised me to paint the front sight orange but in the long run I don't think I'd be happy with it. I'd like to some day cc this gun or possibly even night stand it but thats completely out of the question until I get the sight situation rectified. I'm not a bad shot, but I do have vision trouble. Also I know its me not the gun.
Lastly, there are no smithies around here and I'm scared to drill on the gun to change the sight out, and if I do find some one to install it will it void my warrenty? Thanks in advance for all advice and or comments guys.
 
the best thing i did for my sp 101 was put a Meprolight night sight on it. easy to pick up in the daytime or night. it does take a steady hand or a drill press to get the sight right though.
 
changing the sight shouldnt do anything to the warranty. thay are pinned in and meant to be swapped out. do yourself a favor and find a smith to install it if you have any doubt about doing it yourself. its pretty easy way to booger up a brand new gun.
 
I got the Trijicon's for mine, dont like them much, not very bright and the vial is not outlined. The meprolights or the XS big dot looks like the best options. Not very hard to install, just drill the hole in the right spot.
 
If the issue is vertical POI-POA difference, are you using 158gr rounds? I've heard the SP101 sights are regulated for 158gr loads. Lighter rounds do not shoot vertically to POA in my SP101.

That XS sight looks interesting. If you get it, pictures please!
 
Gemini Customs offers the "Small Wonder" front sight, which is a post with a gold bead. It is much easier to pick up than the factory Ruger sight.

Gemini_Customs_SP-101_2-17.jpg

Gemini_Customs_SP-101_2-15.jpg
 
My SP101 had the Trijicon tritium front. As mentioned by another poster, it's not a great night sight. No outline for daylight shooting, and the tritium vial just seems small and dim.

I'll have a Small Wonder red fiber optic from Gemini shortly, that should be a nice improvement.
 
Dano I'm curious about that xs standard dot. It looks to be a spot of light on the barrel. Is that coming from the sight or is there a light shining down onto the barrel? I'm narrowed down to the xs standard dot or metpro sight. Looks like the xs would be very easy to pick up in the day time. If I want to night stand it the metpros might be the way to go
 
I am glad th OP started this thread. I just bought an SP 101 and want to replace the front sight for the same reason. I had looked at the Mepro light at Midway. Midway doesn't carry the XS sight. The fiber optic linked in post #5 looks good but I am pretty sure thats made for the ruger auto series.

Does anyone make a fiber optic for the 101?
 
"Dano I'm curious about that xs standard dot. It looks to be a spot of light on the barrel. Is that coming from the sight or is there a light shining down onto the barrel? I'm narrowed down to the xs standard dot or metpro sight. Looks like the xs would be very easy to pick up in the day time. If I want to night stand it the metpros might be the way to go"

The spot of light on the barrel is the reflection from the flash. Both the XS, and the Mepro are tritium night sights that will glow in the dark. The white outline around the tritium insert will not glow, but it helps with daylight shooting. The white outline on the XS are a bit bigger than the Mepro's.

The link above to the Hi Viz is for an auto. But, you can just use the J-Frame Hi-Viz fiber optic sight for the Ruger.

Here is an interesting read. Not my info, but this gent was kind enough to share the info with me, and just an FYI, J-Frame night sights will fit an SP101 with a bit of sanding, or a competent gunsmith can do it for you as well.

http://gbrannon.bizhat.com/xs.html

On a side note, I don't understand what the point of Gemini customs sights are? They are great if you are going to plan on getting mugged in bright daylight. I personally prefer tritium night sights on any of my carry guns as I figure chances are, if I have to drop the hammer, it will be at night, or in a low/no light situation.
 
The fiber optic linked in post #5 looks good but I am pretty sure thats made for the ruger auto series.
Click to expand...
The sight fits both per the ad:

Front sight to fit all Ruger "P" series models except P-345. Also fits SP101.

I had these on a GP100 and while they are not true night sights they will pick up any ambient light. For a true night sight I like the Mepro sights over the Trijicon as the tritium capsule is larger making it easier to pick up in low light conditions.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone. I'm going with the xs standard dot for the sp101. Now all I have to do is locate a trust worthy smith. If any one happens to read this from upstate SC let me know if dunbarr and zimmerly's out post is a good place to let do gun work. I've seen their shop but know nothing about them.
 
Considering how well I've come to like the standard XS front sights on my pair of M&P 340's, I'm now considering replacing the front sight on my SP101 with the standard size XS front sight.

Dan-O, how did the standard front sight look in the SP's rear notch? I ask because the M&P's have had their rear notches modified to a generous U-shaped notch to accommodate the XS sight, and I wondered how the Ruger's squared rear notch worked for you with the XS sight. Any elevation issues result with the new sight picture?
 
The above mentioned Gemini Customs 'Small Wonder", also can be had with green, or red fiber optic, as well as the gold bead.
Takes about about ten minutes to install yourself, using a 1/8" pin punch, and an 1/8" drill bit.
Made a BIG difference for my SP101.

Not the best pictures, but they do glow very bright, in low light.
sp1012.jpg
[/IMG]
sp1011.jpg
[/IMG]
 
The sight fits both per the ad:

Front sight to fit all Ruger "P" series models except P-345. Also fits SP101.
Click to expand...

Just One Shot I must have looked at that ad 5 times and completely missed the 101 application. :banghead: Thanks for the link. I like that better than a tritium sight.

I just bought my 101 and when I got it home i found out the original owner had clipped the springs. I will replace them with a set of Wolff springs and change the front sight.
 
Just One Shot I must have looked at that ad 5 times and completely missed the 101 application. Thanks for the link. I like that better than a tritium sight.

I just bought my 101 and when I got it home i found out the original owner had clipped the springs. I will replace them with a set of Wolff springs and change the front sight.
Click to expand...
No problem. Make sure you post some pics when you're done.
 
Just bought a Redhawk & the original owner put a hi viz sight on it like Tony The Tiger's gun.
Works great - it's VERY easy to see.

If you wanna go really cheap, just put a bit on red paint or nail polish on the sight.
 
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