I have a "Davidson's Special" Model 66 that came with these front & rear *upgrades*.
At first, I thought it an asinine idea but the more I carried it, the better I liked them. Beneficial upgrade in both low and high lighting conditions, damn tough - as it has turned out and not snaggy like I thought they'd be.
It gets carried in nature a lot. Gets shot a lot and in spite of my LOATHING the look of the front - I have to bow to the practicality.
The *V* notch rear, too, I have truly grown to appreciate.
https://www.hivizsights.com/product-category/products/handgun-sights/smith-wesson/
Todd.
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I recently picked up a 317 that came with those same sights. I had just the opposite experience with them, and quickly replaced them with a more traditional set.
For me, they were confusing and accuracy sucked with them. With the front dot in the "V", the top of the front sight wasnt aligned with the top of the notch. Add to that, the top of the front sight is rounded, and not flat.
Once I switched the front blade for a Partridge type and a square notch rear, accuracy has been much better, and they are more intuitive to shoot with.
Not saying that idea isnt a good one, just more that S&W's execution of it is pretty poor. If they were properly done, and even with the "V" notch, I could see them working. Although, for those of us more accustomed to a more traditional sight picture, a square notch would probably still be better.
I have a NAA Mini that came with a set of XS Big Dot's on them, and I dislike them as much as S&W's V notch set up. From hearing others rave about them, Im glad I didnt waste the money putting them on one of my other guns. I find them more of a distraction than a help.
I suppose a lot of this is what youre used to too. For me, three-dot night sights have always worked the best. Ive been using them since before they were lit, and they have always been fast and easy to use. But, its what Im used to. I know a lot of people dont like them.
A lot of my S&W's have the traditional notch rear, with a ramp front with the red/orange insert. Both my 686, 686P 2.5" guns came that way. I actually wish they would stop using the inserts, as they tend to be more annoying than they help. Lately, Ive been putting fluorescent orange nail polish over the insert up to the point at the top of the sight, that you see when the alignment is right. The inserts leave a slight gap at the top which gives a different alignment in different light.
The nail polish is also brighter, and easier to see in all light.
If I were to bother to switch out the sights on my remaining 686P, or any of my Smiths for that matter, Id go with a set of three-dot night sights. Keeps things simple (commonality wise), and they work well for me.
Right now though, the nail polish works well too, and its a lot cheaper.
