Just can't "like" the XS sights

[santahog]

I've had a set on the EDC now for about a year. I gave my gun smith choice as to what I ought to try. He picked the XS "Big Dot" for my aging eyes.
I just can't find "precision" with them. It's me more than the sights, but it doesn't allow me to concentrate/intuitively correct on things that I do naturally to throw the shot off.
The rear "dot" is dwarfed by the front, and the low light sight picture is just about front sight only for me. It takes alot more "thinking" for me to shoot it well than a regular Three Dot night sight kinda set up.
I know they advertise here, and alot of folks have decided that it's more than just the flavor of the month, but I just can't get used to them...
I would rather have Three Dot or even a regular old Straight Eight than what I've got now..
Can't afford a redo and taking it in, saying "I HATE THESE THINGS" to my gun smith would hurt his feelings..
I suppose if I get something freed up to replace them, I'll just say "I'm ready for something new". I love that he's there and I trust his work completely. I wouldn't ever want to hurt his feelings. He's a nice guy and I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings, raising hell about something that I gave him to do for me (that I asked him to do)..
As long as I don't have to make a long shot from the back of the sanctuary on Sunday morning, I guess we'll be okay.

[tombogan03884]

I've got several thoughts, but no real opinion on this since I've never tried the XS sights at the range .
I've looked at them in the gun store and thought I would not care for them .
One thing I notice MB and others stressing with pistol shooting is "FRONT SIGHT", not "sights".
I think this may be because , like with a ghost ring sight, the eye automatically centers the front sight.
Also there is the issue of trying to focus on the separate distances as the same time, rear sight, front sight, and target .
Another thought is that for self defense, which is usually at closer ranges does it really matter if you hit your attacker between the eyes or in the nuts ? How much precision do you need as long as your hits are on the target ?
That being said, as I stated before, the one time I looked a set over I really did not like them .

[GASPASSERDELUXE]

I practise shooting with just the front sight. One thing I have noticed is there strong tendecy tho tilt the gun front to back causing high shots on the target. I have to pay close attention to insure the barrel is level to avoid shooting high.

To use just the front sight the gun has to be held below you line of sight and this is what causes it to happen at least in my shooting.

[kmitch200]

I wouldn't worry so much about the gunsmiths feeelings, it is YOUR gun after all.
Give this a read:
•No top-ranked competitive shooter uses them.
 •No military unit in the U.S. uses them.
 •No major LE agency in the U.S. uses them.
 •No major SWAT team in the U.S. uses them.

The article echoes a lot of your findings.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/2140

[ellis4538]

sh, I am of the same opinion as you.  I have them and poa/poi is not the same as with the old sights.  With my old eyes, precision has been out of the question for a while with handgun.  I too cannot afford to change them so I will stick with them. 

Richard

PS:  I agree that it is not about hurt feelings but about being able too see the sight when needed!!!!!!!!

[Sponsor]

[billt]

This brings up another question I wanted to ask. Which rear aperture do you guys use on standard AR-15 iron sights? I always use the smaller one, regardless of the range. Sometimes, for me, even that seems too large.

[jstm]

I like them on some guns . My 85 year old Dad has them on a Hi Power. I have them on a Glock 27. They work on those pretty good .
 Meprolight on most work great.

[kmitch200]

This brings up another question I wanted to ask. Which rear aperture do you guys use on standard AR-15 iron sights? I always use the smaller one, regardless of the range. Sometimes, for me, even that seems too large.

I, like you, prefer the small one. The large one (I read somewhere) is 'for moving targets'.
My 5.56 with the standard A2 rear has the approx. 2 MOA height difference between the two apertures.

My 308 has the same plane rear sight so I can dial back and forth and have the same zero. I usually use the small one.
 http://www.gggaz.com/mad-back-up-iron-sight.html

[JoeG]

I cowitnessed a red dot on my AR and that is much more useful for me.

I am sorry to hear that the XS big dots are frustrating. I looked at them a while ago thinking I would prefer a lollipop style dot on a stick to the three dots. Has anyone tried the XS with the small front dot option?

[santahog]

Good to know it's not just me..
I'm old enough and broke enough that it gripes my butt to spend $ on something that isn't more useful to me..
It's my own fault..