Speed sights - a new player in town?

[basicblur]

I don't jump at the latest, greatest gizmo until it's had time to prove itself (I still run the old Trijicon 3-dot night sights), but I heard an admittedly hard sales pitch on a podcast the other day for Speed Sights, so I cruised on over to their site, and thought they look promising?

I've heard some of these podcasters jump on something new, then later find out their newest toy falls short in certain areas - I've heard a number that jumped on Big Dots, but later found the lack of accuracy for longer shots disappointing.

The Speed Sights supposedly offer quick target acquisition, but also allow use for longer range, precision aiming.
I believe they also use Trijicon inserts for their night sights.

I'm not in the market for sights at this time, but I thought the Speed Sights looked promising enough to make me give 'em a try over my old tried and true Trijicon 3-dots sights when the time comes to replace my Trijicons.

[nalioth]

I don't see how this is any different from previous "next best thing" sight arrangements.

Practiced individuals don't take the time to line up sights, anyway.

Unpracticed individuals might be involved in a hand-to-hand kerfluffle by the time they line up sights . .


If you heard it on a podcast, I'd call it "paid advertisement couched as 'journalism'"

[SMMAssociates]

basicblur:

XS sights are NOT intended for paper-punching nor long-range accuracy. The "Big Dot" version conforms to my view of being able to put six rounds into about a six inch circle at 30'. "Small Dot" versions are just a smidge, IMHO, sloppier than standard blade sights, but the rear "V" is not really conducive to extreme accuracy, either.

I have some of each, and find that the "Small Dot" are quite good enough for our club's 50' indoor range. The "Big Dot" doesn't really cut it until we get a lot closer....

And, yes, if you're really using the sights, things could get too close real fast, but the XS system does seem to provide some advantages.

(The "Big Dot" set I have, on an M&P, doesn't have the tritium rear vial - there are size/room issues according to Bo - but that doesn't seem to bear upon range use. I'm not entirely convinced that night sights are worth the effort, but as cheap insurance, use them....)

I looked at the "Speed Sights".... IMHO, the shape of the dots is likely irrelevant.... Having a different colored front sight may be more useful. But if the price is competitive, and the quality is there, why not? Bigger "dots", whether round or diamond-shaped, might be useful for some, but....

(I must confess that two of the guns I have here arrived with night sights. They just were on the gun when I bought 'em.)

My reason, other than "cheap insurance", for bothering to install them:

Here in OH, we had (still have, to some extent) a "duty to retreat" requirement that makes some shooting situations kind of legally iffy for us, and serious responsibility for "misses".

SO, there will be situations where you can see the subject, have to shoot, and can't see your own sights. Night sights can be very useful at that point.

My "outdoor" EDC rotation guns also have lasers. Great for training, but I probably should have saved the money....

Regards,

[KodiakBeer]

Kimber offered these "half ghost ring" sights 15 or so years ago. I bought a set for my compact and they work just great. I don't know if anyone is making them any longer...

See upper left corner for sight picture:

[SMMAssociates]

KodiakBeer:

With my bifocals, that sight picture is kinda close ....

Seriously, the XS sight system uses a rear sight that's a flat "V", and results in almost exactly the same rear sight picture. I think the Kimber may be a little more "natural" if you're used to anything but the "V", though.

XS' big dots kinda put a basketball out there, which blocks the view a little, but does put you in my mythical 6" circle at 30' pretty well. The small dot front sight looks just like the Kimber picture. Pretty standard looking front night sight with a white plastic ring around it for daytime visibility. Not all that bad for paper punching once you get used to it.

FWIW, I don't recall ever seeing that Kimber setup, but it's not too strange, and most people could transition to that without any effort at all. Some of the stuff I've seen as "WOW" come out as "go buy a set for every gun you carry or you're now dead"....

Regards,

[KodiakBeer]

The theory behind the Kimber sight is (was) that your eye will unconsciously complete the circle and place the dot in the center. I found that to be perfectly true - it shoots like a Red Dot. The front sight is a HiViz fiber optic and so you can change the size of the dot (and the color) by inserting various rods. I'm not sure if HiViz also made the rear sight, but the whole package was an option that Kimber offered back in the 90's.

I like it on my compact which is a purely defense pistol. It's very fast and accurate enough...

[basicblur]

I looked at the "Speed Sights".... IMHO, the shape of the dots is likely irrelevant....

I think the shape of the dots is relevant (and is probably the main point?).

I've heard a number of folks that jumped on Big Dots, but when the newness wore off, they complained they degraded longer range accuracy shots (covered too much of the target). This is one reason I never considered Big Dots - while they may be good at what they do, I just have a problem giving up the ability for accurate aim should the need arise.

From what I see, the Speed Sights are supposed to allow quick sight acquisition for close, moment of BG shots, while the tip of the center diamond can be used for longer range shots which require more accuracy, better aim.

If I had a set, I'd probably set 'em up for use with the tip of the center diamond - the closer you get, the less need for the tip and accuracy.