Sights on Carry guns:revolver vs semi

[Croyance]

Why are the sights on revolvers designed for CCW so primitive compared to their semi-auto counterparts?
On a semi designed for carry, I can find the same sights that full sized models have, right off the shelf. Nice square notch, night sights, and all easy to see.
In comparison, the revolvers just have a rear V-notch in the same color as the rest of the revolver, and a square front sight.

It seems to me that the rear area could have a ramp built in, giving a mini-Novak profile. This would be deep enough with the groove that is already there to give a nice, deep square notch without adding significantly to the revolver's profile. Add a little tritium or white dots while blackening the sight area gives a nice, clear sight picture for all lighting conditions.

 

[stans]

You could make a revovler with a Novak style rear sight, but the front sight would need to be taller to match. Personally, on a CCW gun, if you ever have to use it, you are likely to be so close to your target that you will never even see the sights.

My CCW is a S&W 640-1, stoked with 125 grain JHP magnums, Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips, the rest is factory stock.

 

[Majic]

Have you actually tried to use the fixed sights of the revolver? They may not lok like much, but are in fact quite serviceable. Besides the taller sights on the pistols can snag on clothing. Somthing the fixed sights of the revolver will never do. That's why the revolvers make perfect pocket guns. It's all a trade-off or compromise.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Defensive... Not Target

If ... you have a consistant grip.

If... you practice enough.

And you can see the front sight...

You likely gonna hit what you want to hit.

Doesn't matter what the sights look like,
Doesn't matter how silly your hold looks to others.
Doesn't matter which eye you use.

Proper practice matters.

Sam

 

[Erik Jensen]

yep.

 

[Croyance]

Then conversely, why the more elaborate sights on a semi-auto carry gun?
Marketing? Customer expectations?

 

[sm]

Sam nailed it!

Gov't 45, notice the sights it had/has?

Folks Used to learn to shoot. Did not rely on crutches. Get old eyes, paint the front sight.

There is a place for some stuff - depends on task.

Once upon a time creative marketing was not a big factor in todays buying. WE now have consumer impulse buying.

The used to teach folks to shoot without sights...how I was taught...
Has come in handy. Bead comes off SG in a Tourney...I still continued.
I had a barrier take the front sight off a revolver...I cont'd...

 

[James Bondrock]

Rightly or wrongly (a discussion for another topic), medium- and large-framed revolvers have largely fallen from favor as defensive sidearms. (Small-frame snubbies are still popular, but these are typically used at such close ranges as to render sights superfluous anyway.) Therefore there is no real incentive for the makers to change the design of the sights. To install a rear sight on a revolver in the manner of a modern auto (pressed into a dovetail slot cut in the frame) would weaken the frame's topstrap. At least, that is what I was told by the gun magazine editor to whom I wrote about this very topic.

If your revolver is a Smith & Wesson with adjustable sights, there are a couple of alternatives. One is the fixed rear sight from Cylinder and Slide which replaces the rear sight assembly with a high-visibility two-dot. This is in conjunction with a corresponding front sight, but most S&Ws require the original front sight to be machined off. Another is a set of night sights made by Meprolight. The rear sight blade is replaced with one that has two tritium inserts, and the front insert goes into the slot vacated by the original red insert.

For that matter, high visibility sights on auto pistols are a relatively recent innovation. Anyone remember when it used to be the rage to install S&W revolver sights on 1911s? This was a specialty of Armand Swenson.

 

[JPM70535]

Most S&W J frame snubbys are quite accurate at normal handgun ranges. When I first entered LE, standard qualification with both on and off duty guns was at ranges out to 50 yards. (24shots at 50 IIRC)Never new anyone who had to retry to qualify.

If your eyes are old like mine, get a set of Crimson Trace Lazer Grip sights and zero them in. At the range at which most gunfights occur, day or night, you won't miss, just put the dot on the target.

 

[355sigfan]

you are likely to be so close to your target that you will never even see the sights.
END QUOTE

Unless your close enough to touch them you should use your sights. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.
Pat

 

[Croyance]

To an extent, I think that extra tools can help. A person needs to remember not to get brain lock with the options.
It is good to develop point shooting skills. When time is short, it is absolutely neccessary. When time allows aimed fire, it helps you line up the sights faster.
An easily visible front sight allows quicker aimed fire.
A good, wide rear sight allows a fast aquisition of a good sight picture.

All the tools come together for a faster result.

 

[355sigfan]

I am not a believer in point shooting. Using the sights does not have to slow you down. Use a flash sight picture. At close range all you really need to do is make sure the sights are in your vision with the target. But if you point with the gun out of your vision line you have just as much chance of missing as you do hitting.
Pat

 

[Majic]

So the old style of the speed rock really didn't work huh?

 

[dairycreek]

For combat shooting distances........

finding the front sight is, for me, the absolutely most important thing. To that end most of my handguns have some kind of "easy to find" front sight and for both revolvers and pistols alike I have come to favor Hi-Viz sights because my aging eyes can find them quickly. I care less about the configuration of the rear sight as long as it allows me to quickly center that front sight. Given those considerations I don't find a lot of difference between pistol and revo sights. Good shooting

 

[355sigfan]

So the old style of the speed rock really didn't work huh?
END QUOTE

Well since no one teaches that anymore. No it must not have been that effective. Also the speed rock was taught to be used in situations where you could touch your opponent. Extreemly close range. It was not meant for use past arms reach.
Pat