In an effort to prevent things from being lost to history, I wanted to address an invention of Jim Cirillo, NYPD. For those who don’t know about Jim and his record in the Stakeout Unit, there are a range of resources, including a magnificent book that really explains -- Jim Cirillo’s Tales of the Stakeout Squad by Paul Kirchner.

Above, the Cirillo Visible Sights shown from the side/rear. Below, looking through Jim’s sights.

As to his sights, seen before here, Jim’s idea of combat handgun sights involved a front sight in the shape of a ball and the rear sight appearing as a crescent – or open-top circle. Jim demonstrated a three-shot three-inch group from fifty yards with a GLOCK 20 wearing his sights. I still have the image. He noted that Jim Cirillo, Jr. found the sights to shoot high for him. After I got these, a prototype set that were “blems,” Mike Rafferty installed them on a Smithsonian-class elderly GLOCK 19 for me.

I’d not shot it much, just enough to report to Jim that the strike was high for me too. He passed not long after.

I got the elderly G19 out recently and elected to see if precision was possible. I’m told that express sights aren’t meant for precise shooting. My take is that sights are sights. They tell me where the muzzle is directed at a moment in time.

A round top bead is said to be less precise than a squared post. This has to do with human vision. Not surprisingly, the handgunners of old “pointed” those guns and accepted as success when a percentage of rounds fired hit somewhere on a large target.

Handguns aren’t meant for precise shooting, you know.

Even James Yeager noted that XS Sights (the express kind) “aren’t target sights, they’re fighting sights.” While that’s true, he’d then demonstrate hits on steel targets out to around 100 yards with a GLOCK 19 so configured.

No precision there, right?

I went forth with some old-stock Cor-Bon Performance Match 147gr. FMJ, understanding that the slower, heavier projectile would have more time in the bore post-ignition, pre-exit than faster, lighter rounds and would therefore strike higher on the target.

Let’s kick ‘em when they’re down.

The elderly G19 with old stock Cor-Bon 147gr Performance Match ammo used for the exercise. Below, the 15-yard zero check group is to the left, with the 7-yard group on the right. As one is close to the target, the aim/impact tends to converge.

For zero-check, I shot at fifteen yards, two-hands unsupported on a circle target. Covering the three-inch center circle with the front “ball” sight, I shot five rounds. The 1 ¾ ” group was two inches above the aiming point and “GLOCK-left” by 1 ½”. At seven yards on the same target, I printed ½” high.

I posted a B-8 repair center, stood off at 25 yards and shot five-rounds one-handed, bullseye style. The first string was high – one hit clipped the top of the repair center page. This left two “6” ring hits, 1 high 7-ring and one low 7-ring hit, and a low 9. That gives 35/50 – a miserable score, but these are fighting sights, not target sights.

When scoring that string, I made a mark at 4 o’clock “in the white” of the target. That had me holding two-inches low and 3 ½” to the right (for the GLOCK-left tendency). I shot 1-X, 3- 9s and one 8, for a 45/50.

No precision there either.

Before you note that it’s far from a perfect precision score, I’d offer this explanation. The gun was made in the 1980s, aside from the sights, it has all factory standard parts, and it’s just not a bullseye gun. Add that to the fact that I’m not much of a bullseye shooter. In fact, that 45/50 is just above my normal 25-yard score on a B-8.

I think the target speaks for itself.

I also noted that the old gun needs a recoil spring. Strange, as it’s not been fired that much since I got it and the GLOCK Armorer School instructor did the “updates,” of which it had none before I got it.

Jim’s sights are not being made and aren’t available anywhere. I’d think I could accomplish about the same with the XS express-style sights, after I found my hold.

Once you find the visual component of the firing solution, it’s largely grip and trigger.

As proof of concept, I offer this target shot right after the Cirillo GLOCK –this from a “Davidson’s Exclusive” Ruger GP100-22 with a four-inch barrel, fired on a 25-yard B8, one handed, “bullseye style.”

For two strings, a score of 42/50 each, totaling 84/100 using Remington Golden Bullet.

And for me that’s a good day.

- - Rich Grassi