Smith & Wesson 686 proper sight picture?

[mls204]

What's the proper sight picture for this gun? I've been shooting it where I place the point of aim behind the front sight post as well as evening up the top of the front sight post with the top of the rear (including the red part) and seem to be doing okay but then I come across this image:



I decided to test it out using a boresighter and it seems that the red dot of the laser is right behind the red portion of the front sight post when I line it up like in the photo above. Is this the right way?

[EdCo]

I'd say you line up the top of the front sight with the top of the rear sight.

[esartori]

Yea I would say drop the front sight down a little bit. If it is shooting accurately like that (wiith the front ramp a little high) then adjust the rear sight

[greybeard]

The first pic looks like the sight picture, I like. Has to do more with the way I hold my head then the gun.

[redcliff]

I'd say you line up the top of the front sight with the top of the rear sight.

This is a correct sight picture.

Whether you use a 6 o'clock hold and place the target on top of the front sight, or a center hold where your front sight covers half the target, is shooter's preference if you have enough rear sight elevation adjustment at the distance you're shooting at.

As a general rule, bullseye shooters use 6 o'clock holds and combat shooters like a center hold, but again thats only a generalization.

The image posted by the OP is a good way to engage long range targets however without re-adjusting your rear sight elevation.

[Echidin]

Lining up the top post of the front and back sights is the correct way.

[MrExel17]

I'd say you line up the top of the front sight with the top of the rear sight.

[joemoia]

I'd say you line up the top of the front sight with the top of the rear sight.

I've shot my 686 for over 20 yrs using this sight picture. Usng the sight picture shown in the 1st post I'd be shooting high

[pyromensch]

What's the proper sight picture for this gun? I've been shooting it where I place the point of aim behind the front sight post as well as evening up the top of the front sight post with the top of the rear (including the red part) and seem to be doing okay but then I come across this image:



I decided to test it out using a boresighter and it seems that the red dot of the laser is right behind the red portion of the front sight post when I line it up like in the photo above. Is this the right way?

i have tried to different version of laser boresighters, and you cannot rely, completely on them. they give you a general idea, and are mostly used for optic sighted firearms

[Bongos]

Actually, I was at Angeles the other day and noted on my gun, when you line up, it's dead on at 35 yards, when I lefted the front sight to where the lower red line of the front sight to line up with the rear, I was hitting at 100 yards (3-4 out of six) I was just messing around, nice to know. he guy next to me shooting a USP was kinda amazed I was able to hit targets that far. Shooting 38 SPL +P 148gr WC, 6" barrel, single action shooting

[JTROKS]

Actually, I was at Angeles the other day and noted on my gun, when you line up, it's dead on at 35 yards, when I lefted the front sight to where the lower red line of the front sight to line up with the rear, I was hitting at 100 yards (3-4 out of six) I was just messing around, nice to know. he guy next to me shooting a USP was kinda amazed I was able to hit targets that far. Shooting 38 SPL +P 148gr WC, 6" barrel, single action shooting

That's probably why S&W made that front post that way. Calibrated for the caliber it is chambered in. Good to know.

[mls204]

Thanks for the tips everyone. It looks like the way I've been shooting it has been the right way.

[9mmepiphany]

Yes lining up the tops of the front and rear sights is the correct alignment for the sights. You should remember than the front insert...like a fiber optic front or a dot on the front sight...should not be used as an aiming point. It is intended to help draw your eye to the front blade...well, there is an exception...and you should be aligning the part of the blade above the insert/dot with the ears of the rear notch

I personally bisect my intended POI with the top of my front sight