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Fixed Sights

Jorbo378Jorbo378 Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
I see new handguns advertised with fixed sights. How does this work? Are they already sighted in when you buy them? If they are not sighted in, how can you aim accuratly without having to buy adjustable sights. I saw an ad and I was just wondering about this.
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Comments

  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    I am wondering why you have to ask the question. Are you totally unfamiliar with firearms? Not trying to be cute here, but anyone with even limited firearm experience would not have to ask the question.
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  • bsebastbsebast Member Posts: 190 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Please forgive 22WRF's comments--he must be having a terrible day. There is no such thing as an inappropriate question when it comes to firearms. Guns can be unforgiving when learning by trial and error. If you don't understand something, always ask. And don't feel bad about doing so. Usually someone with experience will more than glad to give you the answer. To answer your question, most fixed sights are adjustable in that the rear sight can be pushed back and forth in its dovetail slot to get side to side alignment. Up and down alignment can be achieved by filing on the front or rear sight.Now days, with the precision manufacturing techniques used by modern gun makers, little, if any, sight adjustment is required.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fixed sights means the rear sight is mounted in a very tight dovetail and you have to tap it right or left with a plastic or brass hammer to adjust for windage error. There are also c-clamp type tools for making these delicate adjustments.Elevation adjustment is made with a file to the front sight if the gun is shooting too low and the rear sight if shooting too high.
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  • ref44ref44 Member Posts: 251 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good grief! I thought we all had to start somewhere; but I guess 22WRF entered the world knowing it all. I sure am glad folks were patient with me in my earlier years. I needed all the help I could..and was grateful to get it.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Of course, then there are the fixed sights of Colt single action variety, that have no means of adjustment on the rear sight, as its just a notch cut in the top strap. The front sight is only adjustable by filing down or actually turning the barrel for windage, by a gunsmith of course. Had to stick that in there for our beginner to be well rounded.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jorbo378 - In addition to the above, please know that different loads (different weights of the bullets, different types and weights of gunpowder) of the same caliber will hit to different points of impact from the same firearm. Therefore, if you decide on a weapon with fixed sites, be sure to consider experimenting with different loads to determine which one your gun likes best.
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    When only shooting from one end of the bar to the other, who needs sights?
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.[This message has been edited by Lowrider (edited 01-20-2002).]
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Lowrider, havent you ever been to a Texas bar?
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Yeah, I have. Oklahoma too.Some damn long bars south of the Mason-Dixon.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • songdogsongdog Member Posts: 355 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just long enough to hold one dancer for every shot sold that night.songdog
    Be bold in what you stand for, careful in what you fall for.[This message has been edited by songdog (edited 01-21-2002).]
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  • songdogsongdog Member Posts: 355 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    wouldn't filing down the sight cause the finish on the pistol to be ruined at that particular spot. I prefer the sights that are adjustable for windage and elevation all from the rear sight.songdog
    Be bold in what you stand for, careful in what you fall for.
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  • bsebastbsebast Member Posts: 190 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    songdog-- Filing the sights does take the finish off but if it's done neatly it looks OK. I usually use a little cold blue to touch up the filed area.I too prefer fully adjustable rear sights on pistols that are used primarily for target shooting. However, for a personal defence gun--a gun that gets carried a lot--I prefer fixed sights. Fixed sights are more sturdy and less apt to get accidently knocked out of alignment. Thanks to everyone except 22WRF for participating in this thread. It has been educational. I hope Jorbo378 has been following the replies...and doesn't give up on us because of one rude member.
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