probably a dumb question about front/rear sight compatibility

idek · January 4, 2013, 12:16 AM

I put a Skinner aperture sight and front post on my Marlin 1894c last spring. I took the front sight hood off at that time, because it just seemed to clutter up the sight picture. I haven't used the hood since.

I'm just curious if anyone keeps a front sight hood on when using aperture sights or if there is any good reason to do so.

chris in va · January 4, 2013, 12:50 AM

The hood just protects the post from getting knocked off. Won't hurt a thing to remove it.

idek · January 4, 2013, 02:47 AM

Okay thanks. I had heard/read that some people actually prefer the sight picture they get when leaving them on while shooting with open sights. And old Mauser k98's had a nice sight picture with a front hood:
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4814435809165583&pid=1.7

...so I didn't know if there were any benefits other than protecting the front blade. But as I said above, it seems distracting with aperture sights, so I'll continue to leave it off.

Strafer Gott · January 4, 2013, 10:39 AM

It keeps the front sight uniformly illuminated. If the sun shines on one side or the other, your shot placement may be affected. For some reason this really aggravates my astigmatism.

solocam72 · January 5, 2013, 05:25 AM

Not a stupid question! That's what this place is for, to ask and get advise. I personally would leave the sight hood off and forget that it ever had one, its not needed

Hawg · January 5, 2013, 11:51 AM

I almost always take them off. I have one rifle with a hood and it has relief cuts.

January 4, 2013, 12:16 AM	#1
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	probably a dumb question about front/rear sight compatibility I put a Skinner aperture sight and front post on my Marlin 1894c last spring. I took the front sight hood off at that time, because it just seemed to clutter up the sight picture. I haven't used the hood since. I'm just curious if anyone keeps a front sight hood on when using aperture sights or if there is any good reason to do so.

January 4, 2013, 02:47 AM	#3
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	Okay thanks. I had heard/read that some people actually prefer the sight picture they get when leaving them on while shooting with open sights. And old Mauser k98's had a nice sight picture with a front hood: http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4814435809165583&pid=1.7 ...so I didn't know if there were any benefits other than protecting the front blade. But as I said above, it seems distracting with aperture sights, so I'll continue to leave it off. Last edited by idek; January 4, 2013 at 02:56 AM.

January 4, 2013, 12:50 AM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The hood just protects the post from getting knocked off. Won't hurt a thing to remove it.

January 4, 2013, 10:39 AM	#4
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	It keeps the front sight uniformly illuminated. If the sun shines on one side or the other, your shot placement may be affected. For some reason this really aggravates my astigmatism.

January 5, 2013, 05:25 AM	#5
solocam72 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2012 Location: Great Northwest Posts: 222	Not a stupid question! That's what this place is for, to ask and get advise. I personally would leave the sight hood off and forget that it ever had one, its not needed

January 5, 2013, 11:51 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I almost always take them off. I have one rifle with a hood and it has relief cuts.