opinions on front "fiber optic" type sights

[popcan]

I still consider myself relatively new to shooting clays, but I have owned / been able to try several different types and makes of target guns over the past 5 years or so.

I have come to the conclusion that I don't prefer the "light pipes" in place of a simple front bead sight for trap or skeet shooting.

I have my own reasons, but does anyone else have a strong preference either way, and why? What are the top competitors using these days?

 

[bmcrae]

I think this is another one of those personal preference situations.

A few schools of thought as follows;

1) If you have a bead that 'sticks out' then you may focus your eyes on that rather than the bird (which is generally considered a bad thing)

2) Some of the sites are configured to help prevent cross firing due to eye dominance issues (anything that helps prevent cross firing is a good thing if you are subject to that problem).

Personally, once the birds are in the air, I don't spend a whole lot of time looking at my bead, so I don't care. I do suffer from cross firing due to eye dominance issues, but I use a patch on my glasses to fix that problem.

For what it is worth, one of the best shooters I know shoots without a bead at all.

Go with what ever works for you.

Brad.

 

[ben hunchak]

Fibre optic front sights are great on guns that you aim, not so good on guns you point!

 

[Rod B]

I like a plain bead. The glowing "light pipes" are a distraction to me.

 

[beretta boy]

I carry a Hi Viz magnetic type in my bag. Very occassionally, I've found some late afternoon targets, both with rabbitts and low-flyers in the trees, where it's very tough to see the end of your barrel in the shadows.

Slip on the magnetic "glow-pipe" for that stand.

Agree with others ... with targets in the air, focus on the targets, the
bead, if any, doesn't even come into the picture !

 

[jg]

front light sights

2) Some of the sites are configured to help prevent cross firing due to eye dominance issues (anything that helps prevent cross firing is a good thing if you are subject to that problem).

I've heard of these anyone know where I could order one??

 

[popcan]

Alas, eye-dominance issues are exactly why I prefer a plain bead. The light pipes distract me from looking at the target.

I am a right hand - left eye dominant shooter, and on top of that, have a slight medical problem in my right eye.... even wearing a patch on the left doesn't totally solve my problem, but it helps. I am one of those that close one eye to shoot - which is not the best form maybe, but hey, I'm having just as much fun as you.

 

[Claybuster]

I've tried them and don't like them. I have enough trouble with bead checking and measuring targets with just a small white bead and the glow worm at the end of the barrel makes the problem a lot worse.

 

[BerniePEI]

I find the green pipes annoying. They are harder to keep track of with my peripheral vision than the plain bead.

Very occasionally, I do find a use for bright orange / red pipes for sporting clays. I'm in the same boat as Beretta Boy: only where there are very distracting backgrounds, such as sporting clays in dense woods in strange bright-light conditions. Pop it on for that station, and remove it again when the light returns to normal.

Otherwise, the benefit is marginal at best for me (different lenses would probably make more difference), but some others swear by them all the time. Give them a try - can't hurt!

 

[Calum]

Mine works for me.

 

[Win/64]

I find them very distracting.