XS Big Dots on an M&P

[Big D]

Hey yall. I should be receiving my new M&P9 this week. The model I ordered comes with the standard factory night sights. I have recently been impressed with the XS Big Dots, but have heard alot of controversy when it comes to the accuracy of these sights. I have watched numerous videos showing the practical accuracy of them, but read many forums which say the sights are not accurate enough. Does anyone have any experience with them?

 

[snooperman]

I have one on my Snubby S&W as it is a point and shoot up-close defense weapon.

 

[snooperman]

At longer distances , it is hard for me to get good sight- to- target definition with that big of a sight. For a "duty" pistol I do not like them.

 

[wally]

Why not try it as it comes and think about changing only after you've determined where the factory sights are actually lacking for your usage.

 

[Mainsail]

I have one on my Snubby S&W as it is a point and shoot up-close defense weapon.

Exactly.

For little guns I think the XS Big Dots are perfect- they let you get that front sight on target quickly.

I would never put them on a 1911 or any full sized gun as they make distance shots harder.

They are a tool for a job. They are the right tool for some jobs and not the right tool for other jobs. My little XDs in .45 wasn't really meant for shooting 50 yard target groups- it's not the tool for that job. The XS Big Dot sights are a good match for that gun.

 

[CWL]

It always depends on your application. For room range HD/SD, they are great and fast "express" sites. They just don't work for precision longer range shots that well because they aren't designed for that. With practice, they are fast & accurate.

I think that they probably will work for most people's handguns, but our egos keep us from admitting that we rarely shoot farther than 10-25 yards with a pistol. I include myself in this.

I got one set for my dad, and as my eyes get worse over the decades, I'll be transitioning my defensive firearms to them as well.

 

[critter]

I have one on a Glock 17. They are what they are. GOOD for quick shooting especially up close. Mine is sighted to hit right where you put the big ole dot.

Not the best for general target shooting of good groups. However, if you monkey around a bit and draw some targets with big, round bulls, you might just be surprised how small the groups are you can shoot.

Tickled with them on mine. YMMV.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Uses....

If you plan to use the new M&P for concealed carry, duty or outdoor-range use, Id suggest the steel Trijicon HD night sights. They are robust & well engineered. I like the orange-green format. But many say the green night sights are best.
XS Big Dot sights are okay but I wouldn't buy them for a carry gun.
David Bowie, www.bowietacticalconcepts.com , the Ohio SWAT cop & pistol smith is widely known for M&P work. He offers a few night sight choices & packages.

10-8 Performance is also a LE/armed industry leader in gun sights. They suggest "fiber optic" night sights for the M&P pistols but I'd choose the HDs.
To me, fiber optic sights are too thin & weak.
With duty or rough use they may be damaged quickly.
Fixed night sights that hold up is the ideal plan for a carry gun.

 

[dbp]

I have the XS Big Dots on my Glock 26, M&P Shield and Kahr P380. They work well for me. My eyes are just not up to getting a clear picture of the front sight with most factory sights.

At the 7 to 15 yard range my accuracy actually improved with the Big Dots, especially in low light situations. So if CC self defense is your concern, they work well.

Just a thought, but if you do decide to put the Big Dots on your M&P, you may want to consider dropping in an Apex trigger kit at that time. That's what I did with my Shield and that is quite a nice combo for me--improved sights and better trigger.

 

[RustyShackelford]

+1 for a polymer trigger....

Id agree too with adding a after market Apex Tactical trigger kit or having a custom trigger job(Bowie Tactical Concepts).
I owned 02 M&Ps, a full size 9x19mm(with safety) & a compact .45acp. The compact .45acp shot fine but my friend's dad(who's a lifetime NRA member & in the skeet shooter's HoF) said the M&P trigger was "mushy"

Add-ons & custom work is not critical for any carry gun but to change the sights & get a Apex trigger may help. A match grade M&P barrel couldn't hurt either, .
When I can I might get a new or LE trade in .40S&W M&P then buy a 9x19mm conversion barrel.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I tried several different sights before I settled on XS sights for my self defense hand guns. I've taken many self defense handgun classes with them and they work just fine for me.

 

[340PD]

I went with AmeriGlo i-Dots. Kind of a compromise between the stock sights and Big Dots.