Pistol Sights Useful for the Visually Impaired?

[senzor]

My vision is 20/200 and I have owned a Beretta 92 Elite since last August. I have used a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips the entire time, and they have allowed me to shoot well at 7 yards, the distance I normally shoot at. I'm not sure how much further out I could do well at, as I really haven't tried.

Advice generally given for using Lasergrips is that one must practice with just sights regularly enough to be proficient for the hypothetical eventuality that the Lasergrip dies at the wrong moment. I have not done this.

The standard sights that came on my Beretta are hard for me to use. I am pretty much incapable of focusing on the front sight when looking at it from between the rear sights. On the rare occasion that I do use the sights, I have to hold the pistol at an upward angle and focus on the front sight, then bring the front sight down to the same level as the rear sights, keeping the rear sights over the target. As ridiculous as this is, I can generally do okay like this at seven yards. The problem is, it takes a few seconds for me to do this little sighting routine. That's not really good enough for me.

My Lasergrips died during a recent range trip. After replacing the batteries, they were not as bright as they had been. Comparing them to a Laserguard on a pistol the next lane over confirmed this. I am waiting for batteries from Crimson Trace to show up at the store I shoot at before I pass final judgment and send the grips back to Crimson Trace.

I realize the predicament I have put myself in, and I need advice on sights for a Beretta 92 Brigadier that would be much easier for me to use. At this point, the decision is between fiber optic front and rear sights or a set of XS 24/7 Big Dot sights. I am leaning heavily towards the Big Dot sights. A big part of this is that I cannot find a set of fibers made for the Brig slide, which kind of makes sense, as the Brig slide hasn’t been made in four years.

I have never actually seen for myself either kind of sights. I am hoping there are some visually impaired people here who might be able to say what works for them and give further advice. I will give thought to any advice put here, but I’m really hoping to get advice from somebody in my shoes, so to speak.


Thanks,

 

[REAPER4206969]

BigDots

/thread

 

[railroader]

Well I wear bifocals and without my glasses I can't see near, far or anywhere in between. On most of my handguns I have gone to fiber optic front sights and plain black rears. The fiber optic really stands out which helps alot for me. Mark

 

[Girodin]

I'd humbly suggest a slide mounted Trijicon RMR. I'm sure some people will bad mouth this style of sight but some very serious no nonsense shooters have gotten on board with the small red dots. I believe they will grow in popularity.

 

[Girodin]

An article on the above style of sights

http://warriortalknews.typepad.com/the-gabe-suarez-blog/2010/04/red-dot-sights-on-pistols-why.html

 

[Sport45]

My vision is 20/200 ...

Is that your corrected vision or are you talking about shooting without your prescription glasses?

I have 20/200 uncorrected vision. Like railroader, I wear bifocals now. The biggest difficulty I have now is tilting my head back far enough to find that "sweet spot" in my progressive bifocals where the front sight comes into focus. If I had the money, I'd get a pair with the reading magnification at the top for range use.

 

[Jed Carter]

For home defense I would get a pump shotgun, for the range get a red dot sight. To be able to see your iron sights do as I did and talk to your eye doctor and get some corrective lenses that work out to end of your arms, it's ok if the target is out of focus.

 

[senzor]

The pistol will be holstered under a shirt, at least around the house, so the RMR is out of the question.

I wouldn't carry a shotgun with me as I move around the apartment, and I'd hate for my apartment to be invaded and me not to be able to get to the shotgun fast enough, or, worse yet, for the shotgun to be more near the criminal than me. (I don't have a safe, by the way.) This is why I wanted to keep a pistol on me at all times.

My vision is 20/200 corrected, so getting glasses more suited to shooting won't help. I have optic atrophy, and at this point there is no treatment.

Anybody have a source for fiber optic sights for the Brigadier slide?

 

[The Bushmaster]

If the Crimson Trace is working for you at 7 yards try moving out farther. If it works at longer ranges...What's the problem? I am very far sighted and can see you at long distances, but can't see my sights at close quarters (arms length). Crimson Trace Grips is my choice...

 

[Shawn Dodson]

XS Sight Systems 24/7 Big Dot Tritium sights, or if you don't want tritium then the plain XS Big Dot Express Sight. It's like having a golf Ball for a front sight.

