Ghost Ring .vs Bead Sights

Postman · May 16, 2000, 07:42 PM

I am purchasing a Wilson Combat Border Patrol this month and am torn between going with the ghost ring they offer and the traditional bead. I have spoken to them and I can opt for the bead with no trouble and at substantial savings.

I'm not doing this to save money, my concern is for the durability of the front site and the necessity of the whole setup.

This would be a home defense gun primarly, posibly a shooting sport gun if I ever get around to looking into the sport.

I would like opinions from those of you who have used ghost rings adn thos of you who havn't.

May 16, 2000, 09:07 PM

Right. Practice. Know your weapon.

I personally don't consider a bead sight a liability. FWIW, I've shot one-hole groups at 50 yards from braced kneeling with "Brand-X" slugs with my bead-sighted Mossberg 590. If I can do it, anyone can. It just takes some practice.

Schmit · May 16, 2000, 09:24 PM

I'm with Eric on the GR site. Love mine (MMC). Much faster to get on target with, at least for me. I've tried with just a bead and my "patterns" are quit larger.

Dave McC · May 17, 2000, 04:41 AM

Good work can be done with a bead. It's easier for most folks to do well with a peep sight.With practice(essential in any case) and at HD ranges, a bead will do.

As soon as the range opens up tho, the peep becomes obviously the better setup.

Shawn Dodson · May 17, 2000, 08:16 AM

For home defense I believe a bead sight is very good. For extended distances with slugs I prefer rifle sights fitted directly on the barrel as opposed to a ghost ring on the receiver and a front sight on the barrel.

------------------
/s/ Shawn Dodson
Firearms Tactical Institute
http://www.firearmstactical.com

Glamdring · May 17, 2000, 10:00 AM

Go with the sight. If money isn't the issue what do you loose with it?

Before I put sights on my 12 gauge I could put slugs in the K zone of target at 50 yards . With sights I can do head shots, with a rest.

Just my $.02

Dave McC · May 17, 2000, 10:03 AM

Shawn, if you wouldn't mind explaining, why do you prefer the sights on the bbl vs a receiver sight?

On an 18" bbl, sight radius is little more than handgun length. Moving the rear back to the receiver almost doubles the distance, aiding accuracy a lot and speed a bit,IMO.

Here in Md, I've been using a peep for deer for decades,and the results have been positive.

SEAN WILLIAMS · May 18, 2000, 11:41 AM

PostMan: on my Mossberg 500A, I opted for the MMC ghost ring set up, however I have the banded front sight also made by MMC and at this time, I have decided to leave the front bead on. I figure I would rather knock the front sight around, than off. In case I do knock the front sight around,or Lord forbid, off, I still have the front bead as a reference to realign it. The bead sight is fine, and as with all things worthwhile, it just takes more time and ammo to be proficient at longer ranges. I also feel that ghost rings and electronic sights are a natural progression towards gaining enhanced accuracy out of this versatile tool.

Postman · May 18, 2000, 07:55 PM

Well I've made my decision, I picked up the Border Patrol with ghost ring sights, a side saddle and the black armor tuff finish. I fidure that if the Wilson sights prove to be flimsy, I can always replace them with the MMC set. Now I just have to wait eight weeks for them to build the gun.

Ned Roundtree · May 19, 2000, 05:40 AM

Ghost ring sights, good decision. You won't regret. Front post also has tritium inset.

May 16, 2000, 07:42 PM	#1
Postman Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 1999 Location: Blackrock, CT Posts: 106	I am purchasing a Wilson Combat Border Patrol this month and am torn between going with the ghost ring they offer and the traditional bead. I have spoken to them and I can opt for the bead with no trouble and at substantial savings. I'm not doing this to save money, my concern is for the durability of the front site and the necessity of the whole setup. This would be a home defense gun primarly, posibly a shooting sport gun if I ever get around to looking into the sport. I would like opinions from those of you who have used ghost rings adn thos of you who havn't.

May 16, 2000, 09:07 PM	#2
Jeff, CA Guest Posts: n/a	Right. Practice. Know your weapon. I personally don't consider a bead sight a liability. FWIW, I've shot one-hole groups at 50 yards from braced kneeling with "Brand-X" slugs with my bead-sighted Mossberg 590. If I can do it, anyone can. It just takes some practice.

May 16, 2000, 09:24 PM	#3
Schmit Staff Alumnus Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: Masquito infested flatlands of Mid-FL Posts: 1,857	I'm with Eric on the GR site. Love mine (MMC). Much faster to get on target with, at least for me. I've tried with just a bead and my "patterns" are quit larger.

May 17, 2000, 04:41 AM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Good work can be done with a bead. It's easier for most folks to do well with a peep sight.With practice(essential in any case) and at HD ranges, a bead will do. As soon as the range opens up tho, the peep becomes obviously the better setup.

May 17, 2000, 08:16 AM	#5
Shawn Dodson Junior member Join Date: December 16, 1998 Location: Titusville, FL, USA Posts: 1,030	For home defense I believe a bead sight is very good. For extended distances with slugs I prefer rifle sights fitted directly on the barrel as opposed to a ghost ring on the receiver and a front sight on the barrel. ------------------ /s/ Shawn Dodson Firearms Tactical Institute http://www.firearmstactical.com

May 17, 2000, 10:00 AM	#6
Glamdring Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 1,388	Go with the sight. If money isn't the issue what do you loose with it? Before I put sights on my 12 gauge I could put slugs in the K zone of target at 50 yards . With sights I can do head shots, with a rest. Just my $.02

May 17, 2000, 10:03 AM	#7
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Shawn, if you wouldn't mind explaining, why do you prefer the sights on the bbl vs a receiver sight? On an 18" bbl, sight radius is little more than handgun length. Moving the rear back to the receiver almost doubles the distance, aiding accuracy a lot and speed a bit,IMO. Here in Md, I've been using a peep for deer for decades,and the results have been positive.

May 18, 2000, 11:41 AM	#8
SEAN WILLIAMS Member Join Date: October 5, 1999 Posts: 59	PostMan: on my Mossberg 500A, I opted for the MMC ghost ring set up, however I have the banded front sight also made by MMC and at this time, I have decided to leave the front bead on. I figure I would rather knock the front sight around, than off. In case I do knock the front sight around,or Lord forbid, off, I still have the front bead as a reference to realign it. The bead sight is fine, and as with all things worthwhile, it just takes more time and ammo to be proficient at longer ranges. I also feel that ghost rings and electronic sights are a natural progression towards gaining enhanced accuracy out of this versatile tool.

May 18, 2000, 07:55 PM	#9
Postman Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 1999 Location: Blackrock, CT Posts: 106	Well I've made my decision, I picked up the Border Patrol with ghost ring sights, a side saddle and the black armor tuff finish. I fidure that if the Wilson sights prove to be flimsy, I can always replace them with the MMC set. Now I just have to wait eight weeks for them to build the gun.

May 19, 2000, 05:40 AM	#10
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	Ghost ring sights, good decision. You won't regret. Front post also has tritium inset.