What is your front sight width, rear notch width preference?

[Lead Waster]

I never thought much about it. I installed replacement Dawson Precision sights on my PPQ. At the time there was only one choice for the rear sights ... a 0.145" rear notch "charger". And I chose a 0.100 " front sight width. I could find them quick, but man, that front sight swam in the rear notch. I measured my CA-75 SA's sights (competitions CZ Sights) and the width and notch were both 0.125". I ordered a replacement set of Dawsons with those dimensions. Actually I'm going to leave the 0.100 in the front and swap in the 0.125 width notch for the rear and on my backup 4" ppq, I'll stick the 0.125 front and 0.145 rear so as to not waste money on sights for the other gun.

I use that gun for competition and it's quick but innacurate. Now, yes, I'm blaming the sites until proven wrong.

Anyway... do you guys have a preference? For me, I want to hit steel plates at 15-30 yards, and I like to see nice groups on paper at the indoor range, so the "fast aquisition" seems to work against me as I can aquire the sites fast enough, but for me to align them takes too long.

For "close combat" which is just not a real reality, I have XS Big Dots on my Shield, but that is irrelevant to this topic as it's a whole different "philosophy of use".

Thoughts on blade and notch widths? What works for you?

[himurax13]

Pistol sight selection is a personal thing. It really boils down on how you will use it.

For most long range/precision shooting, a .100/.090 front with a .115/.125 rear is sufficient.

For speed shooting, some people prefer more space between the front and rear sights.

For use with night sights, you will typically need a larger rear sight notch to accommodate the width of front sights with tritium vials.

The larger your front sight is, the more of your target will be covered by it. That is why I don't recommend setups with large front sights.

[Patrick Aherne]

I'm 46 and my eyes no longer work like they used to. I go with the Heinie Straight 8s with .215" width up front and the .156" notch at the rear for duty pistols.

[jonzer77]

When I got my PPQ I went with the 10-8 performance .140 rear and the .125 Dawson precision FO and did well in steel challenge(shaved 20 seconds off my fastest time with a 1911). I picked up a dawson precision .100 to try out for faster shooting with the .140 rear and I couldn't hit a thing when I went to my local range to shoot some plates. I ended up putting the .125 FO sight back on.

[balmo]

I bought a .140 10-8 rear on .120 dawson fronts for my 1911. If i had to do it again, i'd get .100 fronts and .125 rears

[Fishslayer]

A friend let me shoot his G19 with (I think) Trijicons on it. Not sure of the specs but they had a "U" rear notch. For one reason or another the sight picture seemed really natural and I shot it really well.

[lakersfan]

Not sure what my preference is yet only shot my Glock with the stock sights. Installed Sevigny competition sights but haven't shot it with them yet.
Front is .115 wide x .215 tall and rear is .150 wide x .120.

[Thanatos2203]

I bought the Dawson FO front that was specified for the factory rear sight on my XD-45 service. Went with the .100 as well and then used paint thinner to take the white dots off the factory rear. I don't know what the specs are on the XD rear sight (.152?) but I am able to see the target very well with the space around the front sight. Very happy with this set up and like it better than Glock OEM and my Sig 1911 Novak night sights. My accuracy improved dramatically when I did this.

[Lead Waster]

I bought the Dawson FO front that was specified for the factory rear sight on my XD-45 service. Went with the .100 as well and then used paint thinner to take the white dots off the factory rear. I don't know what the specs are on the XD rear sight (.152?) but I am able to see the target very well with the space around the front sight. Very happy with this set up and like it better than Glock OEM and my Sig 1911 Novak night sights. My accuracy improved dramatically when I did this.

My ppq is set up with the .100 front and .145 rear and there is too much light for me, hence my reason for asking about preferences.minfound the combo left the front sight with too much (for me) space to move a out and still be in the notch. On the other hand my ria 1911 had a front sight so fat that there was literally no light at all around it in the notch (must be my arm length combined with sights) and i couldn't even see the target!

[jonzer77]

My ppq is set up with the .100 front and .145 rear and there is too much light for me, hence my reason for asking about preferences.minfound the combo left the front sight with too much (for me) space to move a out and still be in the notch. On the other hand my ria 1911 had a front sight so fat that there was literally no light at all around it in the notch (must be my arm length combined with sights) and i couldn't even see the target!

I didn't realize that the Dawson rear sight is available is different sizes. I want to pickup a .115 rear to go with the .100 FO front sight.


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[9mmepiphany]

For "close combat" which is just not a real reality, I have XS Big Dots on my Shield, but that is irrelevant to this topic as it's a whole different "philosophy of use".

I've never understood this either. The philosophy should be to align your sights on target and place your shot there.

The XS Big Dots offer no speed advantage over the .100" front blade mated to a .140" rear notch at closer distances and is at a serious disadvantage as engagement distances lengthen.

I'm running a Dawson Precision .100" fiber optic front blade mated to a 10-8 .140" rear notch in IDPA and USPSA matches and the only complaint I have is that the blade height I order was a little bit too short when the tops of the sights are aligned.

While light on either side of the front blade, in the rear notch, allows more precision in slow fire, it really should make a huge difference when shooting quickly...because you shouldn't be looking at the light to balance them consciously to begin with

[Thanatos2203]

My ppq is set up with the .100 front and .145 rear and there is too much light for me, hence my reason for asking about preferences.minfound the combo left the front sight with too much (for me) space to move a out and still be in the notch. On the other hand my ria 1911 had a front sight so fat that there was literally no light at all around it in the notch (must be my arm length combined with sights) and i couldn't even see the target!

I understand. I love the visibility with all the light coming around the front post, to me that makes aiming more precise and the FO makes target acquisition a breeze. No rear dots to distract me, but the recesses where they used to be can be used if I need them. Without them, I didn't notice the front post "swimming" in the back notch because I am not trying to align them all. Which dot style of the rear charger sight did you end up with?

[bountyhunter]

I never thought much about it. I installed replacement Dawson Precision sights on my PPQ. At the time there was only one choice for the rear sights ... a 0.145" rear notch "charger". And I chose a 0.100 " front sight width. I could find them quick, but man, that front sight swam in the rear notch. I measured my CA-75 SA's sights (competitions CZ Sights) and the width and notch were both 0.125". I ordered a replacement set of Dawsons with those dimensions. Actually I'm going to leave the 0.100 in the front and swap in the 0.125 width notch for the rear and on my backup 4" ppq, I'll stick the 0.125 front and 0.145 rear so as to not waste money on sights for the other gun.

I use that gun for competition and it's quick but innacurate. Now, yes, I'm blaming the sites until proven wrong.

Anyway... do you guys have a preference? For me, I want to hit steel plates at 15-30 yards, and I like to see nice groups on paper at the indoor range, so the "fast aquisition" seems to work against me as I can aquire the sites fast enough, but for me to align them takes too long.

For "close combat" which is just not a real reality, I have XS Big Dots on my Shield, but that is irrelevant to this topic as it's a whole different "philosophy of use".

Thoughts on blade and notch widths? What works for you?

I like fronts at about 0.100" and rears cut as required to put a light bar on either side of the front sight that is between 1/3 and 1/2 of the perceived visible width of the front sight as viewed.