Website - http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html#order

My vision is 20/200 uncorrected and I train frequently without corrective lenses in case my eyeglasses get knocked off my face or damaged during a fight. I have no problem seeing the front sight, although at close distances like 7 yards, I use a target focus technique instead of focusing on the front sight. (I acquire a hard focus on the aimpoint of my target and see my sights in "soft" focus.)

Good luck!

 

[Girodin]

The pistol will be holstered under a shirt, at least around the house, so the RMR is out of the question.

Not hardly. Those are CCW guns pictured. There is not much size added and the area it is added does not make it a significant impairment to concealment. The gun will still holster just fine.

 

[Harvey]

Double that on the XS Express Big Dot Sight System.

I have a fixed-focus plastic lens implant in my dominant shooting eye (sux), and the XS Express big golf ball bead with the shallow VEE rear sight are fast and easy to acquire. So fast and easy, even with my vision handicap, they allowed me to do reasonably well shooting IPSC Limited with an OM 1911.

Check 'em out. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Harvey]

Not hardly. Those are CCW guns pictured. There is not much size added and the area it is added does not make it a significant impairment to concealment. The gun will still holster just fine.

I can vouch for a system like this, also. I stuck one on my .45 carbine and it works great ... extremely fast acquisition. But the downside to use them as a CCW or bed-stand gun is that you have to turn the darn things ON and OFF. I imagine that would nix the idea.

 

[senzor]

The main issue here is that I don't want to be dependant on something electronic to help me to aim my pistol.

My Lasergrips died on me in a manner that makes me worry. I was firing on the range. It was as bright as always. Then it died during a shot -- bright laser -boom- no laser -- that quickly. I had expected the Lasergrips to fade a bit befrore they went out, giving me advanced warning. With batteries I bought at RadioShack, the laser is now not as bright as it had been prior.

I need to be able to be accurate with just sights. I'll still use the Lasergrips, once I am sure they are working correctly, bur I don't want to absolutely need them.

As for the RMR, I know I can get a version that uses fiber optics and tritium. However, the M&P and Glock that Girodin has shown have obviously had their slides milled to accept the sight. I don't think I am willing to do this to my Beretta's slide. That is big commitment to make before I even try shooting a pistol with a reflex sitght on it for myself. Also, Trijicon does not appear to have a mount for the 92 slide, like they do for the Glocks, M&Ps, SIGs, and etc.

I use the Fist #20, and I have my doubts as to whether or not that sight would fit. I'll get a picture of my own holster up here when i get home. I would probably try various pistol sights before I pay $560 and wait 4 to 6 weeks for a reflex sight. However, a picture of the sight picture through a pistol-mounted reflex sight would be very helpful.

So far, it looks liken I will be going for an XS Big Dot. I would definitely get the 24/7 Big Dot with the tritium. It doesn't appear that standard, non-tritium models are offered on the website, unless I'm missing something. The drop down menu says the rear sight uses a set screw to stay in place. This seems odd, and I'd like to hear from anybody that uses XS sights with a set screw if this changes anything important. Will I need to tighten the screw occasionally?

 

[possum]

weather you have bad eyes or not i highly recommend xs big dot sights, i am 25 and have eyes that are just fine and i have been shooting them for years, and i can really see how they would be great for folks that have eyesight issues. i am also looking into a red dot on a handgun and thinking about running at least one of my guns that way and try it out, i think that might be a good option for you as well.

 

[Girodin]

But the downside to use them as a CCW or bed-stand gun is that you have to turn the darn things ON and OFF. I imagine that would nix the idea.

With a battery life of 17K hours I would not be too worried about just leaving it on. That's approximately 708 days if my math is right. Or one could simply buy the version that does not use batteries but rather uses tritium and a fiber optic.

The main issue here is that I don't want to be dependant on something electronic to help me to aim my pistol.

I understand this sentiment. As noted with the dual-illuminated battery-free model featuring Trijicon fiber optics and tritium you wouldn't be. Even if that were somehow to have an issue there is the white line is on the back. It is the stick to lollipop the front sight. Of course that may be only getting you back to where you started w/o also replacing the front sight.

