XS sightsystems 24/7 Set

[subret]

I had a set of 24/7 std dot tritium express put on my G19. I noticed the front sight seems slighted canted. Anyone experienced this?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/subret/DSCF0023.jpg

[RayB]

This is poor workmanship on the part of the installer, plain and simple.

Your first, best bet, is to take it back to the installer, and ask that he do it right! I have installed one of these, and it CAN be done right!

It will be necessary to realign the rear sight, once he fixes the front "bead". Thing is, the Loctite should set several hours before firing the gun.

When you buy something like this, always ask for the old sights, installation instructions, packaging for the new sights, and OEM provided adjustment & installation tools. This is all your stuff--you paid for every bit of it! Read the installation instructions yourself, even if you let someone else install the gizmo. Doing this will help you understand your gun and accessories better.

--Ray

[subret]

Thanks Rayb,
I had these put on my G23 with no problems and thought it strange when I was told that was the way the front sight insert was aligned. I did get all parts and documents back and will be correcting the problem. Once again, thanks.

[greg6099]

Question. Has the rear sight started to get a coating of rust on it? Mine did so I am just wondering if this is a common problem with XS sights?

Thanx

[subret]

It has only been a week, but I haven't noticed any rust. I also adjusted the front sight and now have no canted angle. I hate it when people blow smoke up my butt.

[RayB]

"I hate it when people blow smoke up my butt."


No kidding! It leaves only two possibilities: 1) They lied! :( 2) They're incompetent! ;g

I've no time for either! ;Q

Over the past five years I've observed some of the stupidest behavior from would be professionals, and they not only get away with it--they're getting rich! ;P

--Ray

[RayB]

"Question. Has the rear sight started to get a coating of rust on it?"


Something's wrong, and since the product (other than the tritium) has a lifetime warranty, you are likely entitled to a new sight.

Here's their web sight: http://xssights.com/store/handgun.html

--Ray

[greg6099]

emailed XS about a couple of issues I had with their product.

Received a few cursory responses and have since been ignored.

I guess that's what happens when the company doesn't back their product in the marketplace - dissapointing to say the least.

[Big Dot Dude]

Sir,
Since you posted on this forum I'll address it here.
Our sights are made of blued steel and blued steel rusts.
Just like most firearms it needs a light coat of oil to keep it from rusting. Depending on your mode of carry and the enviornment you live in, the amount of protection required varies.
We're somewhat spoiled due to Glock's tennifer coating.
That being said, we'll gladly replace your rear sight. I just can't do it directly because of import and export regulations.
We have a distributor in Australia, Toys for Big Boys.
Alec Wilson is the gentlemen you want to speak to.
Alec's # is 011-61-8-8648-4672.
His email is tfbb@toysforbigboys.cam.au
If for any reason Alec can't help you,
my # is 888-744-4880.
My email is dbiggers@xssights.com

Take care,
Dave Biggers
V.P. Sales & Marketing

[Braden]

Our sights are made of blued steel and blued steel rusts.
Just like most firearms it needs a light coat of oil to keep it from rusting. Depending on your mode of carry and the enviornment you live in, the amount of protection required varies.

Well...that pretty much scratches XS off my list of potential night sights (see my thread "Help Me Pick My Night Sights, Please"). The last thing I want is a rusting sight (or being forced to talk to someone in Australia to get said sight replaced).

[Big Dot Dude]

As you wish.
Did you notice the gentleman lives in Australia?

[Braden]

No, I didn't notice that. In that case, scratch the comment about calling Australia for a replacement.

I still don't like the idea of a rusting sight though. Is this a common thing with XS sights?

[Big Dot Dude]

Not really.
In 6+ years I've only heard of it once or twice.
This may not be the case in this example, but some people can not even touch a gun without it trying to rust. Something about Skin acidity.
I'm not making any excuses and we'll take care of it whatever it is.
I only responded on the forum instead of by phone or email because it was posted on this forum.
Take care.

[RayB]

AO Sight Systems BIG DOT Pro Express Night Sights seem to be identical to your XS. Even the 24/7 thingy, the photos and the graphics, all seem to be the same....

http://xssights.com/store/handgun.html

http://www.gunaccessories.com/AOSights/index.asp

Is this the same product marketed under two names for merchandising purposes? (which is cool, as I've repped for a manufacturer that does this)

By the bye, the quality of my XS Big Dot sights impressed me. I've had no issue with rust.

I did have to reset my front bead, as it came loose (I suspect the smithy had skin oil on his fingers), but this was fairly easy to do with the OEM enclosed tools, and it has since stayed put.

On my last visit to the range, I had them scoot the rear sight over about 1/32 of an inch. The result--bull's-eyes again and again!

Quick Review:

While these are not bull's-eye sights, such shooting is possible with them. I suspect it may be easier with the standard dot.

As advertised, they are very fast to acquire, and with a little practice, you can empty a clip in the central mass of the target at 25 feet, using primarily the front sight. This makes them an excellent choice for a primarily self-defense handgun.

The sights are well made and very handsome on Judy's new OD G19. The white graphics are plastic inserts, rather than being just painted on.

The tritium inserts aren't nearly as bright as the Meps, but dark-adapted eyes can easily and quickly pick up the sight picture.

It's a little strange, alternating at the range with my G21's 3-dot Meprolights, but one gets the hang of it fairly quickly.

If I had one criticism, it would be that the white insert on the rear sight be a little more prominent, as it's hard to see in our range's lighting.

