fixed sight vs. adjustable on 1911

[koiloco]

Hi guys,

I am buying my first 1911 and have decided to go with Springfield.

I just want hear your input on fixed vs. adjustable sight. This will be a range gun.

Please give me your pros and cons.

Thx

[TMC]

With fixed sights you are pretty much stuck with the elevation given unless you want to file the front but then you can't go back. Fixed sights are more durable and snag less of you're carrying.

With adjustable sights you can adjust for different loads, bullets weights etc.

[brando]

The prevailing train of thought is:

fixed sights for tactical applications

adjustable sights for competition

[1911_Mitch]

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[elsolo]

On my competition pistol, the gun that gets the most rounds and has seent several sets of 'new and improved" sights:

Started with fixed three dot, they just weren't anything great to look at.
I replaced them with fixed adjustable three dot sights ith a front that was tice as tall for faster aquisition. Those were better for aquisition, and I opened up the width on the rear notch a little. They kept going out of adjustment however. I would have to draw a line on the screw/sight to make sure it hadn't loosened itself again. I ended up rigging it tight when locktite failed. The roll pin also liked to walk out on occasion.
I replaced those with "drop in" fixed sights, filed the front 0.035" to suit my loads, and broke two rear sights for unknown reasons. Third free replacement from same manf. has lasted 40K rounds. It never misadjusts itself or loses a roll pin. I have all the accuracy of my adjustables, with theoretically less chance of misadjustment or breakage at the cost of a slightly more difficult inital sighting in procedure.

[NwG]

Go fixed.... Broken a few sets of adjustables. They were never really worty it anyway.

[Mute]

Better to go with fixed sights and learn to hold for differing distances. If you have adjustables you might be inclined not to learn to do so, which won't help you much in a real world situation.

[tzahoy]

I've never had a problem with genuine Bomar adjustable sights or the Millet adjustables for revolvers. That said the manufacturers I've used have all stood behind their products when there was a problem. I've had my share of issues with other brands, now I won't spend my money on anything less. If you're a serious target shooter you'll need adjustable sights. If you're just going to the range to shoot targets and have fun fixed will be fine although you may go through a little more pain getting your gun to shoot where you want.

[1911whore]

range gun

I would go adjustable. Novak makes an adjustable that is very similar to their fixed sight and also with an adjustable you can play with alot of bullet weights and reload to see what your gun likes best and zero it to the distance you intend on shooting. I have never personally had an issue with adjustable but only use real bo mar sights on my 1911's but my Kimber wears its original sights and I will never change them. I have a Dawson adjustable on my glock 35 i use for IDPA and no issues. The biggest thing is to get sights you can see clearly and allow enough light on either side of the blade to get clear sight pictures. Too many companies put caca on top of their guns. I am NOT a fan of the Sights springfield uses ( novak I think) But love the ones on my Kimber. My buddy that owns the springer in question feels the same way too.The front blade is just way too wide for my liking.

[Coastey]

I use to get adjustable sights on all my 1911's, but once they were adjusted, I never changed them. Even when using different loads, I found that I didn't really have to change my sight adjustment. So my last few two 1911s have been fixed sighted. Just make sure they have a good sight picture.

[DrjonesUSA]

Anything that can move can break.

How often do you truly adjust the sights on a handgun?

Probably never for 99.9% of the people who own them.

If you are considering a gun that comes from the factory with them, like the TRP Operator, go for it.

If you are looking at putting them on a gun that currently has fixed sights, I would not do it unless you definitely NEED adjustables for competition.

[koiloco]

Thank you all for all the wonderful input.

I purchased the fixed sight version of Springfield 1911- 9mm this morning.

couple last questions:

1. Can I replace the stock FIXED sight with a better one?

2. Can I replace the stock FIXED sight with an ADJUSTABLE sight later on?

[Mute]

Yes to both questions.

[DrjonesUSA]

Thank you all for all the wonderful input.

I purchased the fixed sight version of Springfield 1911- 9mm this morning.

couple last questions:

1. Can I replace the stock FIXED sight with a better one?

2. Can I replace the stock FIXED sight with an ADJUSTABLE sight later on?

1) Yeah, you can have it replaced with pretty much anything you want, if you have the money.

2) See #1. Also note that many adjustable sights will require a pretty big cut to be made in your slide.

[Pokey]

I go with fixed. My take on adjustable is that if they can be adjusted they can come un-adjusted and Mr. Murphy dictates that this will happen at the worst possible time.