Metal,
My P97 is the same way. Front dot is right ON the target.
As for your flinch, you just need to practice at home by putting a coin on the end of the barrel and dry-fire the gun a LOT until you can do it easily without letting coin fall off. By doing this at home, you are training yourself mentally and you'll find it endlessly helpful at the shooting range. Have fun with your Ruger - it's a tough gun.
