What type of sights do you like best and why?

stephen426 · June 13, 2005, 02:21 PM

I know that different types of sights are good for different things so I guess I had better narrow this down to combat pistols. The sights I have seen include plain black on black, 3 dot, Sig's bar/dot (Stovenhagen?), Glocks goal post/dot, and ghost rings.

I've heard that the 3 dot is best for overall accuracy and that ghost rings are fastest for target acquisition. I feel that the bar/dot system allows rapid sight acquisition along the horizontal axis but is slower for vertical alignment. The black on black is hardest IMHO for rapid sight acquistion and difficult to use on dark targets. I like Glock's sights as they allow pretty rapid target acquisition but they are definately not for fine target shooting.

If you guys want, feel free to comment on laser or red dot sights. I know red dots are the preferred sight for IPSC type competitions.

stevelyn · June 13, 2005, 03:02 PM

Three Dot tritium by Meprolight or Trijicon. Never used XS, but I suspect they're just as good.

stephen426 · June 13, 2005, 03:16 PM

I have seen 3 dot night sights that have a different color front sight. Do you think it makes that much difference or should you be able to tell simply by pointing the gun that the front dot is not in the middle. I think when the poop hits the fan, you had better have enough trigger time to put a few rounds in the general direction of the threat just by point shooting.

Anyone have opinions on taping the sights to practice point shooting? I know bullseye shooting is practically worthless in combat applications... Sir, please stand perfectly still while I assume the Weaver stance and aim at you. I've read that people can point at objects reasonably accurately with their index fingers. In other words, pick an object in the room, close your eyes, and point to where you think it is. Open your eyes to confirm.

Has any heard of keeping your index finger along the side of the gun and pulling the trigger with your middle finger? I know you only have your 4th and 5th finger on the grip but the other hand compensates. I found this to be a VERY quick way to acquire my target and accuracy was acceptable. you might not put one right between the eyes but a few hits center of mass ought to slow someone down.

Please share any thoughts or experience you might have on this.

wayneinFL · June 13, 2005, 03:57 PM

I like the truglo tfo sights I got from midwaya few months ago. they're fiberoptic, and glow bright in the sun, but they have a tritium insert behind the fiber to make the sight glow at night. Neat. Bright during the day and at night.

k9lwt · June 13, 2005, 06:48 PM

I think it depends on what you are using the sights for. I like Trijicons, etc. as an all purpose sight on a combat/protection gun. Laser sights are good and fast as well as fiber optic front sights as long as it's bright out.

Point shooting is something that will come with practice and repetition. At one point, you'll realize that you actually put a tight group on target without looking at your sights. Take your time getting there, as you want the rounds to go where they should.

stephen426 · June 13, 2005, 07:32 PM

k9lwt,

Welcome to the forum. I wish I had more time to practice. I used to go once a week when I was younger. That was almost 10 years ago. I'm luck if I make it out every 6 times a year. I need to find a job that is less time consuming!

45 Fu · June 13, 2005, 07:52 PM

I prefer any sight that I can see

Seriously, I like the Glock sights. They just seem quicker for me. As my eyes age I am thinking about getting a fiber optic front sight but leaving the rear sight stock. I don't like night sights because they are hard for me to pick up as easily in bright light. Unless we are talking contact distance, I want to use my sights and to do that I want them easy to be seen.

For target shooting the black on black works fine.

Marko Kloos · June 13, 2005, 07:57 PM

My favorite sight picture is a vertically stacked dot-on-bar configuration, like SIG's Von Stavenhagen pattern, Ashley Express sights, or Heinie Straight 8s. The human eye can align a vertical pattern quicker than a horizontal one, and I find that to be true for me.

The Glock "ball in a cup" sight picture is not too bad, either, since it's a variation of the vertical stacking principle.

I've been moving away from the three-dot pattern. It works fine at the range, but it's less quick to line up at speed when compared to a vertical stack sight picture.

stephen426 · June 13, 2005, 08:06 PM

I like the Sig sights as well since the horizontal alignment is very quick. I just find it harder to line up vertically as I have to get the black rear sights level with the black front sight on a black bullseye target. In a combat situation, I guess it doesn't matter if you hit the bad guy in the nose or between the eyes. I'm somewhat proficient with my Sig but I sometimes get vertical shot patterns when I try to shoot quickly. The horizontal line up is usually within 1 - 1.5 inches though.

kirkcdl · June 13, 2005, 10:57 PM

I have a Steyr S40 with a trapezoidal sight system.Although it took a while to get used to it,I much prefer it over all others,and I find it's the quickest at reacquiring the target,especially moving targets(like a can bouncing down an embankment).It works substantially better for me.

tlm225 · June 14, 2005, 07:17 AM

Trijicon or Meprolight night sights for defense/combat. I find that I do a little better on targets at distance (25 yards) if I spray them with sight black. This seems to sharpen them up and provide better contrast on paper.

