Big Dot Sites?

[Texas High Caliber]

Do any of you use/prefer them?

I recently rented a Glock 19 at the range that had a big dot site on it and had trouble using it. I found that it took up the whole X ring on the target and I was not able to see the exact spot I was pointing at. It was frustrating to say the least.

I can see the advantage in using it on a home defense weapon as it would allow you to aquire and shoot center of mass easier than your standard sites. I just don't know if shooting for accuracy is an option.

Anyone that uses or has used these site have any thoughts?

 

[navyguy]

Do any of you use/prefer them?

I recently rented a Glock 19 at the range that had a big dot site on it and had trouble using it. I found that it took up the whole X ring on the target and I was not able to see the exact spot I was pointing at. It was frustrating to say the least.

I can see the advantage in using it on a home defense weapon as it would allow you to aquire and shoot center of mass easier than your standard sites. I just don't know if shooting for accuracy is an option.

Anyone that uses or has used these site have any thoughts?

The Big Dots are designed for a CQ defense gun, and for that they are great. In a heated stress situation with a BG attacking, you are not likely to bring any hand gun to ready, carefully align front and rear sights and slowly pull the trigger waiting for the surprise break. You'd most likely bring it up, see the front sight and the center of mass of the BG and fire. We are talking 7 yards or less, which "they say" is where most such confrontations take place.

Although if you go to SX's website, they'll show you a video of accuracy shooting with those sights, so I guess if you practiced enough, you could shoot tight groups at the range. But there are better sights for that if that is important to you. Me, I just use standard 3 dot sights on my defense guns, and practice center of mass shooting using only the front sight, in a point shooting type method. Seems to work, but of course none of us really knows until an actual situation occures.

 

[M. Sage]

You mean XS sights? I have XS sights on my P220 SAO and love 'em. Once you get used to that big dot, it's no big deal to put shots exactly where you want. Acquisition is quick and alignment is easier and more intuitive than traditional sights. They do seem like they'd be a bit less precise, but compared to any other combat sight I haven't noticed myself at a handicap. Against some skinny little target sight, maybe...

The longest shots I've taken with that handgun and those sights was right around 40 yards during a run-and-gun. It was a left-side barricade shot on four pepper poppers. It took me five rounds to drop all four. In case you want to know what size target we're talking...

Over the top of a handgun, these things look tiny at that distance!

Then there are the usual nice tight slow-fire groups that I can pull off when I'm having an Ok day and things like that. I know, I'm talking smack, but I've done one-hole groups at 10 yards in a dark indoor range without trying too hard...

Get used to the XS sights, get to know them and use them properly and they're as accurate as any other combat sight. Possibly more so IMO.

Seriously, the sights on that Sig are one of the reasons why, if I had to sell all my guns tomorrow, I wouldn't sell that one (or my AK) for anything.

 

[Sneakyabn]

I run these sights on my handguns and love them. I put them on all my guns and usually get ragged single holes in targets. I have taken them out to 100yds and hit like 12 out of 15 rounds. These are go to go IMHO.

 

[navyguy]

You mean XS sights?

---------------

Yes of course. They are actually one of my customers.

 

[res1b3uq]

Had a high power that had them. did not like them.

 

[Texas High Caliber]

Thanks for the all the comments, I might have to get a set and give them an honest effort.

 

[M. Sage]

IMO if they're not for you, they're not for you. I liked them and they worked for me pretty much from the time I picked them up. There's a reason why there are so many different sights on the market, but I do love the design of these.

 

[xdmikey]

i want some badly but i don't know what gun to put them on.
i fell in love and was successful w/my sig 228 sights-bar dot or dot the i as i called it.
i assume(yeah, i know what they say)maybe incorrectly that the xs(big dot)sights would be the same.
i think Shiloh does xd work so i may have to go visit them w/my xd40.
i read an article in a mag(if anyone cares i can get the title for you)that rates sights. the big dots failed because they snagged a stocking(made it run)while drawing the weapon. all that does is make me reconsider a 'mexican carry'.
does anyone know of a place in houston that rents guns that has a big dot equipped piece?

 

[biglucky]

I have the XS Sights on a couple of my handguns as well as my AK and I love them. However they are not for precision shooting IMO. I have tried to use my Glock with the big dots for IPSC matches and trying to make headshots or shoot 3 inch plates at 15-20 feet is pretty difficult.

I absolutely do love the big dots on my AK even more than on my handguns.

 

[Mate]

For the record, Shiloh does NOT install XD sights.

Also, you can reverse engineer anything in a test to prove your point. If those big dots snagged a stocking (why the hell would a man be wearing stockings in the first place) then I'm sure the Heinie ledge and 10-8 rears I have would be hell on them too. But -

1. I never wear stockings, much less own a pair to get snagged on.
2. My gun rides in a holster, anything else is irresponsible.

Just my opinion.

 

[M. Sage]

i want some badly but i don't know what gun to put them on.
i fell in love and was successful w/my sig 228 sights-bar dot or dot the i as i called it.
i assume(yeah, i know what they say)maybe incorrectly that the xs(big dot)sights would be the same.
i think Shiloh does xd work so i may have to go visit them w/my xd40.
i read an article in a mag(if anyone cares i can get the title for you)that rates sights. the big dots failed because they snagged a stocking(made it run)while drawing the weapon. all that does is make me reconsider a 'mexican carry'.
does anyone know of a place in houston that rents guns that has a big dot equipped piece?

That's odd. The XS sights on my P220 are pretty rounded and I've never had them even try to snag. I'd be more worried about the rail on the dust cover doing that...