Done some searching, haven’t really found a consensus on this:
Do you guys always aim with the top of your blade (#2) or do you use the dots (#3)? Or do you switch back and forth between the dots for fast shots and the top of the blade for precision shots?
I’m actually not sure what the purpose of the dots is… are they for you to aim with like in sight picture #3, or are they just for you to pick up your sights quickly, so you can find the top of the front blade like in #2?
I use the top of the front sight blade for precision and it’s dot for speed. Sometimes just brings the eye to the blade. Kind of “ignore” the rear sight unless it is a long shot. More people starting to paint the front sight blade and use the top for speed and precision.
Image #2 is how I sight the target on my G19.
#2 for me
fwiw @ 25 yards:
Everyone is comfortable with this/that
Some Zero POA/POI @ 25 yards with the Top of the Front Blade. Pic #2.
Some Zero POA/POI @ 25 yards with the Top of the Front Blade below the Target, Pic #1. -or- 6 o’clock hold.
^ Not sure if this answers your question, but its personal preference. But, with anything a Crisp Front Sight picture is what your after for accuracy.
I have always used 1. We always called it punkin on a post. I don’t like to cover what I’m trying to hit.
You shouldn’t really ever be using the dots. I don’t know who created that image, but the only thing I can think of is referencing tritium vials installed for low light use…in which case they’re have a slightly different POA and POI. If you have tritium and can get a normal sight picture, then disregard the tritium and use the front sight normally.
Focusing on the blade is faster more more accurate than trying to line up three dots. A fiber optic on top of the front post can make it faster still…but in my opinion a plain rear is superior no matter what you have up front.
Regarding which sight picture you should use…depends on the height of your front sight in relation to the rear. It could be any of the above. Sight image 2 being my preferred…because life doesn’t have nice bulls to set on the post like a lollypop.
I use #2 with the rb1s on my glocks.
#2, it feels most natural to me although it may not be the fastest.
I prefer the technique illustrated in number 2. The method you choose depends, as has been pointed out, on the height of your sights.
All my pistol sights have three dots horizontally, I’ve painted over the rear two dots with a black paint pen, so all I can see is the front dot.
First figure out where your gun’s poi/POA is. You may not have a choice as to which sight picture you have to use. That said, I prefer and setup all of my handguns to shoot like #2 if I can. You may also see a difference between defensive ammo and reloads or fmj.
I too like #2 and most pistols come that way. Only one I have that didn’t is my Hk45 and I would rather have it at #2.
Thanks for the replies. Makes sense.
I go with #2 on my guns with 3 dot sights. I’ve never even heard of #3 before, is this used in certain circles?
Aligning the dots on mine actually gives this 6 o’clock picture:
thanks for the replies. just wanted to see if there was one you guys preferred to use.