Overall, I'd give the product a thumbs up! ;)

--Ray

[Big Dot Dude]

Thanks Ray.
The sights are the same.
I've been dragging my feet and not furnishing them with the latest logo's.
We were AO until another company claimed that the letters "A" & "O" were theirs exclusively and our lawyers said we might win but it would cost us $200K to find out.
I'm somewhat surprised to hear about the brightness difference (we get our tritium from Trijicon), I'll have to check that out.
The rear sight is a balancing act. Too thin a window and you'd see the white but not the tritium. Too wide and the tritium shows but the white disappears.
Take care,
Dave

[RayB]

"...our lawyers said we might win but it would cost us $200K to find out."

For $200K I could stay happily ignorant! ;f

Besides, XS rolls off the tongue just fine! :)

With regard to the tritium, I'm comparing them to Glock's OEM Meprolights.

In reference to the rear sight, it could be my half century old eyes, too! ;g

--Ray

[Apprentice]

These are great sights for their purpose and by far my favorite tritium setup. My set on a G19 doesn't show any rust and I could hardly care if it ever does or not. A little rust ain't nothin. I don't much care how purdy my defense guns are anyway. I like them with some hard use character.

[greg6099]

Absolutely no argument about how fast these sights are to acquire in a high stress situation. First used them at Gunsite and bowled over by the speed at which my worn-out eyeballs could 'almost' focus on the front sight. (I don't wear reading glasses into a high stress situation and therefore need to train with the sights fitted to my weapon...)


Have followed the advice of Big Dot Dude and matters are progressing nicely in sunny Australia.

The rust on the rear sight is still of concern but again we are spoilt by the finish on the Glock and perhaps I need to be more vigilant with maintenance?

[Braden]

I have another question about the XS sights.

I think everyone agrees that the sights are ideal for high stress situations. They are not designed for long distance accuracy.

Would the standard dot (in lieu of the big dot) be better for long distance accuracy...and would you still be able to pick the standard dot up quickly in a high stress situation??

Just looking at the pictures on the website I think I'd be more interested in the standard dot than the big dot:

http://www.xssights.com/store/pix/catalog/24-7/247-small-hand-bd-fr.jpg http://www.xssights.com/store/pix/catalog/24-7/247-small-hand-sd-fr.jpg

Regarding the comment that "a little rust aint' nothing", these sights are some of the most expensive that I have seen. If I'm going to pay $120 for a set of night sights then I expect them not to rust. That being said, it sounds like it is sort of a rare thing for them to rust so I'm not too concerned about it. I generally consider rust to be a bad thing on a handgun...even if it's just a little bit.

[Big Dot Dude]

Good question.
We feel the Big Dot is the ultimate sight for self defense.
Even if you are focusing on the threat, you can still reference the sights and know where your round is going.
(I use Big dots on my carry guns)

The Standard dot is obviously a smaller sight.
You should be able to make more precise shots at distance with a standard dot, using front sight focus.
(I use standard dots on my competition guns)

The difference is all in where you are looking.
When shooting a match or at targets, I live on the front sight.
When facing an adversary, I have to see what they are doing and where their hands are, using a hard target focus.

As to rust, we're not fans of it either. I'm glad to say rusting is not a very common problem with our sights.
Take care,
Dave

[Palouse]

How easy are these things for the average but handy user to install?

[five-0]

Originally posted by Palouse
How easy are these things for the average but handy user to install?

Extremely. The hardest thing you'll have to do is remove your current rear sight (and that's no biggie with a hammer and punch). All tools needed for installation are included with XS Sights.
Best

[Palouse]

Originally posted by five-0
The hardest thing you'll have to do is remove your current rear sight...

And I thought the hardest part would be the front sight.

Thanks much for the info.

Go Vols!

[rpmws]

Hi Guys. I just picked up a GL-0001S-5 (XS Big Dot set) for about $100 bucks on eBay. Installed in 10 minutes really easy on my G17. The first thing I noticed is how dim they are. I mean even in a completely dark room and after my eyes have adjusted they just seem dim to me. Maybe I expected more with the images on the web site and the booklet that came with the kit. I can clearly tell they are there in the complete blackness but in moon light I can see the white more than the green. Did I get a bum set? Do I need to jump up and down and spin on my head to get these suckers to show up or what? Other than that ..I love them for close up quick shots in the daylight. I just expected a little more I guess. Something I noticed and maybe this is normal packaging. The plastic display container they came in was stapled at the top. I can't help but wonder if they were a return and I got screwed over maybe. Maybe I am just going blind. Your thoughts? great forum by the way!!! I have been reading for a year or two on here ..but this is my first post. Thanks in advance!!

[Palouse]

I've been given to understand that tritium inserts only have a ten year or so shelf life. I've seen the same sights on eBay but have been reluctant to bid, not knowing how old they were.

Then again, I've never seen XS sights, take the above with a grain of salt.

[rpmws]

here is what I did and not sure yet if I got the shaft.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7221534548

I am just not that used to night sights. I remember about a year ago looking at a guys gun at a range and I could tell even in the light they were glowing. When I held my hand over to block the light they looked basically like lights clearly visable. These I can see ..they do glow but with any light what so ever you are using the white to see how to aim.

[RayB]

The XS Big Dots we installed in January also had a staple through the packaging, and I wondered the same thing!

As for the tritium night markers, they are dim compared to my Meprolights, which clearly glow in dim light. Still, my dark-adapted eyes can easily align the XS sights in a dark room.

Our XS sights are mounted on a G19, which is also equipped with a SureFire X200B and a LaserMax.

The sights are great for fast acquisition!

--Ray

[G21-Shrew]

Not to ditract too far from the post, but I am wondering about the front mount. I am looking at these for maybe installing on my Springfield Champion and it has a staked front sight, are either the XS Big dot or even the smaller version avaliable in this configuration?