I own a 97 and 83 both in .41 Magnum and a 5.5" 97 in .22 Long Rifle. The 83 came with the standard ramp front and notch rear. The 97 came with the Express V rear and FO front. The .22 also came with the standard notch rear and ramp front.
I have 62 year old eyes that are still fairly sharp. I don't wear glasses except for some reading of fine print. Personal observations...
The front ramps on the FA are way to angled and turn gray instead of staying nice and black. As Ed suggested I had David Clements make one of his long range front sights that is just slightly narrower than the stock sight and has two holdover bars. It gives a much clearer sight picture and works great at long range. For an in the woods dark condition hunting sight however it is no better than the stock ramp.
Last season on a dark rainy afternoon just after sunset I missed a deer at about 40 yards because I held just a little too high because I could not get a clean sight picture of the top on the front sight in relation to the rear. For hunting in those conditions I will be using a FO from now on.
The FO and V combination on the 4.25" 97 has been changed out several times. The first thing to go was the V and in its place a standard notch. the the FO was changed out to a FA brass bead. That worked pretty well. Right now a ramp is on board that has been painted yellow. It also is working fairly well but the sight needs to be narrowed.
The .22s ramp has been replaced with a brass bead and has been shooting tighter groups than with the ramp.
FA replacement front sights are reasonably priced and easy to switch out...try some different sets and see what works best for you. I know for deer hunting in the woods it is going to be FO front for me...
Bob
97 rear V
97 front FO
Clements Custom Long Range front...
Clements Custom on a USFA Shooting Master .41 Special...