Vic303 · June 14, 2005, 08:27 AM

I am a big fan of the XS dot/bar with the wide-V rearsite. I find it very easy to line up fast & has the nice addition of being able to 'see' more of the target & its surroundings due to the wide-V. For a carry pistol I think it is ideal. For me, they shoot better with less work on my part (we're talking CQB distances here, not target shooting. They are a less 'accurate' sight system).
YMMV

Jack Malloy · June 14, 2005, 08:58 AM

On .45s I am fond of the old King Tappan sights.
I generally prefer fixed sights , but having bought a fixed sight .357 that shoots one foot high and six inches to the left, I am starting to see why some of the old timers preferred adjustables, LOL...

just one question · June 14, 2005, 09:23 AM

I prefer laser grips

Bob F. · June 14, 2005, 06:00 PM

Just had 'smith order a set of Mepro night sights for my primary carry piece.

stephen426 · June 14, 2005, 06:09 PM

Does anyone know if someone makes bar-dot night sights where the bar and dot are different colors? I think that would be a great system. Three dot is slower to line up horizontally than bar-dot.

jonathon · June 14, 2005, 06:11 PM

I'm with Marko, 'cept I really love the factory Glock sights for some odd ball reason...

kymasabe · June 14, 2005, 11:37 PM

I was told recently that there was a gov't study on sights and they found that the green/orange combo was the most effective with the orange in front. They found that having two colors worked better for most shooters and that the orange front sight and green rear sights were the most effective.

June 13, 2005, 02:21 PM	#1
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	What type of sights do you like best and why? I know that different types of sights are good for different things so I guess I had better narrow this down to combat pistols. The sights I have seen include plain black on black, 3 dot, Sig's bar/dot (Stovenhagen?), Glocks goal post/dot, and ghost rings. I've heard that the 3 dot is best for overall accuracy and that ghost rings are fastest for target acquisition. I feel that the bar/dot system allows rapid sight acquisition along the horizontal axis but is slower for vertical alignment. The black on black is hardest IMHO for rapid sight acquistion and difficult to use on dark targets. I like Glock's sights as they allow pretty rapid target acquisition but they are definately not for fine target shooting. If you guys want, feel free to comment on laser or red dot sights. I know red dots are the preferred sight for IPSC type competitions. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 13, 2005, 03:02 PM	#2
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	Three Dot tritium by Meprolight or Trijicon. Never used XS, but I suspect they're just as good. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

June 13, 2005, 03:16 PM	#3
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	I have seen 3 dot night sights that have a different color front sight. Do you think it makes that much difference or should you be able to tell simply by pointing the gun that the front dot is not in the middle. I think when the poop hits the fan, you had better have enough trigger time to put a few rounds in the general direction of the threat just by point shooting. Anyone have opinions on taping the sights to practice point shooting? I know bullseye shooting is practically worthless in combat applications... Sir, please stand perfectly still while I assume the Weaver stance and aim at you. I've read that people can point at objects reasonably accurately with their index fingers. In other words, pick an object in the room, close your eyes, and point to where you think it is. Open your eyes to confirm. Has any heard of keeping your index finger along the side of the gun and pulling the trigger with your middle finger? I know you only have your 4th and 5th finger on the grip but the other hand compensates. I found this to be a VERY quick way to acquire my target and accuracy was acceptable. you might not put one right between the eyes but a few hits center of mass ought to slow someone down. Please share any thoughts or experience you might have on this. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 13, 2005, 07:32 PM	#6
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	k9lwt, Welcome to the forum. I wish I had more time to practice. I used to go once a week when I was younger. That was almost 10 years ago. I'm luck if I make it out every 6 times a year. I need to find a job that is less time consuming! __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 13, 2005, 07:52 PM	#7
45 Fu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 422	I prefer any sight that I can see Seriously, I like the Glock sights. They just seem quicker for me. As my eyes age I am thinking about getting a fiber optic front sight but leaving the rear sight stock. I don't like night sights because they are hard for me to pick up as easily in bright light. Unless we are talking contact distance, I want to use my sights and to do that I want them easy to be seen. For target shooting the black on black works fine. __________________ The pen is mightier than the sword - unless you are facing a man armed with a sword, then the pen is pretty much useless. 45 Fu

June 13, 2005, 03:57 PM	#4
wayneinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Posts: 1,944	I like the truglo tfo sights I got from midwaya few months ago. they're fiberoptic, and glow bright in the sun, but they have a tritium insert behind the fiber to make the sight glow at night. Neat. Bright during the day and at night.

