JPaul:

Spring for the upgrade, and be sure to specify a bead size that you're comfortable with. My hunting partner bought a Krieghoff in .500/.416 several years ago, a standard model with what he was assured were the standard sights. After a trip to the range with it, he was so disgusted that he sent it to me to try.

The problem was the sights. The front bead was the largest I've ever seen on a rifle. OK for 25 yards, too coarse for any precision at 50, and every shot at 100 was a Hail Mary. I've seen smaller beads on new Krieghoffs since then, so they may not be fitting this one as standard any more. I hope not.

I also found the standing vertical rear bar to be a problem. The top surface of the V was filed flat which caused enough glare to fuzz out half of the Idaho baking potato bead, making it difficult to hold elevation. Small wonder that accuracy was poor. He sent it back for the sight upgrade (with a new bead a third the size of the original) and the rifle turned out to be superbly accurate.

The value in the upgraded sights is a much improved standing rear bar and a folding moon bead (and the folding leaves LOOK neat don't they?). The rear bar is of better shape and slopes forward as it should. My only complaint is that the center wire is of gold rather than platinum. For my eyes platinum shows up better in low light, especially with a moon bead. Way better than the standard rear sight though. I have moon beads on a couple of my English doubles and have always found them quite useful, especially when hunting in thick stuff in low light. Were I ordering a Krieghoff, I'd spend the money for the upgrade.
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