The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: ellis4538 on July 22, 2011, 04:30:53 AM
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Anyone besides MB have experience with XS sights? How difficult were they to get used to? Which did you get? Do they install the sights in house or did you have to find someone? How well have they hold up? etc, etc, etc. I was checking them out at the NRA convention and they seemed to work well but I'm undecided.
TIA
Richard
PS: Please give your experiences also MB
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I have them installed on my carry Glock 23.
My eyes are not as sharp as they used to be and trying to fit the front sight blade within the rear sight notch is extremely tedious.
I have Heinie Straight Eight Night Sights on my Glock 21 and Advantage Tactical sights on my Glock 21SF.
The Straight Eight sights didn't help the problem much....tho it does make them useful in the dark.
The Advantage sights http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=221 are an improvement but still require some "adjustment" for perfect alignment. They might be a good compromise for both target and SD use.
The XS sights, mine with the large dot, are quick and instinctive and, by far, the better of the three. I would only install XS sights in the future, barring development of a better alternative.
Don't expect better than SD accuracy with the XS sights.
I also have LaserMAX guide rod lasers installed on all three weapons.
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I've got a set laying in a drawer that were on my G30. If your shooting at anything smaller than a rhino the GIANT front dot is useless. The tritium is so weak you can hardly see it at night unless it's 100% pitch black.
Why they lay in a drawer now. Pi$$ed I wasted the money. :(
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I've got a set laying in a drawer that were on my G30. If your shooting at anything smaller than a rhino the GIANT front dot is useless. The tritium is so weak you can hardly see it at night unless it's 100% pitch black.
Why they lay in a drawer now. Pi$$ed I wasted the money. :(
I can see the stress they are bringing you.
I think I am prepared to deal with it better than you are.
To lend a hand, you can send them to me and you only need to cover the cost of postage.
I think my Glock 17 will be able to teach them some manners and it won't be kind to them while doing it.
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I can see the stress they are bringing you.
I think I am prepared to deal with it better than you are.
To lend a hand, you can send them to me and you only need to cover the cost of postage.
I think my Glock 17 will be able to teach them some manners and it won't be kind to them while doing it.
Man, you're better than Dr. Phil.....you should have your own show. ;) ;D
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It'd be worth digging them out for ohhhh, fifty bucks. ;) (they were 129 new)
But keep in mind, the rear site for a Glock .45 and 10mm is different than it is for any of the other calibers if memory serves. Isn't a 17 9mil?
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I run them on almost all of my pistols. The comment above on the front dot being to big is from someone who didn't read the directions on how to use them. At ranges close enough for the dot to cover something you aim off of the top edge of the dot, you do not cover your target with the dot like a traditional sight. It takes a little practice but they are well worth the trouble to learn. Besides they're not designed for precision target shooting, they're tactical sights. If you use them the way they're designed they're the best sight on the market IMO. Obviously they're doing something right since Trijicon is now basically copying them in they're new model. I like the look of the Trijicon since they offer different colors but haven't tried any yet. I think the best application for the big dots is the front sight only for J-Frames or other snubbies. I've got 2 wit them and love them.
As for the OP's other question XS does install, usually with about a 1 week turnaround and does it free most of the time. If it's a J-Frame with a staked front they charge $8 to drill the hole (I did my own) or like $75 to cut down the fixed front blade and mill in their sight on older J-Frames.
As far as them not being bright I guess they have duds like everybody else. Over the years I've used night sights from basically every brand on the market, Trijicon, Meprolight, Tru-Glo etc. and the XS are as bright or brighter than any set I've ever used.
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Didn't know Trijicon was going to use the XS configuration.
What I'd like to see is LaserLyte and XS work together.
I'd not mind a XS rear sight with a built in Laser sight.
Loose a little bit in redundancy since if your rear sight gets knocked off the slide, you have no sight...but that hasn't happened to me very often.
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(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1020325.jpg?t=1311377159)
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1020326.jpg)
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1020328.jpg?t=1311377350)
UGH, found them! In the third pic (taken in a dark room) I sat the XS's on the gun next to their replacements. Glock brand iron, tritium sights.
Solus, pm me your address. If your satisfied (their like new) send me a check or whatever for the fifty. I'll pm you my address to. If not, just send them back. Seriously, the last thing I want is anyone to think I did wrong by them. ;)
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Thanks, Badger.
Take care.
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I've got XS Big Dots on all my carry guns and hit with them what needs hitting especially for those defensive situations. And we've all seen the YouTube videos of Yeager making long range shots with his G19 w/ Big Dots.
During a training class, the instructor was not a proponent of the XS sights and had some Sevigny's on his Glock. I was "called out" to make the head shot at 20+ yds. on a target after he'd done it with his Glock. All of mine hit their mark as well and the point of his demonstration was lost after that. It's just a matter of knowing your point of impact.
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I use them (big dot) on my Glock 30 and have no problems with them; I like them alot. I went through a Rob Pincus class shooting with them and I struggled shooting a 2" square at 18 yard (IIRC). But then again I didn't have them long when I took the class and I hadn't practiced making very precise shots. Their main strength is to get on target fast allowing me to deliver "combat accurate" hits.
If you get a chance to pick up a set, I encourage you to do so; I think you'll be pleased.
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2" square at about 18 yard (IIRC).
That'd be kinda' tough for me regardless of the kind of sights!
