XS Big Dot sights

HighVelocity · #1

Cosmo 9:
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I think I might need some pointers!
My XS big dot sights are great for draw and shoot but at any distance at all they block out the intire target! What am I doing wrong????

I'm starting this thread because of your question Cosmo. It's a really good question and debate over the answer is pretty intense in my IDPA club.

First, I love the big dot sights. I can hit a 10" steel plate at 50 yards with my Springfield Trophy Match that is equipped with them.
I have not tried this with the 17 yet.
At the state championship, my best stage was the 35 yard "canyon". This was 6 shots at 35 yards and I did it in 5.79 seconds and only 1 down. Thats in the top 25 times for that stage I believe. Of course, when you choke on the rest of the stages, it doesn't matter, anyway, I digress.

I've been told by more than one person that these sights are no good past 20 yards. Hogwash!
If you practice and really know your gun, these sights work.

Ok, now, how do you aim these things... You take the big dot front sight and cover whatever you want to hit with it. That's it. If you're looking at the target and you bring the big dot up and cover it then that's where the bullet is going. It's been working really well for me and I only started using these sights in February of this year.

Can you hit a soda can at 100 yards, maybe, I haven't tried but doubt I could on the first shot (or two). That's not what these sights are for. They really are designed for close quarters but I've had great luck with them at up to 50yds.

I even put a set on my SA GI. These are the plain white non-tritium sights but they work just as well.

I won a set of 24/7 Big dots at the state championship and installed them on my primary carry which is a full size Kimber 1911 and I'd have them on every pistol I own if I had the money.

Cosmo 9 · #2

HV, Thanks for the info. I have always liked the line and dot sights myself. I think I may be a little uneasy shooting indoors with the target blocked. I will try outside (when it cools off a bit). I have the same style sights on my PM9 but the front sight is much smaller and they don't block as much. Sounds like I just need more range time

flintknapper · #3

I've learned to use a 6 O'Clock sight picture on my targets that are beyond 15yds. You have to aim just a bit higher than normal, but it works O.K. with a little practice.

I don't use the rear "bar sight" on mine, instead I kept the Meprolight Tru-Dot rear I had before and widened the notch with a file. This allows me to "bracket" more effectively than with the bar sight.

I like the sight.. and have been shooting it for 4-5 years, but its not for fine work IMO.

Cosmo 9 · #4

HV, my XD-9 has the XS 24/7 big dots if your wife would like to try them in the next comp. just let me know and she's welcome to borrow it.

HighVelocity · #5

Cosmo 9 wrote:HV, my XD-9 has the XS 24/7 big dots if your wife would like to try them in the next comp. just let me know and she's welcome to borrow it.

Hey thanks!

That's a very generous offer and I may just take you up on it.

Cosmo 9 · #6

This is the only forum on the planet where such offers are extended

. The offer is real feel free to take me up on it anytime.

jbirds1210 · #7

I got mine put on the Glock 17 today and took it for a test run.....very nice. After a brief 20 minute shoot at the range, I will try them next weekend for IDPA in Dripping Springs, Texas! The dot on these puppies is so big it seems to scream out......"me, watch me you big dummy"

Jason

HighVelocity · #8

The dot on these puppies is so big it seems to scream out......"me, watch me you big dummy"

flintknapper · #9

jbirds1210 wrote:I got mine put on the Glock 17 today and took it for a test run.....very nice. After a brief 20 minute shoot at the range, I will try them next weekend for IDPA in Dripping Springs, Texas! The dot on these puppies is so big it seems to scream out......"me, watch me you big dummy"
Jason

Agreed, you can't miss that front sight.

The faster I shoot, the more I tend to concentrate on the target (this would be true of a threat too). Even so, the front sight is so prominent that I notice it as a "ghost sight" no matter where my concentration is.

After about 5 years of hard use, I had part of the white plastic insert that surrounds the tritium.. chip away. They replaced it free of charge (just on my word) and even sent a bubble-pac with postage to return the old one.

I had only written them to inquire if I could buy just the front sight, I was not expecting a replacement. In fact the company was still "Ashley" when I purchased my sight.

They get an A+ in my book.