340PD XS Big Dot ---

[calviroman]

I'm installing a XS Big Dot on my S&W 340PD (part # RV-001N-3). As you can see in the pic below -- the tenon on the XS sight is way way shorter in length than the factory HI-VIZ sight and there is a large amount of open gutter left.

Do I have the right sight? XS's websight shows RV-001N-3 as the sole pinned J-Frame sight...however Brownells shows it as 102046P2053?

The revolver looks pretty bad with such a large exposed section of gutter.

I emailed XS tech support and am awaiting an answer. If your thinking about getting XS's for your airlight you may want to wait till we get this resolved.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad51/calviroman/DSCN2807.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad51/calviroman/DSCN2804.jpg

[skyugo]

where as your point of aim/impact with the stock sight?

[calviroman]

With the stock HI-VIZ sight the POI was pretty much right on with 130gr WWB 38 Special. I have no experience with the XS other than to say it is taller and will obviously have to put the dot slightly low on the target for "precision" work.

That said -- nearly all of my range time (not really on a range but out in the desert) with this gun is extreme up close (contact-3 yards) and from a retention position. I can reach out with it if needed using the LG-405 grip...but realistically its a waltzing distance belly gun for dumping .357 DPX fast & furious.

[El Cid]

You appear to have the correct XS sight. Just looked at my 340 that came with one from the factory. It begins in the same spot above the number 7. Your gutter is longer than the shelf holding my XS front sight.

[calviroman]

So it appears that the Airlights have a (much) longer gutter than the M&P340 and the Airweights with pinned sights. I suppose that with the right equipment I could make up something to securely fill in the gutter gap...but not crazy about that on a revolver this expensive. If it was a $350 340 Airweight it'd be a different story.

[skyugo]

With the stock HI-VIZ sight the POI was pretty much right on with 130gr WWB 38 Special. I have no experience with the XS other than to say it is taller and will obviously have to put the dot slightly low on the target for "precision" work.

That said -- nearly all of my range time (not really on a range but out in the desert) with this gun is extreme up close (contact-3 yards) and from a retention position. I can reach out with it if needed using the LG-405 grip...but realistically its a waltzing distance belly gun for dumping .357 DPX fast & furious.

my friend has a ruger LCR with an XS on it, the sight picture places the dot rather high in the notch as i recall. my first 5 rounds were very low until i figured out how i was supposed to sight it up.

experiment with it. I had a set of XS sights on my g26, and they are up for sale now...

[calviroman]

Update: XS tech support says this is the one and only pinned j-frame sight and that I would have to live with it :(

[Alaskapopo]

With the stock HI-VIZ sight the POI was pretty much right on with 130gr WWB 38 Special. I have no experience with the XS other than to say it is taller and will obviously have to put the dot slightly low on the target for "precision" work.

That said -- nearly all of my range time (not really on a range but out in the desert) with this gun is extreme up close (contact-3 yards) and from a retention position. I can reach out with it if needed using the LG-405 grip...but realistically its a waltzing distance belly gun for dumping .357 DPX fast & furious.

You only practice inside of 3 yards. Sounds like you have a huge hole in your training schedule. I shoot my 340 all the way out to 25 yards. You can't just count on the pistol only being needed at bad breath distance.
Pat

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Agreed. Skills you build shooting it at 25 yards will b useful at all distances.


I am going to put mine on my old 342 this weekend. Any tips on how to drill the hole?

[calviroman]

Thank you for the training tips gents. I'll start incorporating more intermediate range shooting into my routine.

I went ahead and installed the sight. The install was easy using just a regular hand drill and a steady hand. Not very happy with the extra visible gutter space but it does not appear I have any other/better night sight options for this application

[usmcvet]

Agreed. Skills you build shooting it at 25 yards will b useful at all distances.


I am going to put mine on my old 342 this weekend. Any tips on how to drill the hole?

When I putnmine on I drilled 1/2 way through from one side and then started from the other side and drilled the other half through. I think that is what the directions said to do. It worked well.

[usmcvet]

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/61811640-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/DBFA3666-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/9A141971-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/BFA12519-orig.jpg

[QuarterBoreGunner]

calviroman - how difficult was it drilling the tenon on that XS? I have the Big Dot sitting in the package that I plan on installing on a 386 "pre-nightguard" and hadn't anticipated the tenon being blank when I ordered it.

[usmcvet]

Yeah I was surprised too. I used my cordless drill and did it on the coffee table. It was easy and I have a bit of Tim the Tool Man in me. :D

[calviroman]

It was very easy. Just be sure you're drilling straight and use the correct size drill bit. I used a 1/16" and a hand drill and it worked out just fine. I also put a drop of locktight blue in the sight channel.