Revolvers--hurray for fixed sighted models

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UncleEd

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Not a hunter or bullseye shooter or someone who wants to see if a handgun can
duplicate the accuracy of a rifle. To me a handgun and a revolver in particular
is a tool for defense at close ranges, 15 yards and under.

And adjustable sights are not needed or preferred. When Ruger offered the
Match Champion in fixed and adjustable sights, I jumped for the fixed model.

In the past I've always stated I love the S&W Model 15 but for practical
purposes, again give me a Model 10/64 or a Model 13/65 or a Colt
Official Police or Police Positive.

At best the rear sight is but a helpful guide in aligning the revolver in the
hand, not really needed for any useful aiming other than a very seldom
precise shot when you have "forever" to fix on the target. Otherwise, if
the nose of the barrel is pointed at the near target, a hit will be achieved.

Regarding autos, at one time it was the rage to get adjustable sights on
the 1911; that has faded. Today in the auto world, nearly all models are
virtually fixed sighted. They are meant for reaction, fast defense. So
too the revolver.

Kudos to Ruger for its Match Champion and its various 3-inch fixed sighted
GP100s; ditto to Colt for offering the King Cobra with fixed sights.
 
Half of my Ruger's are fixed sights revolver's.
None that had a hammer spur still have them.
Just so much easier to CC a fixed sight hammerless revolver.
All shoot to POA with 158grn loads.
I have changed out the sight on them all (tritium or tritium/FO) that's just personal preference.
I guess I never thought about it, but none of my 6 1911s have adjustable sights.
So yeah, Hurray! For fixed sight revolvers!

PXL_20230922_141020308.jpg
 
I've only occasionally adjusted the rear sight on a gun so not having a rear sight is not a deal breaker for me. I currently have 3 single action 1873 clones that have fixed sights and a couple S&Ws in 357 without an adjustable rear sight. I think they are an acquired taste.
 
If you have one with the windage and elevation just right for your preferred load, they are great. Skeeter Skelton wrote that fixed sights always shot to the left for him. Charlie Askins wrote that he was tasked with with setting up the Border Patrol's Colt New Services in 38 Special he made a tool to adjust the front sights, no specifications given however.
 
I do like adj sights and my match champion is my best shooter out of all of em. It’s adjustable. Buddy has the fixed version. I’d hope that if I ever had a rear sight issue in combat I’d “point” shoot under 15 yards
 
Most of my practice shooting is very small targets so there is nothing as frustrating to me as a fixed sight revolver that doesn't shoot to POA. But there is nothing quite as special as a fixed sight gun that shoot exactly to POA. I have an old Smith model 10 and a Rohm RG7 that are absolutely dead on and a taurus 856 that is self defense close enough. The rest are all adjustable.
 
Fixed sights are fine, if they are regulated correctly. I had a 3” SP101 whose POA was way off from its POI.
I have always felt that stretching the range with a handgun could be useful, and besides, it’s fun.
My fixed sight 3” GP100 does shoot to POA.
As for the Model 15…I’m a fan, and those nice adjustable sights don’t bother me at all, lol.
 
BLACKHAWKNJ said:
If you have one with the windage and elevation just right for your preferred load, they are great.
Click to expand...
Again, I'll emphasize that my favoring fixed sights is because I see
the handgun or at least mine as defensive, reactive tools and any
precise shooting is not really needed, especially at the close distances
nearly all confrontations occur. As a "civilian" I don't foresee ever
taking a long, precise shot. I wouldn't attempt it.

It all comes down to probabilities not possibilities. It's the reason that
few auto pistols offered today have adjustable sights. Fixed sights rule
be they for military, police or "civilian."
 
I have fixed sighted revolvers and adjustable sighted revolvers. I tailor my loads to hit accurately with my fixed sighted revolvers then adjust the sights on my adjustable sighted revolvers to work well with that ammo. For the most part that works pretty well for me.
 
jdc1244 said:
For those of us with aging eyes, adjustable sights are often necessary – not because they’re adjustable but because of superior visibility to fixed.
Click to expand...
Understandable especially if you are referring the fixed sight guns with tiny troughs in the
top strap and tiny front sights. But consider such models as the Match Champion or
so many autos; fixed sights need not be tiny. The exception of course might well be on
such models in the J frame class.

Fact is, in the olden days of mostly fixed sight handguns, the makers expected them to
be used as close-in point-and-shoot tools.
 
Bill_in_TR said:
For a strictly self defense weapon I am perfectly happy with fixed sights. Inside of 10-15 yards I only look at the front sight anyway. But the same goes for an adjustable sighted revolver. At close in ranges I would still only focus on the front sight.
Click to expand...
I agree completely. My philosophy on this has been for years that, if at typical self defense distances, you take time to use the sights you've wasted critical time. Part of our qualification course (more years ago than I like to think about) was at 7 yards. Bringing the gun above shoulder level was not allowed. i.e. no sight use.
 
UncleEd said:
Understandable especially if you are referring the fixed sight guns with tiny troughs in the
top strap and tiny front sights. But consider such models as the Match Champion or
so many autos; fixed sights need not be tiny. The exception of course might well be on
such models in the J frame class.

Fact is, in the olden days of mostly fixed sight handguns, the makers expected them to
be used as close-in point-and-shoot tools.
Click to expand...

I wish revolver makers would start putting dovetail rear sights on like the Whiley Clapp SP101’s they made a few years ago. Still have a 3” on my bucket list.

1695598178373.jpeg
 
I have a small collection of ACP revolvers. I have no desire to find a specific load for each individual revolver. Instead, I have two loads that I make by the thousands, both are cast bullets right around 235 grains, one is a SWC (Lyman 452423) and the other is a full wadcutter (SAECO 453). Both get loaded in ACP cases over a hardball dose of powder. Both are very accurate loads and while either will work, some revolvers do show a preference. The fixed sighted revolvers shoot as well as the adjustable sights and all shoot very close to where I am aiming.

Kevin
 
someguy2800 said:
I wish revolver makers would start putting dovetail rear sights on like the Whiley Clapp SP101’s they made a few years ago. Still have a 3” on my bucket list.

View attachment 1172984
Click to expand...
The Wiley Clapp series in SP101 and GP100. (3-nch) are among my thoughts and I mentioned the
Match Champion with 4-inch barrel of which about half the production is offered in
adjustable sights but the other half in Novak fixed sights. Ruger recently produced a bunch
of the MCs all in the 179-70000 range. It also produced a run of 2.5-inch GP100 with very
deep rear sight trough and high front sight with gold bead.
 
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