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Didn't know Trijicon was going to use the XS configuration.
What I'd like to see is LaserLyte and XS work together.
I'd not mind a XS rear sight with a built in Laser sight.
Loose a little bit in redundancy since if your rear sight gets knocked off the slide, you have no sight...but that hasn't happened to me very often.
Not exactly the same since the rear still uses 2 tubes in the 3 dot configuration but without any outlines. The front uses the big dot principal but in different color choices: http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product1.php?id=HDNS (http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product1.php?id=HDNS)
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Not exactly the same since the rear still uses 2 tubes in the 3 dot configuration but without any outlines. The front uses the big dot principal but in different color choices: http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product1.php?id=HDNS (http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product1.php?id=HDNS)
I see....
Yes, the rear sight configuration is what really aids in speed....no balancing white space...just center on the line and shoot.
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I see....
Yes, the rear sight configuration is what really aids in speed....no balancing white space...just center on the line and shoot.
I like the XS system better but the Trijicon HD is an easier transition for most people. It gets you to focus mostly on the front sight. The dot is big enough that it will fill the entire rear notch and you'd only notice the rear dots in a low light condition. It would be better for a precision shot from someone who hasn't or doesn't wish to train to shoot the XS style. I personally have no issues shooting all head shots with my big dots out to 25 yards. If I put the top edge of the dot to the top edge of the target and basically use the dot to cover the upper torso everything groups tightly into the head/neck no problem.
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Just to through in my two cents...
I have the XS small dot site on my S&W1911 and I love them. While I can use the three dot set up as well as anyone my issue was always a sense of billboarding the target. I feel as though it takes far to much sight picture away from the threat to use three dots. I had a set of straight eights and while they were a marked improvement the dots were too small to be of any use.
Bare in mind I shoot my pistol with both eyes open so your results may differ but I like the fact the XS rear sight is grooved almost like a rifle sight. In my opinion this gives you the most viewing area from behind the gun you can get. I have no experience with the large dot but the small dot seems to naturally come to the center of the groove in the rear sight and then its just a matter of trigger control to be able to hit the target. I am by no means a world class shooter but I feel this gives me the best compromise between speed and accuracy that just the sights on the pistol can provide. So for what its worth I give them an A+ rating.
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The verdict seems to be love them or hate them, no middle ground.
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I got a cert. for XS sights and will have them installed on my carry Colt Officers ACP at a cost of $70 for installation (XS finally got back to me). Will file a range report later.
Richard
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Just to through in my two cents...
I have the XS small dot site on my S&W1911 and I love them. While I can use the three dot set up as well as anyone my issue was always a sense of billboarding the target. I feel as though it takes far to much sight picture away from the threat to use three dots. I had a set of straight eights and while they were a marked improvement the dots were too small to be of any use.
Bare in mind I shoot my pistol with both eyes open so your results may differ but I like the fact the XS rear sight is grooved almost like a rifle sight. In my opinion this gives you the most viewing area from behind the gun you can get. I have no experience with the large dot but the small dot seems to naturally come to the center of the groove in the rear sight and then its just a matter of trigger control to be able to hit the target. I am by no means a world class shooter but I feel this gives me the best compromise between speed and accuracy that just the sights on the pistol can provide. So for what its worth I give them an A+ rating.
I shoot both eyes open as well and on the few pistols I don't have the big dots on I pretty much only use the front sight unless I'm taking a very slow, deliberate aimed shot, like a head shot. I totally agree how the front sight always seems to just hit the notch perfectly. It seems like I can come up to target to shoot fast, front sight only for a center mass shot but if I slow it down and really check my aim I'm in perfect alignment already with the front to rear. To me the big dot is almost like shooting my open pistol with the red dot. I still think the big dot front is the best thing to ever happen to a j-frame or similar revolver.
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....I still think the big dot front is the best thing to ever happen to a j-frame or similar revolver.....
+1
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I have XS big dot on my XDM .45 and Para .45. I installed them myself. The Para was pretty easy. The XDM was quite a challange. I've seen pictures of a lot of damage on XD slides on line. I took my time and worked with only nylon punches. I used several punches and damaged all of them but not the gun. The sights on the XD pistols are very tight. I actually broke the front factory sight getting it off. They are on now and i've had them from several years and i love them.
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Since I've owned 3 XDs, I invested early in the B&J Machine Sight Tool. Happened to catch it on-sale at MWUSA. I've broken even so far over paying a gun smith.
For XDs you need both the basic tool and the hold-down clamp. Those suckers are in there tight. You will never shoot them loose. A sight might break but it isn't going to drift.
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They make a tool for installing dove tailed sights, it looks sort of like a C clamp and fits over the slide or barrel, then you just crank on it to push the sight in.
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They make a tool for installing dove tailed sights, it looks sort of like a C clamp and fits over the slide or barrel, then you just crank on it to push the sight in.
Here is one for all Glocks. Not cheap, but if you intend on working with multiple Glocks, it might be worthwhile.
Or maybe have it as a "loaner" for a small fee plus shipping :D :D
http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=665&CAT=111
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Here is one for all Glocks. Not cheap, but if you intend on working with multiple Glocks, it might be worthwhile.
Or maybe have it as a "loaner" for a small fee plus shipping :D :D
http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=665&CAT=111
That's less than the B&J tool, but the B&J can be adapted to most any gun.