XS sights at 50 yds

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Guy B. Meredith

Guy B. Meredith

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With 4" S&W M66 using 158 gr .38 spl handloads that have chrono-ed at about 900 fps.

Anyone with experience who can offer advice, etc?

I haven't done much in the way of distance shooting, but decided to check out this combo--my everyday carry--to see whether I can hit the side of the proverbial barn and how much drop at that range. I was able to place most shots on a silhouette with my forearms resting on the shooting bench.

XS says to center the front dot on targets up to 15 yds and the top of the dot beyond that. At 50 yds, centering the dot seemed to place the shot best.

I didn't try offhand at this distance, but to my surprise I find I can't do well from braced positions shorter distances. Can't figure out why the heck that would be and it is very frustrating since I am hoping to improve accuracy over offhand.
 
I have XS Big Dots on my house gun, 4" Springfield XD 45.

They're great for self defense, quick target acquisition but, at 50 yds., I would chose a different sight.
 
Take old-style Colt Detective Special with 2" pencil barrel and stock sights.

Load with old fashion 158 gr/780 FPS ammunition.

Set up B-27 silhouette target at 100 yards (measured).

Align sights with the center of the target's head.

The bullets' trajectory will put it on target in the center of the K-zone.

Observers will think you are one big super-shooter. :evil:

Now don't you go tell...
 
I had XS sights on my Colt New Agent. For super quick and easy to acquire sights at relatively close range, they work great. For more precise, long distance shots, not so great.
 
On those sights with a big fat dot...

Hold the front sight up with the bottom of the dot even with the top of the rear sight blade.

Align the sights with the dot being roughly in the center of the silhouette.

Check where the bullets hit and either raise or lower you're aiming point to adjust for desired impact area. ;)
 
For me they were for shooting 15 yards or closer but I do more from 25-50 yards so off it came, sitting in the parts bin downstairs right now...
 
Guy B. Meredith said:
I find I can't do well from braced positions shorter distances. Can't figure out why the heck that would be and it is very frustrating since I am hoping to improve accuracy over offhand.
Click to expand...
It is because you are anticipating the trigger break when the sights are aligned. If you stay in the process if seeing the sights and smoothly pressing the trigger straight to the rear, your groups will tighten up.

I've tried XS sights on 3-4 different guns and I think you're giving up too much lateral reference with the wide set ears of the rear sight for the small gain you get with the front dot...especially their Big Dot
 
The snubby revolver is one of the few applications where the XS sights really shine...likely because anything would be an improvement on the groove in the top strap that serves as a rear sight
 
9mmepiphany

The snubby revolver is one of the few applications where the XS sights really shine...likely because anything would be an improvement on the groove in the top strap that serves as a rear sight
Click to expand...

That's why I got the Colt New Agent with the XS sights; anything was better than having just a groove down the middle of the slide to aim with!
 
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