How I improved my Glock groups with a Sharpie (TONS OF PICS)

[StrikeFire83]

So some of y'all may recall that I was in here complaining about my the groups I was getting with my beloved Glock 17 as opposed to other guns. If you're unfamiliar, check this out: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=733412

Anyhow, a lot of people suggested that I change out the sights. Well, that's certainly on the horizon, but I got the wild hare to go ahead and "Gomer" the cruddy rear plastic sights with a heavy-duty permanent Sharpie. My thinking was that I was getting distracted by the "white gutter" on the Glock's rear sight and that was taking focus away from the front sight. Well, here's my ugly solution:

I did this to both my Glock 17 and Glock 26. Am I an idiot? Well, probably. But one thing's for sure, this really improved my shooting. Here goes:

Glock 17 @ 7 Yards - 17 rounds fired


Glock 26 @ 7 Yards - 17 rounds fired


And for comparison's sake, here's what I did at the same distance with other guns:

XDm 45 Compact @ 7 Yards - 17 rounds fired


M&P Pro 9 @ 7 Yards - 17 rounds fired


Browning Hi-Power @ 7 Yards - 17 rounds fired


Things were also much improved at 15 yards:

Glock 17 @ 15 Yards - 10 rounds fired


Glock 26 @ 15 Yards - 10 rounds fired


XDm 45 Compact @ 15 Yards - 10 rounds fired


M&P Pro 9 @ 15 Yards - 10 rounds fired


My thoughts: Not being distracted by the lines on the back of the Glock rear sight was HUGE for me. For some reason, that Glock rear sight just messes with me in a way that a 3-dot pattern doesn't. Soon I will replace the sights on my G26 (my daily carry gun) and eventually I'll do the same on the G17. Also, on my last range trip, I was intrigued by the M&P 9 after putting 10 rounds through a buddy's gun. Well, after putting 100 rounds through this M&P Pro 9 that I rented at the range today I am much less intrigued. The trigger is just too strange for me. I do okay with it, but I think I'll stick with XD and Glock.

As always, your input is requested and much appreciated!!!!

Final pics:

 

[Hometeached1]

Hey, do what works. A sharpie is a lot cheaper than new sights, I'd still get sturdier sights, but at least you know what works for you. Everyone's eyes are different, my Dad loves the XS Big Dot sight and is really good with them out to 25yrds, me not so much, for a snubbie I think their great. I love Tru glow's TFO's on my glock 19.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I usually use model paint, but a Sharpie works too....that is what I did to the rear dots on my M&P9. When I first get a gun and before I change the sights, I always black on the rear blade...over time it has proven to be the fastest combination for me to perceive the aligned sights

 

[newglockguy]

+1 for the TFO's. Check out 10-8 for some sights

 

[marv]

I use a black Sharpie to blacken the front sight on my new M642.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Thanks fellas! Now my great Glock sight search begins. I'm hearing a lot of good things about Tru Glo.

9mmepiphany, which sights did you end up with?

 

[Nickb45]

I had a set of diamond speed sights on a XDs 45. I only shot with them once before I sold the pistol, but they were awesome!

 

[StrikeFire83]

^Those look pretty cool.

I've heard very good things about AmeriGlo CAP sights. Anybody have any experience with them:

http://www.ameriglo.net/catalog/sights/pistol-sights/glock/night-sights/complete-sets/cap

 

[9mmepiphany]

9mmepiphany, which sights did you end up with?

Dawson Precision .100" Fiber Optic front paired with a 10-8 Performance .140" plain black rear

 

[HOOfan_1]

My pistol shooting range is under a roof...pretty dark under there and unless you are shooting at the ends...15 yards and 7 yards, it is almost impossible to focus on your sight and not the target, which is out in the sun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If your target is well lit and your sights are under shade, you sights should be clearly silhouetted against the target

 

[HOOfan_1]

If your target is well lit and your sights are under shade, you sights should be clearly silhouetted against the target

Not on a black target

 

[9mmepiphany]

Don't shoot at black targets...put a light colored 3" X 5" card out there

 

[Water-Man]

I am using AmeriGlo Hack night sights on a couple of M&Ps. They work well for me.

 

[johnmcl]

Dawson Precision .100" Fiber Optic front paired with a 10-8 Performance .140" plain black rear

From first hand experience, this is a smokin' hot combination for both competitive and defense guns.

 

[RBid]

I've been doing the Sharpie thing for a bit, myself. Works great in decent light. I'm in the process of looking into night sights for my 19 and 23, because I live in the fabulously overcast and soggy PNW, where 'decent light' is almost a unicorn.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm seriously considering AmeriGlo and 9mmepiphany's solution.

 

[stressed]

Was this rapid fire or concentrated?

 

[Inebriated]

There's a reason why I flip my rear sight around on new Glocks until I get real sights.

 

[StrikeFire83]

stressed, the 7 yard targets were rapid fire. The 15 yard targets were slower aimed fire, about 1 second between shots.

 

[rbernie]

There's a reason why I flip my rear sight around on new Glocks until I get real sights

This. It's trivially easy to do and it works well if you can't afford new sights.

 

[JDGray]

There's a reason target sights are all black, and combat sights have dots....Figure out what your going to be doing with the pistol, and get sights. Personally, I'd go with a big white dot on the front for easy SD usage, but its your target pistol not mine...

 

[Hangingrock]

Its probably just me but some of the newer so called "Combat Sights" innovations seem to present a cluttered sight picture. If we concur that the front sight is of the most importance than that should be the dominant point of focus thus easiest to acquire in sighting.

 

[9mmepiphany]

There's a reason target sights are all black, and combat sights have dots....Figure out what your going to be doing with the pistol, and get sights. Personally, I'd go with a big white dot on the front for easy SD usage, but its your target pistol not mine...

Combat sights have dots mostly because they cater to folks who demand them.

It is a control issue of wanting to look at the rear sight (the dots) and confirm that their alignment id "true". While that is how sight alignment is taught, it shouldn't be a goal, but rather a progression to seeing the aligned sights without looking at them.

At higher skill levels, sights are perceived as aligned and that perception cues the trigger press. This process is subconscious and frees the conscious to make the decision of when to fire on a target.

Multiple dots hinder this process and hence the development of the skill level of a shooter's ability to place accurate shots on target quickly

 

[hentown]

I don't see the dots on my Glocks' sights, unless I'm in low light. Otherwise, I don't consider lining up dots as the proper acquisition of a sight picture.