Pistol Sights Useful for the Visually Impaired?

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Today I bought a HiViz sight kit for my Ruger GP100 because I have trouble seeing the iron sights much of the time and the factory sights fill in the entire width of the view. Have not had it to the range yet,but I cannot figure out how to change the tubes with the included "key" supplied for that purpose. Does anyone have a link to a vid showing how? The packaging stated that the initial replacement of the stock sight with the HiVis should be performed by a gunsmith,but I was able to switch them out in about 20 seconds. Just can't figure out how to change out the various fiber optic tubes supplied.
Anyone using this sight care to give your opinion on how well you like it?
Thanks

Bill

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

SZ,I have the same problem and find that wearing reading glasses works best for me.

Bill

 

[smince]

I had no idea anybody used reflex sights on defensive pistols until this thread.

Google the name Kelly McCann/Jim Grover. He's been using a Doctor Optic on his G19 for quite a while. Bowie Tactical has been doing the melt-in milling on the slide for a while. The RMR is relatively newer than the other sights, so mounting it is a recent event. I believe it to be a stronger and better option overall.

 

[Harvey]

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

Heavens no. Just like any other dovetail installation, the sight is [B]press fit[/B], and then adjusted for windage by mallet and drift pin (small punch) at the range; then secured with the set screws.

A first class installation, IMO.

Be aware that you may need to send your slide to XS Sights for machining and install. I know this to be true for 1911 with a new Novak cut, but for your Baretta? ... not sure. Looks like you just replace your OEM sights at home. But a quick and easy turn-around, in any event.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

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.

I suggest you call customer service at XS Sights Systems. This is how I had to order the non-tritium big dot sight system for my KWA airsoft Glock 19.

As for batteries suddenly failing on an electronic sight, I suggest they be replaced periodically (semi-annually or quarterly, or whatever periodicity makes you comfortable). Batteries are a maintenance issue, not a performance issue with the sight.

Cheers!

 

[REAPER4206969]

Heavens no. Just like any other dovetail installation, the sight is press fit, and then adjusted for windage by mallet and drift pin (small punch) at the range; then secured with the set screws.

XS sights should be fit to where they slide in with only finger pressure. They, unlike other sights, are machined out of bar stock steel and will not press into the dove tail.

Q: Is it OK to use a sight pusher to install XS sights?

A: Not really. Sight pushers are a handy tool to easily move an already installed sight the small amount needed to regulate windage correctly. Sight pushers are a simple screw jack which has a very large mechanical advantage and can apply a great deal of force on a small area with an easy twist of the fingers. It is difficult to “feel” how a sight is going into the dovetail.

Other maker’s sights have been manufactured to allow them to be installed with a sight pusher. One version will have a hollow area under them to allow the sight to compress and go on into the dovetail. Other manufacturers will build the sights out of soft steel so the excess material will readily shave off as the sight goes into the dovetail.

We don’t think having sights made from malleable steel is a good thing so we build our sights from solid bar stock. Solid steel does not readily compress or bend. They are designed to be fitted in the traditional manner. If you use a sight pusher to install our sights in a dovetail without checking and altering the sight to correctly fit the slide dovetail you will most likely damage or break the sight. The sight will start in the dovetail due to the chamfered edges and then the power of the sight pusher will bend or break the sight when it binds up unless it is fitted properly.

http://www.xssights.com/faqs.html#faq2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISUMmXiZMGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAahHP7z7so&feature=related

 

[GLOOB]

Slide/barrel length is your friend. A longer gun makes it infinitely easier to point shoot and aim. Also, IME, a bigger, squarer grip helps, too.

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.

^^ THIS. Just leave the front sight high. And put the point of aim lower to compensate. Then you keep your front sight highly visible. With a sight radius of at least 6-7", this is just a minor adjustment. Think shotgun sighting rib. This is the same way you shoot a shotgun, it's just the shorter the barrel, the less practical this becomes. I find I do not like this method on compact pistols, but it's great for full length pistols, esp when shooting moving targets.

 

[Just One Shot]

I personally like the TFO's by TruGlo.