June 13, 2005, 06:48 PM	#5
k9lwt Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2005 Location: Posts: 123	I think it depends on what you are using the sights for. I like Trijicons, etc. as an all purpose sight on a combat/protection gun. Laser sights are good and fast as well as fiber optic front sights as long as it's bright out. Point shooting is something that will come with practice and repetition. At one point, you'll realize that you actually put a tight group on target without looking at your sights. Take your time getting there, as you want the rounds to go where they should.

June 13, 2005, 07:57 PM	#8
Marko Kloos Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2000 Location: Enfield, NH Posts: 5,521	My favorite sight picture is a vertically stacked dot-on-bar configuration, like SIG's Von Stavenhagen pattern, Ashley Express sights, or Heinie Straight 8s. The human eye can align a vertical pattern quicker than a horizontal one, and I find that to be true for me. The Glock "ball in a cup" sight picture is not too bad, either, since it's a variation of the vertical stacking principle. I've been moving away from the three-dot pattern. It works fine at the range, but it's less quick to line up at speed when compared to a vertical stack sight picture. __________________ "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." --A.E. Van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher the munchkin wrangler.

June 13, 2005, 08:06 PM	#9
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	I like the Sig sights as well since the horizontal alignment is very quick. I just find it harder to line up vertically as I have to get the black rear sights level with the black front sight on a black bullseye target. In a combat situation, I guess it doesn't matter if you hit the bad guy in the nose or between the eyes. I'm somewhat proficient with my Sig but I sometimes get vertical shot patterns when I try to shoot quickly. The horizontal line up is usually within 1 - 1.5 inches though. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 13, 2005, 10:57 PM	#10
kirkcdl Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2002 Location: Roseburg,ORYGUN Posts: 821	I have a Steyr S40 with a trapezoidal sight system.Although it took a while to get used to it,I much prefer it over all others,and I find it's the quickest at reacquiring the target,especially moving targets(like a can bouncing down an embankment).It works substantially better for me.

June 14, 2005, 07:17 AM	#11
tlm225 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 962	Trijicon or Meprolight night sights for defense/combat. I find that I do a little better on targets at distance (25 yards) if I spray them with sight black. This seems to sharpen them up and provide better contrast on paper. __________________ All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

June 14, 2005, 08:27 AM	#12
Vic303 Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 90	I am a big fan of the XS dot/bar with the wide-V rearsite. I find it very easy to line up fast & has the nice addition of being able to 'see' more of the target & its surroundings due to the wide-V. For a carry pistol I think it is ideal. For me, they shoot better with less work on my part (we're talking CQB distances here, not target shooting. They are a less 'accurate' sight system). YMMV

June 14, 2005, 08:58 AM	#13
Jack Malloy Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2005 Posts: 791	On .45s I am fond of the old King Tappan sights. I generally prefer fixed sights , but having bought a fixed sight .357 that shoots one foot high and six inches to the left, I am starting to see why some of the old timers preferred adjustables, LOL...

June 14, 2005, 09:23 AM	#14
just one question Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2005 Posts: 213	well I prefer laser grips

June 14, 2005, 06:00 PM	#15
Bob F. Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2004 Location: Southeastern WV (left out "north") Posts: 195	Just had 'smith order a set of Mepro night sights for my primary carry piece.

June 14, 2005, 06:09 PM	#16
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	Does anyone know if someone makes bar-dot night sights where the bar and dot are different colors? I think that would be a great system. Three dot is slower to line up horizontally than bar-dot. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 14, 2005, 06:11 PM	#17
jonathon Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Washougal, Washington. YEHAW! Posts: 1,872	I'm with Marko, 'cept I really love the factory Glock sights for some odd ball reason... __________________ Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good More CZ M52 info than you can shake a stick at!

June 14, 2005, 11:37 PM	#18
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	I was told recently that there was a gov't study on sights and they found that the green/orange combo was the most effective with the orange in front. They found that having two colors worked better for most shooters and that the orange front sight and green rear sights were the most effective.