My thoughts on sites

[firecracker6]

I've noticed that in the past, when I've done force on force training I tended to not use my sights much. This has been true w/ both m16 and beretta when the target has been at close range; The closer the target the less likely I've been to remember my sites. I've also noticed that when I'm at the range it takes a lot of concentration to use the sights properly (practicing for Tues night). Again I've noticed, that when doing weapons qual. at night, I can hit the 50m very consistently if I use my fingers to aim with. My line of thought here is that night sites might be a waste of time and money. I'm thinking I might be better off w/ a set of fiber optics that get my fingers aligned in precisely the right spot to ingrain muscle memory. I'd like to add that I tend to hit the target more often than most in force on force; in fact, I'd say I'm at least in the top 1/3. Any thoughts?

 

[venomballistics]

I've noticed similar things in extended fast action shooting .. just put the metal on the meat and let it connect. as long as the gun "looks and feels right" they find home every time. with greater ranges I seem to revert back to use of the sights. its just automatic and I never really gave thought to these adaptations / evolutions.

 

[Stu Honea]

It's threat focused shooting and it's what you will do if the baloon goes up.Keep training in it. There is sooo much proof of this out there,it's hardly questioned anymore.

 

[firecracker6]

Thank you both for the help. I think that's what I'm gonna do. I think I wasted my money on night sites.

 

[Stu Honea]

A front night sight is a good idea,actually,as it does give you a visual index of the muzzle in the dark for close in fast work.
I am a huge believer in all the point or index shooting methods,but there are times when sights should be used, all dependant on time and distance. Your training in both methods should be a never ending process,if you are serious about being the best you can be. It's a lifelong study,and a most interesting journey.

 

[sipowicz]

I debated with myself the whole night sight thing and I went with fiber optic since most of my practice is in daylight and those sights make shooting much more enjoyable....I figure if it's at night, it's gonna be up close and sights will take a back seat to point shooting.

 

[marshallartist]

You're not the first to notice this. I believe that muscle memory is going to be a lot more useful in this situation than recalling proper sight alignment priniples but I may be wrong. I myself still go for night sights, but I figure at worst I've only wasted $100-125. My latest purchase in this area has been a set of hybrid fiber-optic/tritium sighs and so far I am very pleased with them.

 

[Old cop]

Back in the early 70's we were trained on point-shoot for night firing when reolvers ruled and night sights had not been invented. Although I did & do index from a flash sight picture when I can see, the point-shoot training saved me during my LEO days in a gunfight in a parking lot after dark. If you get a chance get the training, it's well worth it.

 

[sq hunter]

shooting to live, no second place winner,quick or dead. good books for reference.

 

[pff]

One use I've found for night sights is locating/orienting your pistol on the night stand.

One night I had been reading a novel about a sentient cobra with glowing green eyes. After dropping off to sleep, I was waking up for a trip to the baffroom when I saw these green glowing eyes..........

JUMPSTART!


The other thing about nightsights is that they may be the only way to get a decent set of sights on your pistol.

The fiberoptics I've tried I never had much use for, as they're great in sunshine when you don't really need them and disappear in interior hallways when you really do need them.

I may go to just a tritium front sight so I can widen the rear notch on mine. Most I've seen except on Berettas have the notch way too tight for the width of the front. With the diffraction effects in older eyes you need more light around the front post, even slow fire on the range. At speed they become impossible.


Regards,

Pat