Handgun sight preference

[XLMiguel]

I have a variety of sighting systems on the handguns I own. For fast acquisition and reasonable [combat] accuracy, I do well with the express-stye and fiber optic. For straight accuracy, I do best with dot-the-i followed by fiber optic (with MMC target rear), then three dot. Basic black is OK outdoors, but I don't like them indoors against a dark target.

What's your preference and why?

 

[laynlow]

I use three dot Dawson fiber optics on my competition/training gun and three dot Meps on my carry gun.

The dawson's are adjustable and a great choice for my 34. As one person put it, "these sights look like the Las Vegas strip!" They are very fast sights. For my carry gun I just like Meps for all the obvious reasons.

AND, I was the first to vote!

 

[C.R.Sam]

Iron, black.
Adjustable for target work.
Itty bitty non snaging for carry. (Like 1911)

Sam

 

[10-Ring]

I've gotten use to 3-dot sights...I like the contrast when the background or target colors change.

 

[Keith]

A couple of years ago on TFL, I posted a long note about my experiences with fiber optic sights on a Kimber Compact.
The thread got some legs, but not one person could be found that was using fiber optics - other than myself, of course.
A lot of people couldn't even understand why anyone would want such a system and the more I tried to explain the advantages, the more opposed to the idea they became.

It looks like they are finally starting to catch on. I said then, and I still say today that on a DEFENSE pistol, these fiber optic sights are the best thing to come along in a long time.

Keith

 

[Brian Williams]

I follow Sam on this.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Hmmm, I like Tri Jicons on my autoloaders. Somehow, my stock S&W revolver sights don't bother me. For stock auto sights, the Hi Power MKIII's and Glocks work well for me, although I do prefer those night sights.

 

[Zach S]

I like three dot. Against a dark target my black iron sights dont do much good for me, unless I spin my target around to look at the blank (white) back of it, I shoot better with my LDA than with my Kimber, and the Kimber is the more accurate of the two.

I'd like to try ashleys though.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Three dot, tritium.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Iron, black, non adjustable because they seem to adjust when you don't want them to.

 

[KahrKarrier]

Three dot Trijicons on both my Kahrs and my Glock 33. They stay bright and clear 24/7.

 

[farscott]

My choice is the black-on-black with a post front sight. My eyes need all the help they can get to sharply resolve the front sight, and the white dots seem to make focusing more difficult.

 

[DMK]

I like the bar dot, not dot the "i", but a dot over a bar "-".

I also like the dot over the dot on the Kel-tec P-32.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Yikes, I love my P32 but I would never call those sights!

I like the three dot type.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[Standing Wolf]

I like a tall, narrow Patridge sight up front and a deeply notched, fully adjustable rear sight on my target guns—or else red dot scopes for the sake of my aging eye.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Another for 3 dot tritium

 

[sm]

Another in agreement with Sam.

 

[denfoote]

Novak Low Mount sights on my 1911.

 

[caz223]

Basically, I agree with sam.
I prefer non-snag 'dot the eye' sights for carry, 3 dot nights for HD, basic black for 25-50 yard target work, and kieth type sights for long range shooting.
Didn't vote.

 

[STEVE M]

A good set of black on black fixed sights for duty / carry, Bo-Mar's for gun

that you will be changing loads in.

 

[XLMiguel]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I find I can shoot decently with any system when I'm on the range, taking my time, I can pretty much figure it out. However, when I'm practicing quick target acquisition (defensive) shooting, I'm quickest with the Express set-up or fiber optic followed by dot-the-"i". I guess it boils down to the notion that I can do vertical alignment quicker than horizontal (i.e. three dot). The other factor is my over-50 bifocal eyes are well served by the big dot/glowing dot. Regardless of the sights, though, I believe that its practice, practice, practice.

 

[Black Snowman]

I didn't vote because I haven't tried all those and I've seen a couple others that I like that weren't on the list.

I really like the new Steyr /^\ style sights although I've only tried them briefly. Of the guns I have and use regularly the DoubleRings from JP Customs are my current favorites. With my Glock 24P equiped with them I get fast aquistion in speed shooting and get 3-4" 10 shot groups at 25 yards unsupported.

I'm a fan of dot sights but that's obviously not in the realm of what we're comparing

 

[Zundfolge]

I really like the new Steyr /^\ style sights

Ditto here ... I really wish Steyr would start making them for other guns (or license the design to Novak or another sight maker).

If only I could get /^\ night sights for my M40.

 

[Island Beretta]

3 dots all the way. My eyes pickup the dots alignment quicker and guides my hands to middle that front dot in the rear sight notch almost automatically.

I find the dot on i to give an accurate sight picture too though not as fast for me as 3 dots.

 

[Zak Smith]

I used to like 3dot, and 3dot tritium sights.

Then I started shooting IPSC. Now I find that a basic black sight picture like you get with Heinies or Bomars is better at speed than 3dot. For self-defense pistols, I now get a tritum dot without the white outline on the front sight.

-z