Question on how guns are sighted in when sent out for sight installation - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Reeek · 10-02-2007, 11:21 AM

I know that sighting in a handgun, especially with fixed sights is not as delicate as a scoped rifle so I don't have any pipe dreams here but I am curious about what to expect when having sights installed on a handgun when you:

1. Send in the slide only

2. Send in the slide with barrel and guide rod to hold the barrel in place

3. Send in the entire weapon.

I know the answers already, I think.

For 1. the sights would be installed by centering the sights to the barrel bushing or firing pin/striker or lining the sights up to a hash mark or other type of indicator, right? How accurate is this method?

For 2. the same thing as 1. could be done but if the barrel is included could that imply LASER bore sighting could be done? How accurate is LASER bore sighting for handgun purposes?

For 3. it could be either 1. or 2. or have the gun actually taken to a range for sight adjustments.

Is 1.typically sufficient? I guess my real concern has to do with the difficulty of adjusting fixed sights, especially on the XD's. I would really prefer not to have to mess with the accuracy several times trying to get it right after I sent it in for sight installation if possible.

What are your experiences with this?

**jnclement** · 10-02-2007, 02:56 PM

A good gunsmith uses a caliper, and witness marks, and puts the new sights in the same place as the old sights. About as difficult for a real gunsmith as.............you changing a flat tire.

Reeek · 10-02-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnclement

A good gunsmith uses a caliper, and witness marks, and puts the new sights in the same place as the old sights. About as difficult for a real gunsmith as.............you changing a flat tire.

Thanks for the reply - so if I think a gun shoots a little left with the existing sights I guesss I inform the gunsmith when I send it then.

My SC is a tad to the left I think. When I look at the rear sight it seems to me sitting closer to the left hash mark in the dovetail and doesn't seem to be exactly centered with the ready to fire indicator either. Not much but I am pretty sure I see it.

I'm sending it to Springer shortly. I'll let him know what I think about it then.

I know the trigger is a tad crisper and maybe a bit ligheter on the CZ P-01 but when I shoot the P-01 right after the XD9SC my groups are always way more centered on the target. I'm pretty certain it's an alignment matter on the SC based on what I can visually see.

I fired 300 rounds yesterday between all three of my guns and I experimented by aiming 2-3 inches to the right on the SC and was more centered on the target. I hit point of aim with the CZ each time. And this was at 15 yards (stepped off) . Not too far.

ichy_trigger · 10-02-2007, 05:37 PM

Yup, normaly sights are centered in the slide and as long as the barrel is properly fitted, it should shoot straight.

**mvician** · 10-02-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

Yup, normaly sights are centered in the slide and as long as the barrel is properly fitted, it should shoot straight.

and if it doesn't, it is the shooter

bountyhunter · 10-03-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reeek

For 2. the same thing as 1. could be done but if the barrel is included could that imply LASER bore sighting could be done? How accurate is LASER bore sighting for handgun purposes?

Pretty accurate for left-right alignment, not so much for up-down. The point of impact (POI) is influenced by the mass of the bullet and powder load which determine recoil, how fast the muzzle rises as the round is leaving the tube, and the rate at which it accelerates in the tube.

Shooter's strength of grip also influences muzzle rise rate.

Add it all up: best for you to shoot many groups and adjust the sights to you and your ammo.

mrwildroot · 10-03-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bountyhunter

Pretty accurate for left-right alignment, not so much for up-down. The point of impact (POI) is influenced by the mass of the bullet and powder load which determine recoil, how fast the muzzle rises as the round is leaving the tube, and the rate at which it accelerates in the tube.

Shooter's strength of grip also influences muzzle rise rate.

Add it all up: best for you to shoot many groups and adjust the sights to you and your ammo.

Good on your formulas, except for the distance to target..??
mw

**jnclement** · 10-04-2007, 07:59 AM

I'd make sure it wasn't me before I told him it shoots to the left. And I'd probably move it and get it on before I sent it in if it was the gun.

10-02-2007, 11:21 AM	#1
Reeek XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,781	Question on how guns are sighted in when sent out for sight installation I know that sighting in a handgun, especially with fixed sights is not as delicate as a scoped rifle so I don't have any pipe dreams here but I am curious about what to expect when having sights installed on a handgun when you: 1. Send in the slide only 2. Send in the slide with barrel and guide rod to hold the barrel in place 3. Send in the entire weapon. I know the answers already, I think. For 1. the sights would be installed by centering the sights to the barrel bushing or firing pin/striker or lining the sights up to a hash mark or other type of indicator, right? How accurate is this method? For 2. the same thing as 1. could be done but if the barrel is included could that imply LASER bore sighting could be done? How accurate is LASER bore sighting for handgun purposes? For 3. it could be either 1. or 2. or have the gun actually taken to a range for sight adjustments. Is 1.typically sufficient? I guess my real concern has to do with the difficulty of adjusting fixed sights, especially on the XD's. I would really prefer not to have to mess with the accuracy several times trying to get it right after I sent it in for sight installation if possible. What are your experiences with this? __________________ U.S Navy Veteran - CTT - Naval Security Group Guns: XD9SC with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights CZ P-01 with Meprolights - green/green EAA Witness (Tangfolio) Elite Match .45 Taurus PT1911 with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights Kel-Tec P3AT Fulton Armory FAR-15 Predator, 24" SS 1x12 Barrel w/Mueller TAC II Savage 93R17 BVSS .17 HMR Remington 870 18" 6+1 w/Choate Mark 6 Last edited by Reeek; 10-02-2007 at 11:22 AM. Reason: Spelleeeen

10-02-2007, 02:56 PM	#2
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,498	A good gunsmith uses a caliper, and witness marks, and puts the new sights in the same place as the old sights. About as difficult for a real gunsmith as.............you changing a flat tire. __________________ Contrary to what sells magazines, not all of us are, or want to be SpecOps, SEAL, Recon, Delta, CQB, Ninja, firearm-knife-tactical-death-touch instructors.

10-02-2007, 05:37 PM	#4
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	Yup, normaly sights are centered in the slide and as long as the barrel is properly fitted, it should shoot straight. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

10-04-2007, 07:59 AM	#8
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,498	I'd make sure it wasn't me before I told him it shoots to the left. And I'd probably move it and get it on before I sent it in if it was the gun. __________________ Contrary to what sells magazines, not all of us are, or want to be SpecOps, SEAL, Recon, Delta, CQB, Ninja, firearm-knife-tactical-death-touch instructors.

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