Trigger Talk ….Sights and Optics
Most firearms are equipped with basic sights when you buy them. Hunting or Sport Utility Rifles may only be equipped with mounts to allow you to add a sighting system or optics of your choosing. Simple “Open” or “Iron” sights consist of a single front post and a rear sight with a groove you align with the front site. These sights are fine for target shooting, but the options available today greatly enhance your ability to place your shots where you want.
Aftermarket sights that have a large single dot front sight with a shallow “V” rear sight and alignment mark such as those sold by XS Sights greatly enhance your target acquisition especially in low light. Sight alignment is further increased in low light by the use of tritium night sights. These sights incorporate a small vial of a glowing material that makes the sights visible even in total darkness. An example of this type of sight is manufactured by Trijicon right here in Wixom MI.
In recent years the use of lasers on handguns has gained great acceptance and today there are add-on lasers and replacement grips made for virtually all handguns. A laser sight places a small red dot directly on your target that you can see, assuring that the gun is aimed correctly.
Telescopic sights offer versatility for the shooter, helping to achieve pinpoint accuracy at typical hunting ranges of 100 to 200 yards assuring clean humane harvesting of game. Scopes allow long range hunting at greater distances with magnum cartridges, and help those of us will older eyes still see the targets.
A good rule of thumb for purchasing a scope is to spend at least as much on your scope as you did for your rifle. It does not make sense to purchase a high quality rifle and mount a cheap $39 scope on it. High quality scopes use much better glass with multi-layer coatings that increase light transmission. This allows you to see better in the early morning light or the decreasing light at dusk.
“Red Dot” sights project a red dot onto a glass pane in the scope itself. When you look through the glass you just place the dot on the target and that is where to bullet goes. These sights are great for quick target alignment and are similar to the types currently in use by our military.
Next month we’ll talk about “Concealed Carry” handgun selection. Future topics will include personal defense training, gun cleaning, holster selection and more!
Until then …….Safe Shooting!
Dick Cupka is an NRA Certified Pistol, Personal Defense in the Home and Concealed Pistol License Instructor. You can reach him by e-mail at….. triggertalk.dc@gmail.com