Sights for learning to shoot

[Nicodemus38]

is something hardly talked about.

When someone is learning to shoot a revolver, what is really best in regards to sights the weapon should have? adjustable or fixed?

With adjustable sights it can be assumed you can find an accurate pistol shot to sight it in for you so you can have an idea of if your lining the sights up correctly.
and as well have a way to learn how to hold for that load.

while with a fixed sight, its hard to figure out if the load is shooting wild or if your eyes are screwing you over with the sight line up.

 

[bigfatdave]

Fixed, dots optional.

Offering up adjustable sights will lead to "well my shooting sucks because the sights are off" (no mention of how the sights are "off" to produce a fan-shaped collection of holes towards 7-o-clock ... it surely couldn't be flinching!)

Starting out with sights that are properly set for an experienced shooter removes that silliness and endless fiddling with the sights.

 

[Nicodemus38]

so what is your recomendation, starts out going with "fixed sights' then going to "adjustable fixed for an expert shooter".

the thing is, most companies dont seem to regulate fixed revolvers for the actual cartridge intended for the gun. and well inexperience makes most people "adjust" for each following shot via kentucky windage. that can create a frantic burst of fire that does naught but screw you up.

 

[bigfatdave]

You start with fixed sights or with the understanding that you're shooting for groups.

Sight adjustment is not something you want being done by a new shooter on your gun ... and at "first-day" distances shouldn't let any ammo-related POI differences be visible anyway.

This link contains a veritable cornucopia of advice on a first-time shooter's care and feeding. Feel free to edit for your own needs, removing estrogen and/or autoloader bits as needed.

 

[okespe04]

Fixed.

Many new shooters think they need to adjust the sights when they can't put their bullets near the target when they actually just need to learn how to shoot. I have been there.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I prefer adjustable sights sights to start with because they are easier to see, they stand up more and give a clearer sight picture. But then I learned to shoot with a Ruger Blackhhawk and a Colt Diamondback. I would never let a student adjust the sights until they could shoot a smaller group than the adjustment desired. I make adjustments at 25 yards...well, maybe 15 yards now that I'm older

The best sights to start with are the plain black sights. They give the clearest and least distracting sight picture

 

[BCRider]

the thing is, most companies dont seem to regulate fixed revolvers for the actual cartridge intended for the gun. and well inexperience makes most people "adjust" for each following shot via kentucky windage. that can create a frantic burst of fire that does naught but screw you up.

Where'd you get THAT idea? When a fixed sight gun is used with the correct ammo it will shoot to POA if the gun comes from any sort of reputable maker.

My 1911 with fixed combat sights shoots nicely to POA with factory 230gn loads. My S&W Model 10 shoots accurately to POA with standard factory 158gn .38Spl. The little NAA "The Earl" shoots to POA with .22LR and predictably low with .22Mag with fixed sights. Both my CZ's in 9mm have fixed sights and both shoot to POA with 115's and 124's. And thanks to a local "Rent-A-Gun" range I've had a lot of opportunity to shoot Glocks, M&P's, Berretas and various other guns that only come with fixed sights. All of them shot well to POA when standard ammo was used. Of course THEY DO THIS ONLY WHEN I DO MY JOB RIGHT!

The only exceptions I can think of would be guns which can shoot multiple types such as .357Magnums. To allow for the option of shooting with either .38Spl or .357Mag, or whatever caliber the gun is chambered for, such guns may come with an overly long front blade which needs to be trimmed down to suit the ammo power. Once done they should only shoot that speed and bullet weight. Or some other combinations that happen to share the same internal and external ballistics.

I ran into this situation with my Pietta SAA cowboy action guns. The front blades were hellishly long as delivered. Likely tuned to .38Spl filled with black powder or the like. I had to file almost a 1/16th inch off them to tune them to shoot well with the same loads that my S&W Model 10 likes. I figured it was best to standardize on the Model 10 ammo since I knew that gun does well with all the popular loadings. That way I can share ammo between the three guns.

I think much of the issue of guns with fixed sights not having a good reputation comes from so many people that want to try to re-invent the wheel by shooting hotter than designed for loads or oddball lighter or heavier bullets than what the guns were intended to shoot. But stick with the standards and they'll shoot well and to POA