Iron Verus Modern Sights

jimmyj

jimmyj

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Fired for qualification today. This was my last chance as I have been recupping for shoulder complete joint surgery. Left arm still painful and very weak. All other shooter were young guys. They gave me the "Eye" as I hobbled to the firing line as I had to leave my cane and carry my shooting bag instead. With my physical limitations I was hoping just to be able to shoot a qualifying score. I had a lightweight with iron sights. All the young guys had weapons with all the gadgets ( red dots, flashlights, extended magazines, etc). This was a long and painful day. Unbelievable I shot a 100%. The other shooters targets looked like shotgun patterns. Their score were barely passing. Afterwards two insisted on carrying my stuff to my car. I guess this old guy still has some juice.
 
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For the most part, I've run lean and mean like that since forever. I used to like red dots, and they still have a place where you need speed and minute of moose is acceptable. but, that dot seems to get in the way past 20 yards or so. At least that's been my experience
 
You done good. The type of sights isn't as important as actually using them. And, the quality of the trigger press can make sight alignment/picture irrelevant. You can't widget your way to competence.

Fire superiority is for engagement of area targets by the military.

BTW, what was the course of fire like?
 
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jimmyj said:
Fired for qualification today. This was my last chance as I have been recupping for shoulder complete joint surgery. Left arm still painful and very weak. All other shooter were young guys. They gave me the "Eye" as I hobbled to the firing line as I had to leave my cane and carry my shooting bag instead. With my physical limitations I was hoping just to be able to shoot a qualifying score. I had a lightweight with iron sights. All the young guys had weapons with all the gadgets ( red dots, flashlights, extended magazines, etc). This was a long and painful day. Unbelievable I shot a 100%. The other shooters targets looked like shotgun patterns. Their score were barely passing. Afterwards two insisted on carrying my stuff to my car. I guess this old guy still has some juice.
Click to expand...
Way to go!!! I'd like to have been hiding in the bushes to see the expressions on their faces.

Congrats,

Al
 
IMHO these "new fangled " pistol sights-like a scope on a rifle. If you know how to shoot they can make you a better shot, if you don't know how to shoot they can give you a false sense of competence.
 
Less is more. No dingle danglies on my guns. Everyone should learn to shoot iron sights then, if they wish, add electronics. General Chuck Yeager told us, "Its the man, not the machine."

What really tickles me is the folks who want to buy the lightest, smallest handgun possible for carry, then add big old electronic sight to it and perhaps hang a flashlight on it too. The other thing that makes me shake my head is, "Its too heavvvvvvy!" My fully loaded 1911 weighs less than two pounds, I am in my mid 70s and I could probably still carry two pounds two ounces all day long. When I run out of ammo, I still have something to crack a skull; don't try that with you LCP! ;)
 
jimmyj said:
They gave me the "Eye" as I hobbled to the firing line as I had to leave my cane and carry my shooting bag instead. Unbelievable I shot a 100%. The other shooters targets looked like shotgun patterns. Their score were barely passing. Afterwards two insisted on carrying my stuff to my car. I guess this old guy still has some juice.
Click to expand...

Carrying your gear seems to me to be a well deserved sign of respect. (y)(y) up for you Jimmy.

Don
 
Different sights for different jobs. For the intended use of 2" guns sights are bling. They are built for anti personnel close range situations. The only time they are aimed is at ranges. That is why the adj sights on snubbies, they are used for bullseye shooting on the range.
 
My carry weapons all have iron sights, I do practice often with them and shoot pretty dam well. For me to switch to a red dot I would have to buy new weapons, dots, holsters etc. and start a new practice. I feel very comfortable with what I have and I'll just keep practicing. Shot placement is everything no matter what sights you're using.
 
We are raising a generation who have never used metallic sights and don't know how to.
 
rwsmith said:
But the eyes are making me lean toward optics.
Click to expand...
Same here. But some of my guns have iron sights and I have no way presently to put optical sights on them. But I found a company, Safety Glasses USA, that markets safety glasses in the form of reading glasses with the closeup lens making up the majority of each lens. I have a Model 17 that shot way high for me, even with the rear sight cranked down all the way. The other day I took my Model 17 to the indoor range above Harrisburg and set up a target at about 15 yards. The big reading lens really squared out the front sight, and that forced the muzzle down enough to start putting shots on the target.
 
Golddollar said:
Same here. But some of my guns have iron sights and I have no way presently to put optical sights on them. But I found a company, Safety Glasses USA, that markets safety glasses in the form of reading glasses with the closeup lens making up the majority of each lens. I have a Model 17 that shot way high for me, even with the rear sight cranked down all the way. The other day I took my Model 17 to the indoor range above Harrisburg and set up a target at about 15 yards. The big reading lens really squared out the front sight, and that forced the muzzle down enough to start putting shots on the target.
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm just starting to have difficulty and many of my guns aren't set up for optics either. I like the reading glasses idea and thanks for the Reading Glasses USA lead as well.
 
"The more you complicate the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain."
I've worked with guys that had their rifles and sidearms with so many "tacti-cool" items hanging off of them you didn't know where the gadgets ended and the weapon began.
To me it adds weight and complications to something that might be called upon to save my life or the lives of others and usually under less than labratory conditions.

Just the basics for me, thank you.
 
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