Fixed or adjustable?

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someguy2800 said:
For a carry gun my preference is for raised “Novak style” sights. Whatever type they are they need to be black and raised (preferable with white dots or a white border or something) and at least be drift adjustable for windage. I’ve no desire for any gun with milled in sights.
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Technically, a Novak "drift adjustable" sight is an adjustable sight, but I think most people, including Novak, would consider those fixed sights.

Novak fixed rear sights https://www.novaksights.com/Products.aspx?CAT=9345

When I think of adjustable sights I think of something like this http://www.lpasights.com/en/products/trt96ta07/
 
I carried a non adjustable sight S&W model 58 as a duty weapon for 13 years.. It shot to point of aim.. We were in 4 serious social encounters. There was no time to use the sights.
View attachment 789257
We were knocked over a guard rail and down an interchange embankment while investigating an accident in a blizzard. I spent two hours crawling around in the snow trying to find that old gun.
The gun shows some scrapes and dings, so do I, but we're still here.
 
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Iggy said:
I carried a non adjustable sight S&W model 58 as a duty weapon for 13 years.. It shot to point of aim.. We were in 4 serious social encounters, 2 of them fatal. There was no time to use the sights.
View attachment 789257

The gun shows some scrapes and dings, so do I, but we're still here.
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You should notch the handle.
 
Asked a guy at IDPA today why he paid for the Harrison fixed to replace his adjustable. He said it was to get a U notch to go with his bead front.
 
I just did a quick (mental) inventory: all of my handguns have fixed sights. My autos shoot to the point of aim with the factory loads I have chosen; my revolvers that I handload for, I crafted the load to shoot to point of aim. If I were hunting or competing with a handgun, that gun would sport adjustable sights.
 
I tend to have more adjustable than none, BHP, 1911, CZ, XDm, Rugers, Buckmarks, SW's and so on.
I don't know why but definatelly shoot better with adjustable even in IDPA/ ISPC or Steel Challenge.
As I've read in other thread I'm OCD.

czhen
 
If the gun shoots to POA, I'm perfectly happy with fixed sights.
Without already knowing that, I like adjustable just for the assurance. At least drift-adjustable with some way to fix height.
For anything I'll carry concealed, I just want them low-drag and angled. The sights on my SR9c fit that bill pretty well, as did those on my PCR.
 
Depends on what the gun is for. For carry, I'll take fixed, as they're generally more rugged, and lower profile. The caveat there is that I very much want my gun to hit where the sights point, and fixed sights can be a nuisance to adjust. It might take files, vises, pliers, hammers, punches, or even a sight pusher tool, but I'll either get it shooting straight, or I won't keep it around long. Those sorts of guns, I generally settle on one load, and "adjust," accordingly.

For competition, I'll take adjustable. Big, easy to see, can dial in precisely, change range, or load, or adjust for light, or wind, or whatever else needs fine tuned.

For hunting, I wouldn't turn down a fixed sight gun, provided I got it shooting precisely where I wanted it to. One tends not to get many sighters, or much opportunity to correct, in the field. But most guns that one would hunt with tend to have adjustables, so that's a moot point. The real struggle there is keeping them protected in the brush and brambles. Full flap holsters, or at the least high cut ones are your friend, in this case.
 
One "trick I do with my non adjustable sight guns is paint the entire front sight white and then tip it in red. It gives you some options with respect to vertical hits. If you have a gun that is way off horizontally, a gunsmith may be able to help as your barrel may be canted slightly.

20180424_092058.jpg
 
I'm fine with fixed sights on carry guns, especially pocket guns like my LCP or a j-frame.

But I wouldn't purchase a full sized gun without adjustable sights. Also, I consider anything that's drift-adjustable to still be an adjustable sight.
 
true story.
2 weeks ago I was at the range with a friend and we were shooting pistols. He couldn't figure out why is LCP didn't hit well. I shot his gun and hit fine with it.

After he shot about 100 rounds his LCP was hitting the target repeatedly. Sometimes it's the Indian not the arrow. The sights, such as they are, were the least of his issues.
 
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When thinking about or looking at a potential new purchase, I immediately look at the sights. I have been shooting for more years than I want to admit, and have found that over the years, I shoot much better with adjustable sights. I have used the same reloading components for most of this time and while being pretty accurate with fixed sights, I HATE having to use a different POA for where I want the impact point to be. Especially at the longer ranges.
Many years ago I purchased several small backups that have fixed sights, I have found that with time, I am carrying these less and less.
Also as I have aged, I find that my eyesight isn't what it used to be either. Outlined adjustable rear sights really help as the inevitable eye changes occur.
 
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