Yes the slides are milled.

I use the Fist #20, and I have my doubts as to whether or not that sight would fit.

I use a fist holster but not for a Berretta so I'm not sure how it would go.

would probably try various pistol sights before I pay $560 and wait 4 to 6 weeks for a reflex sight. However, a picture of the sight picture through a pistol-mounted reflex sight would be very helpful.

The price is definitely a draw back. Here is the sight picture on one. It should be noted this is only one set up. I've also seen them with a rear sight behind them and the dot co-witness with both. Another set up is to mount a red dot in a rear dove tail.

 

[Girodin]

With a rear sight. These pictures are from the above linked article.

 

[senzor]

Having now actually read the article that Giroden posted, I don't really plan on being in a long-range self-defense shoot.

All the sight pictures I have seen have nothing being aimed at for me to see what that would look like. I'm not really sure the dot stands out.

I do see good reason to learn point shooting and using flash shooting. However, I should be able to handle the fundamentals before attending a class to learn these methods.

 

[smince]

The pistol will be holstered under a shirt, at least around the house, so the RMR is out of the question.

I just put a Jpoint on my Glock 19 as an experiment with the concept Girodin is discussing. It can easily be carried under a shirt concealed, and I was hitting targets from contact distance out to 50 yds with only a short practice session.

But the downside to use them as a CCW or bed-stand gun is that you have to turn the darn things ON and OFF. I imagine that would nix the idea.

Actually, the Jpoint and the LED RMR don't have on/off switches. They power down to a low level when placed in lower light (as in concealed under your shirt/jacket).

The price is definitely a draw back.

While I admit it's not in the same class as the milled RMR, my Jpoint and Glock mount cost less than $300.

It's not for everyone, but I like it. Very much.

 

[Bobo]

These :
http://www.advantagetactical.com/index.htm
or these:
http://www.goshen-hexsite.com/index2.htm
may be of help.

Bobo

 

[Harvey]

So far, it looks liken I will be going for an XS Big Dot. I would definitely get the 24/7 Big Dot with the tritium. It doesn't appear that standard, non-tritium models are offered on the website, unless I'm missing something. The drop down menu says the rear sight uses a set screw to stay in place. This seems odd, and I'd like to hear from anybody that uses XS sights with a set screw if this changes anything important. Will I need to tighten the screw occasionally?

The rear sight actually has two set screws, but they are simply intended to lock the sight into position after final windage adjustment. Tighten with "Lockset" and forget.

 

[senzor]

If I were to go the reflex route, I would definitely need a new holster. Considering the cost of the sight itself, I guess it doesn't matter too much.

Bobo, the sights you listed are certainly interesting, but neither is made for the Brigadier slide. I'd still like to get input from anybody here who has used either for themselves.

Harvey, does that mean the rear sight is loose in the dovetail before the set screws are tightened?

 

[Girodin]

Your fist comes up much higher than mine and has a body shield. Might I suggest a Raven concealment holster if you start looking for new holsters.

All the sight pictures I have seen have nothing being aimed at for me to see what that would look like. I'm not really sure the dot stands out.

I don't have any pics of that or know immediately where to find them sorry. I can say I think the dot stands out but then I have fairly good vision so you may want to look at one first hand to see how it would work for you.

 

[senzor]

I do hope to get to see a reflex sight like that for myself at some point. I had no idea anybody used reflex sights on defensive pistols until this thread. Thanks for helping to open my eyes to this.

Also, Raven concealment apparently doesn't make holsters for Brig slide 92s. I guess this is just something I am going to have to get used to.

 

[TG13]

i think a combo of the XS Big Dot and the Crimson Trace would be more than enough.. although, i'd sight the Crimson Trace in at a farther distance, like 25 yards and use the Big Dots for under 25 yards..

and other than wearing contacts to prevent losing your sight during an altercation, there's only so much you can do.. and it seems like you're doing what you can for what you have..

the Reflex sight is a good idea, and it's becoming more prevalent, the cost is still pretty high.. and will your pistol accept the sight..

most of the reflex sights are mounted on flat top slides.. i.e. Glock, XD, FN.. i don't know how the slide on your pistol would react to the machining/mounting..

and you'd have to get another holster..