Thoughts on aftermarket fiber-optic shotgun rib sights?

[manbearpig]

i need something more accurate than a bead for my SPR 453, for turkey next year.
yes i realize i am 8 months early but i dont want to leave it to the last minute if its something i need to order from the States.

HiViz has some offerings around $25 that seem to fit the bill (like the TriViz pictured below), but im really skeptical of getting something decent for only $25

has anyone tried these? what are they made of (plastic?)? how do they attach? do they fly off or fall off or lose zero if you bump them against something?

i would prefer a proper ghost ring setup installed by a gunsmith, but this gun will be used for waterfowl, sporting clays, etc so i really dont want to permanently alter the gun.

 

[jethunter]

They are better than a bead.

They are plastic and if you bash it against something you can rest assured it will break - but fairly tough, everything considered. They were quite a bit cheaper than $25 on ebay last time i looked at them, but that was a year ago.

I actually think you'd do just as well with the factory bead if you practise with it a little bit and learn where it shoots, but that's just how i would do it. Other people have other ideas - go for it.

 

[manbearpig]

once you have them attached and zeroed, are they on solid or still wiggly and loose/flimsy?

has anyone here used one of these successfully for a full season?

i should just order one and try it.. but $25+tax/shipping is $35 i could potentially put towards something else if anyone has any better ideas.

RE: the bead -- i love them for fluid shots on moving targets but for things that require precise aim im not very good with them.

 

[bill c68]

I use a Hi-viz front bead on 3 shotguns and my wife has one on hers. So far I have broken one, but they are cheap, so no biggie. Worst case scenario, you just pull it off and you still have your factory bead.

I shoot an MP-153 (smae gun as the SPR) and the factory bead is only fair at best.

I wouldn't bother with a rear sight, just practice, practice, practice. Of course i have never hunted Turkeys.

 

[12magnum]

I've got a Truglo universal , shotgun vent rib sight , with no rear sight. The red dot glows very much and is easy to see in low light. They could easily be used for waterfowl,clays,upland whatever.This type came from SIR about 3 or 4 years ago and the list was $10.79. The bottom just peals off, it sticks onto the rib.There is a notch at the front that snaps around the bead, as it stays in place but you can not see the bead, just the red or green glowing dot.Yes they are plastic, so if your on an extended hunt, it would be wise to carry a few extras. I put mine on for turkey hunting and there's no question how easy they are to see.