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November 27, 2018, 11:20 PM | #1 |
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benefits of "winged" front sights?
Do the outer portions of M1, HK, and AK front sights really help with aiming, or do they just protect the front post?
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November 28, 2018, 01:43 AM | #2 |
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In my experience they can actually hurt aiming. I've lined up on a wing by mistake in less than ideal lighting instead of lining up on the front sight post.
My understanding is that they are there to protect the front sight. I suppose that under some lighting conditions (strong light from the side) they might provide some benefit by shading the sight post so there's no glare on it.
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November 28, 2018, 03:39 AM | #3 |
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The wings are supposed to protect the front sight.
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November 28, 2018, 12:02 PM | #4 | |
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They're for protection.
Quote:
Just last weekend, I managed to fire two shots while unintentionally using one of the 'wings' as the front sight post on a Marlin wearing Skinner 'Winged' Sights.
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November 28, 2018, 12:26 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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November 28, 2018, 10:23 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz7fUY0u6GI As others have pointed out the wings just protect the front sight post. |
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November 28, 2018, 10:33 PM | #7 |
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Wings and hoods are a distraction to me. That is unless it is part of a sight system like Lyman 17 aperature sight.
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November 29, 2018, 07:34 AM | #8 |
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Like Davidson said, the Hk sight hoods are meant to be used during aiming. G3 manuals include a portion that illustrates their use. Mg42.net has a section on Hk sights, how to use, zero, and adjust them.
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November 29, 2018, 11:10 AM | #9 |
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Protection.
Also of some use when shooting at moving targets. Wings beat hoods, IMO, since mud & snow can collect in a hood.
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November 29, 2018, 11:27 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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November 29, 2018, 01:10 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
I must say I never managed that particular Stupid Private Trick.
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November 29, 2018, 03:17 PM | #12 |
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"...supposed to protect the front sight..." Primarily when fighting with one's bayonet. Same reason stocks went to or close to the muzzle.
Sight protectors are usually bent at the top to prevent mistaking 'em for the front blade.
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November 30, 2018, 06:52 PM | #13 |
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Thanks for the input. I determined a number of years ago that I preferred flat-topped posts to round beads for a front sight when using apertures, but I never gave much thought as to whether the there was any visual advantage or disadvantage to the winged sights. I guess the protected posts tend to be narrower/finer than most unprotected posts that I've tried, and I do prefer the skinnier posts.
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December 6, 2018, 04:30 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
As to the wings on front sights a story I read long ago was that the soldiers in Korea were complaining about the 30 Carbine not stopping the enemy soldiers. So the sergeant took a hacksaw and sawed the front sight wings off the guns and the complaints about the 30 carbine not working stopped. |
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