adjustable sights for pistol & Semi-autos has left me in a bit of confusion.

[SHOOTALL]

Seems some can't see the difference between a target gun and a defense gun. Any sight that will hang up on the draw is bad for a defense gun be it the front sight or the rear sight. This alone takes many adj sights out of the defense use. Also drawing a fine bead in a combat situation might be hard to do under pressure better to have bold sights that you can pick up , better to go for center mass than shirt button when the target shoots back. If legal where you shoot dress a cardbord humanoid target in a shirt and then shoot it. You learn to go to center mass with out aiming points. A prtined shirt is a good one to use.

[bilmac]

Twenty years qualifying twice a year for law enforcement and many years shooting cowboy matches and I never had an adjustable sight "hang up". Having an adjustable sight does not prevent me from shooting center of mass. But if I have a shot at an elbow sticking out from behind a tree 20 yds away, having a fixed sight gun that shoots 4" low at 25 yards will make it more difficult to get a hit.

The only reason to have fixed sights is because they are more rugged. I have never had a problem with an adjustable. If I would have I think that I would have noticed it immediately and taken steps to fix.

[SHOOTALL]

If you have shot your gun enough shooting at an elbow should not be hard . If your fixed sighted gun shoots low you should fix it before going into a fight. Turn the bbl or file or add to a sight post if need be.
Most fixed sighted guns for defense purpose are sighted a wee bit lod ao in the heat of battle when most look over the rear sight they will still hit the target. Couple that with a center of mass shot and things work. If you have time to shoot a button then did you really need to shoot to kill ? Remember we shoot to stop when no other option exist.

[cwlongshot]

Something I think people are missing is that "fixed" sites are generally still adjustable to a degree. (Semi autos) Either by swapping for taller or shorter or filing them down I the case of fronts or drifting with a brass drift. BUT the result is that they will allow for bullets to be fired at that POA. NOT using Kentucky windage! Personally I would NOT carry a gun that did not print where the sites aligned.
For all guns, but especailly on revolvers with totally fixrd sites, adjustment can be done with loadings, barrel turning (Clocking) or barrel bending. YES bending!!! Years ago a armourer would "adjust" fixed sites revolvers. By bending barrels ever so slightly. Reloaders can adjust velocitys and bullet weights to get sited. Still longer ago, it was common place for gunsmiths to remove a barrel and file back the shoulder (Or shim it) to allow the barrel to turn a bit moving POI.

Generally speaking adjustables (Either screws or knobs to change POI) have no place on a defensive handgun.  YES generally speaking they are easier to see, and allow for better accuracy.  BUT also generally speaking they are not as durable. Because they are larger the "snag" on holsters and clothing.

In my book sites on a combat or carry handgun must be durable first and formost. Should be of sufficient size to be quickly aligned. So called nite sites have there proponents. I do like a nite front site. But take or Leave one in the rear.

CW

[williamlayton]

Years ago old man Colt gave me a Dragoon---I am only kidding but it does seem that long ago when I had a fixed sight on a pistol.
I learned the sight. Learned how to shoot it to its aim. I really think that is what most of us did with those old small. Fixed sigts on Colts and others. I was never a marksman, but it wern't the sights fault.
I fot a bunch of adjustable sights now and I can miss pretty go with them also.
Now I do like adjustable---but at 10/15 yards--in a pinch--I can hit center mass the fixed sights.
Blessings

[StrawHat]

...Ask an experienced LEO who has survived a gun fight if he remembers even seeing his sites during the gun fight...

Wasn't it Frank Hamer who when asked about his use of the front sight who said something like "...the only time I did not use the front sight was when it tangled up in the guys clothes..."
 
I always see the front sight.
 
As for adjustable versus fixed.  I have and use both.  Once I settle on a load, the sights are regulated to that load ad then never intentionally changed.

[temmi]

I have initially purchased or installed Adjustable Sights for every HG I own.
 
That only leaves my J frames and XD
 
The Jframes cause I can’t and the XD cause I just don’t shoot it enough.
 
 
Snake
 

[SHOOTALL]

there are companies that install adj sights on J frames and S&W made some that way also so if ya want one its aval.
 
 
hey if your fixed sights break in a bad situation just fix bayonets and charge 

[mcwoodduck]

I think there are three catagories of sights.
Fixed -
Semi Fixed
and adjustable-
The fixed are a rudamentry sights from a groove to a groove and post. 
Semi Fixed are the larger fixed sights that can be adjusted for windage.  Like most Novak type sights where the rear sight is in a dove tail.  The sights can be drifted to adjust yaw and sight heights can be changed to adjust pitch.  Some are contrasting sights like night sights.
Finally True adjustable sights can be changed with a tool, screw driver, wrench, or coin. and a fixed turn moves the projectile a regimented amount for both pitch and yaw.  For a more precise group.
There are pluses and minus to each type.
The Fixed sights you have to learn to shoot the gun.  The small sights are almost snag free and for short range personal protection.  The Disadvantages are the small sights, the sights are fixed for a certain type of ammo and changing ammo designs or bullet weights moves the bullet.
Semi Fixed sights - everything the fixed sights have but can be changed ot account for ammo changes or shooting styles or bad habbits.  The larger sights usually have a contrast to make finding the sights, at least the front sight quickly.
Fully adjustable sights- are large and can hang up if needed quickly.  Sights are large and can be aligned quickly and easily. 
Adjustable sights can mask a shooting deficiency buy changing your sight picture to adjust for poor shooting.  and screws can back out or change changing your point of aim.  Adjustable sights tend to be smaller and smaller groups can be had.
A plus is the sights can be changed to adjust for weights and speeds of bullets.
For personal protection I like the semi adjustable sights.  Strong, easy to see, easy to change if needed for bullet changes.
There are positives and negitives to each design.
 

[williamlayton]

I have favored Heinie Slant Pros for a number of years.
Blessings
 

[bilmac]

I can see tiny or no sights on a shooter you are going to carry in your pocket.

But take a look at the front sight on a Ruger or S&W and tell me how  they are going to "hang up" in a holster.  It has never happened to me or anyone else I know in all the qualification, practice, and competative shooting I've been involved in. I've never had one break or loose their adjustment either. The front is bigger and easy to see unlike the fronts on many guns which do not adjust, some of them are actually the same color as stainless steel barrels.

I've never fired my gun in combat, but in all the qualifications and cowboy shooting if I shoot very very fast without even trying to get a glimpse of the sights my groups are one size. If I take a split second longer and get what instructors call a flash picture of my sights the group is smaller.

Having good sights does not preclude me from shooting very very fast. They do not slow my draw.