Stupid Newbie Sight Alignment Question

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revzx9r

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Guys,

I have owned several semi-auto pistols, but I just bought my first revolver a couple of weeks ago and I have a question about sight alignment.

With my semi-autos, most of them had three dot sights and I am accustomed to lining the dots up level with the tops of the front and rear sights appearing level. Does the same hold true with my 642? It has that big ramped sight up front and the rear sight is just a small, low groove. It would seem if I lined those sights up level that I would be aiming low??

Thanks in advance for answering my dumb question.
 
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Line up the top of the front sight with the top of the rear. You will be filling up the rear groove with the front post. squeeze trigger.


Charlie
 
What Charlie said..and remember ammo used will differ depending on who makes it, etc. So when you find stuff that shoots to POA with the sights positioned like Charlie said, then keep that ammo in the gun for carry. Don't go out more than 10 yards because after all, these guns are for up close and personal use.
 
First of all, welcome to the forum.

It's not really a SNQ. These modern firearms tried to make sight alignment easy and quick. So they came up with the 'figure 8s', 3 dot etc. Sight alignment has always consisted of the top of both sights even, and the front sight centered in the rear sight.

You want to be looking thru the rear sight, focused on the front sight, and on the target.

Like was said above, fixed sight firearms are regulated to hit a certain POI with a particular bullet. There will be variations depending on bullet weight and velocity.

Have fun with the new gun.

Shooting alot is the prescription for accuracy, (not to mention fun), now.
 
Thanks for the helpful information guys. I have only been a handgun owner for the past 12-15 months. Before that it was just a couple of shotguns and rifles. I am attempting to educate myself with the help of others. I feel that I've learned a lot so far. I'm sure, as with most things, I will be learning something new about firearms until the day I die.

My next problem area is nervous jitters when at the range. I know it sounds crazy. I'm not scared of the recoil or noise, but for some reason I get kind of jittery when I shoot and have trouble keeping my hands and arms steady. It only seems to happen at the range and not when I am shooting outdoors with my Dad.....weird, not sure why I do it.
 
Nerves probably from knowing that perfect strangers are watching..or at least you think they are. Believe me, they are not, and even if they are, they were new to the hobby one time or another. Just relax, concentrate on your shooting posture, breathing control, sight alignment, trigger control..squeeze..squeeze..squeeze, enjoy the boom..come back on target and repeat. Remember, this is fun!!
 
As PDL said, look through the rear sight and focus o the FRONT sight. When I taught at the police academy I use to stand behind students, that were have accuracy issues. I would quietly say front sight, front sight, over and over while they fired. It didn't take long and they concentrated on the front sight and improved. Enough said.
 
Ok, while I am on a roll I have one more for you guys. I think I know the answer to this question but I want to make sure I am doing what I think I should be doing.

If I am aiming for dead center of target and my first shot is off by some amount to should I adjust my point of aim to correct, or should I keep my point of aim the same to see what type of grouping I get or if subsequent shots get closer to my point of aim?
 
Don't be worried about tremors or jitters. If you keep proper sight alignment, they will only cause a small move of the bullet strike. If you let your sights go out of line, it will be a 'big' miss.
 
revzx9r said:
Ok, while I am on a roll I have one more for you guys. I think I know the answer to this question but I want to make sure I am doing what I think I should be doing.

If I am aiming for dead center of target and my first shot is off by some amount to should I adjust my point of aim to correct, or should I keep my point of aim the same to see what type of grouping I get or if subsequent shots get closer to my point of aim?
Click to expand...

Concetrate on the group. That's a reflection of your grip, sight, breathing, etc. Later on you can worry about Kentucky windage if you need to.
 
Thanks so much again for all the helpful advice. This is one of the only forums I have seen where I can post questions like this and not get bashed for my inexperience or "dumb" questions.

Awesome group of people here!
 
Hope this helps

helpfulhints2.png


user137307pic5231250435.jpg
 
You can also benefit from a target that tells you what 'usual suspects' are causing the bullet to hit where it does.

I'll assume you're right handed, if not I'll post a left handed one
 

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No question is DUMB, maybe some peoples answers are at times though. To seek knowledge is a good thing and THIS is generally a great forum for it. ALWAYS STARE AT THE FRONT SIGHT !!!!!
Happy Shooting.
 
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