Patridge vs. ramped sight - what's the difference?

[gunsrfun1]

Hello – What is the difference in terms of shooting a gun between a ramped front sight and a Patridge sight. I know what each one looks like. I believe the principle of a Patridge sight is that a little light leaks through on either side of the front post so you can see where the front post is relative to the rear notch. That seems to apply to a ramped front sight as well. So what is the difference or advantage of one over the other? thanks

 

[Jim Watson]

The purpose of the Patridge sight is to give a clear sharp front post for good visibility against the target, especially with a six o'clock hold on a black bullseye on a white background.

The purpose of a ramp front sight is to be drawn from a leather holster without cutting up the leather and leaving a ball of fuzz on the corner of a post to mess up your aim.

Modern holsters, especially the formed Kydex, have sight tracks to clear about any shape sight.

 

[mete]

E.E.Patridge ,unlike other sight designers , first asked eye doctors how the eye works. From that knowledge he designed his sight which is still the best for handguns. It has a square front post ,~ 1/8" ,and a square notch also ~ 1/8" . The sight face may be undercut, vertical or a ramp .The ramp best for holster use and the undercut best for target since it eliminates any reflections.

 

[Jim Watson]

Original Patridge sights were a vertical rectangular blade, with both sides and top tapered toward the front so as to present sharp edges to the shooter with no risk of glints off the flats of the blade. Not affordable these days.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Mete - What do you mean by an "undercut" blade?

 

[mete]

Undercut sight means that the front sight has the bottom of the sight more forward than the top .In other words the face is angled back [opposite of the ramp sight].Rear sights are also sometimes made this way.