Sight Picture Question

dts686 · May 31, 2011, 01:00 AM

Hello,

I have a S&W 686 and am not sure about the correct sight picture I should be using. In the first picture the red part of the front ramp is filling the rear site. In the second picture I put the top of the ramp lined up with the rear site. Which is correct?

Thanks you in advance for steering me in right direction!

Powderman · May 31, 2011, 01:18 AM

"B" is correct.

rodfac · May 31, 2011, 07:57 AM

Not sure about your schematics...but the top of the front sight should be level with the top of the rear sight's blade "ears". Rod

carguychris · May 31, 2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

"B" is correct.

+1. I'm pretty sure that the area above the red insert is finished in matte black on most M686's, but if it's not, it often helps to paint this area with matte black plastic model paint or very carefully* blacken it with a lighter. This makes the top of the sight a lot easier to distinguish in bright sunlight.

*The red insert is plastic and will melt- this is why I prefer model paint.

g.willikers · May 31, 2011, 02:28 PM

Use the sight picture that puts the bullet where you want.
No two sets of eyes are the same.

Powderman · May 31, 2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Use the sight picture that puts the bullet where you want.
No two sets of eyes are the same.

No, they are not--but the two major, bedrock fundamentals of accurate shooting are the same:

Front sight centered, with the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear sight; once that is achieved, concentrate on the front sight and move the trigger smoothly to the rear without disturbing that sight picture until the firearm discharges. Recover and repeat as necessary.

C7AR15 · June 1, 2011, 12:25 AM

A proper sight picture means Focusing on the front sight!

The human eye cannot focus on objects in 3 planes !. rear sight, front sight and the target.

When you focus on the front sight - the target will blurr (and this is correct)
and the rear sight will blurr too.

So sight picture in words - Sights level across the top, with even amounts of light on either side of front sight in the rear sight notch.

Front sight focused on (clear and sharP) and the target a blurred image.

PS: 25 Yrs Exp - Master level PPC Revolver and Semi auto

Good Shooting JD

warningshot · June 1, 2011, 03:41 AM

Some replies went sideways. The post asks about the correct, textbook sight picture.

Do you see now why plain, well defined and non reflective black sights are so important?

Among others, Sig & Glock guns have white do-dads on the front sight. The result is more than just a few shooters never understanding what a solid sight picture looks like.

Confused? Think....Top-Top-Top-Top-Top, top of the sight, not the top of the paint job on the sight. B. B. B. B. B. B.

stevelyn · June 1, 2011, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Do you see now why plain, well defined and non reflective black sights are so important?

S&W and Ruger both have a bad habit of putting those worthless red-insert front sights on their guns. :barf:
I hate them because the shiney glare coming off the insert causes you to shoot away from your target.

They don't do anything for you at low light because red is the first color to disappear from the spectrum and they are only marginal for helping you pick up the sight under ideal conditions.

I'm getting mine replaced at first opportunity. For now while doing range work I just hose them down with Birchwood-Casey Sight Black.

May 31, 2011, 01:18 AM	#2
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	"B" is correct. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...

May 31, 2011, 07:57 AM	#3
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	Not sure about your schematics...but the top of the front sight should be level with the top of the rear sight's blade "ears". Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

May 31, 2011, 02:28 PM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Use the sight picture that puts the bullet where you want. No two sets of eyes are the same. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

June 1, 2011, 12:25 AM	#7
C7AR15 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2011 Location: Burnaby Posts: 260	Front sight focus A proper sight picture means Focusing on the front sight! The human eye cannot focus on objects in 3 planes !. rear sight, front sight and the target. When you focus on the front sight - the target will blurr (and this is correct) and the rear sight will blurr too. So sight picture in words - Sights level across the top, with even amounts of light on either side of front sight in the rear sight notch. Front sight focused on (clear and sharP) and the target a blurred image. PS: 25 Yrs Exp - Master level PPC Revolver and Semi auto Good Shooting JD

June 1, 2011, 03:41 AM	#8
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	Great question! Some replies went sideways. The post asks about the correct, textbook sight picture. Do you see now why plain, well defined and non reflective black sights are so important? Among others, Sig & Glock guns have white do-dads on the front sight. The result is more than just a few shooters never understanding what a solid sight picture looks like. Confused? Think....Top-Top-Top-Top-Top, top of the sight, not the top of the paint job on the sight. B. B. B. B. B. B.