Regular or Target sights?

[Smoothbore]

I am wondering if target sights are worth the extra money over
standard 3 dot sights?

If you are shooting freehand, how do you know if the error is you or the windage is off?

I am thinking for a first handgun, standard, non-adjustable sights would be ok.

Any thoughts?

SB

 

[Can-down]

If you are consistently hitting the same area and it's not the area you are aiming at then adjusting the sights would be worthwhile.
I would prefer adjustable myself but I don't plan on using handguns for combat or self defense.

 

[skeetgunner]

If you are shooting freehand, how do you know if the error is you or the windage is off?

You don't, so you shoot a particular load from the bench, and then regulate the sites accordingly. If the load is on from the bench and off from freehand, its you.

I am thinking for a first handgun, standard, non-adjustable sights would be ok.

Any thoughts?

SB

Good choice, but it depends on what you are going to shoot, and also on how often you are shooting different loads.

For example, compare the target bull on a Bullseye target with the A-zone on an IPSC target. The A-zone is comparatively huge, so you can be "off" your point of aim and still score full points. Bullseye target is smaller, and you might want the more granular adjustment capability of target sites.

Also, if you are changing loads frequently, adjustable sights may be more convenient to regulate.

If you hand load and will shoot the same load regularly, you'd only need to regulate the fixed sites once.

 

[maurice]

I find that adjustable or target sights are getting better, lower profile would be better, as well as sights that are snag free. Make sure your front sight is very visible/ easy to pick up.