I have never shot a fixed sight gun that hit where I aimed. It will shoot hight and to the left, or low and to the right, anywhere but where the front sight is pointing to. My M1911 shot 6" low at eleven yards! Now most gun magazines will say that the best thing to do is to adjust the fixed sights to fit your combat load.

On most self-loading pistols the rear sight can be wacked left or right, and the front sight can be lowered or replaced with one of the proper height. This will bring you on target. On revolvers the front sight can be bent or the barrel turned. The front sight can be filed down for elevation.

This will get you where you want to go, but I have always prefered the adjustable over the fixed sight. Once I get the zero I almost never change the sights (unless I change defensive ammo) but I still like to be able to change zero with only a screwdriver.

But this is not why I prefer the adjustable sight. On revolvers the fixed rear sight is hard to see and the front sight is low and hard to spot under stress. On many autos (like the M1911) the sights are small, hard to see, and too thin to line up quickly. The adjustables are larger, and easier to see.

Some of the newer autos (like the new Series 90 Colt M1911's) have these fixed hi-visibility sights. If I owned a gun like that I would probably drift the rear to suit my needs and get the proper front sight. But on all my wheelguns, my M1911's and most any other gun, I will choose the adjustable sight. I have never had an adjustable sight get loose or lose zero (even after a drop), and after the sights are dehorned, they are not much of a snag problem. What works for me might not work for you but I suggest that you try both to see what you like. This is one feature that you cannot take the word of a gunwriter.

There is one sight that I like that isn't technically adjustable. This is the Middlebrooks Pro-sight. The Pro-Sight looks fixed, but it can be adjusted for windage by drifting a rear and for elevations by adding a clever series of shims. I'm getting a set for my 1911 as soon as I can afford them.

I dropped my pistol while it was in its rug. The adjustable Bo-Mar was untouched, but the dovetailed front sight got knocked loose. That was a heck of a jar but the adjustable took the beating. Don't believe the hype about the fragility of the adjustable rear.