 

[senzor]

SZ,I have the same problem and find that wearing reading glasses works best for me.

Bill

I'm actually nearsighted on top of the optic atrophy. I wear prescription safety glasses, but I might as well try with regular safety glasses and see if I can get a better focus on the front sight.

As for batteries suddenly failing on an electronic sight, I suggest they be replaced periodically (semi-annually or quarterly, or whatever periodicity makes you comfortable). Batteries are a maintenance issue, not a performance issue with the sight.

I hadn't thought of that. I still am not sure why the laser died like it did, and I want to be sure there is nothing wrong with it. Thanks for the advice though.

I will probably be going with an experienced gunsmith on the sight install just to be sure. Still, its interesting that the XS sights are installed like that.

^^ THIS. Just leave the front sight high. And put the point of aim lower to compensate.

Considering that the XS sights are meant to be used in a somewhat similar manner without affecting point of aim, I'm going to count this as a vote for the XS sight set.

I personally like the TFO's by TruGlo.

I came very, very close to paying a machinist to modify a set of TruGlo TFOs for the USP to fit the front and rear dovetails on the Brigadier slide. I still think that is a good option. I would like to hear how TFOs have worked for any visually impaired members here. Still, they aren't made for the Beretta 92, and its a bit less money and risk to purchase XS Big Dots that are and just have them put on. The support for them in this thread has been pretty good.

 

[19&41]

I've had one of my lasergrips fail like that on a S&W 65. One battery moved out of place and lost contact. When I install the batteries on any of my grips now, I use a piece of mylar tape to provide a bit of fail-safe retention. It's thin and doesn't leave any residue. I haven't had that failure happen again after 7 years of use. If you want some, I can try to dig up the link for a cheap source of the tape.

 

[senzor]

That would be nice if you could do that.

On my LG-402Ms, the batteries seem to fit very snugly in their little compartments, to the point I needed to use a knife blade to pry the old ones out.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to be a little more safe.

 

[19&41]

Here is the source I use. This tape doesn't leave adhesive, slide, and will not tear easily. I also like that it insulates the batteries from the frame. It is also good for protecting metal surfaces from abrasions. The retail price on this is extremely high and this is the lowest I have found.

http://www.surplussales.com/RF/RFTeflon-Mylar.html

I use the polyamide tape.

 

[cfrank]

Visually impaired?

I hope this thread is still alive. I have 20/70 in my good eye dominant right, and I'm beginning to accumulate a drawer full of sights, big dots, fibre optic, etc. I'm now considering the triangular Sure Sight. Has anyone had any experience with these?http://www.suresight.com/

 

[rcmodel]

Save your money.
If all those other sights proved unsatisfactory, a gimmick triangle sight isn't going to help any either. If they really worked as advertised all the top level competition shooters would be using them.
But they aren't.

If sharp front sight focus is giving you problems, get a Merit Iris attachment for your glasses.
http://www.meritcorporation.com/

It is almost sure to help to sharpen the front sight for range use, although you wouldn't have it in a SD situation.
But at close SD range it really shouldn't matter that much if you can see the front sight at all.

rc

 

[cfrank]

visually impaired?

Thanks for the reply, RC. Thats exactly the kind of straightforward advice I was looking for. I have seen the Merit device advertised somewhere on-line and, based on your observations, I'll give'er a whirl!

 

[JohnBiltz]

My eyes are going as well and I'm sensing you are only concerned with SD shooting. Have you considered ditching the sights and putting a bead like a shotgun where your front sight is. You are already using a laser so this would be your back up. Should be good for back up self defense shooting out to 7 yards with a little practice.

 

[cfrank]

Yes, I have considered the bead-type sight as well as many others. Point is that I don't want to spend so much time and money searching for the Holy Grail of sights that I could have bought a new Kahr or Kimber. Beginning to think that my expectations are unrealistic, not going to "drive tacks", although I have been tutored by an NRA instructor in point shooting, and my groups and accuracy have improved with practice, even farther than 7 yards, but not much farther.

Thanks for the observation, John.