"Pointing" a shotgun.

[Snarlingiron]

So, today I went to shoot sporting clays. I'm thinking of buying a Beretta O/U, so I rented one from the club. 686 White Onyx, 30" barrels, well used and pretty much neglected. Surface rust on the rib, the nice finish on the receiver was dark and dull from lots of hands carrying it. However, it locked up tight as could be and performed flawlessly. Gotta tell ya, I could learn to live with this. Anyway, we headed out to the course and around station 5 I noticed that the front bead was missing. I have said for a long time, that I didn't have any recollection of seeing the front bead when I shoot. Evidently that is so, because I certainly didn't miss it. I was the top shooter in our squad of three.

So, in spite of the fact that I can't shoot with both eyes open, and I wink when I shoot, I am clearly pointing, not aiming.

This has been an interesting evolution. When I first started shooting clay games, I struggled with cross eye dominance, and put one of the Easy Hit sights on my shotguns. I still have one on one of my guns, but I don't see it anymore.

 

[52grain]

I shoot better when I squint (not close) one eye. Anyway, If my bead were to fall off I doubt that I would notice it.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Good job! You've become "old school".

 

[MCgunner]

Yeah, beads are decoration for the most part. I don't notice 'em, point and shoot. Fit is everything, though. If the gun fits proper, it perfectly aligns when it comes to the shoulder.

I am cross eye dominate to the point that I learned to shoot left handed. My left eye is not only dominant, but I can't see squat out of my right. I took up bows again last year, broke out my old recurve. I've always shot 'em right handed, guess I COULD try left draw, but I'd have to get used to it and I'd need a new left hand bow. Anyway, I'd never used bow sights, didn't figure I'd be able to with my pathetic right eye. Well, I've been doing pretty good with that, but I think I could do better if my vision were better. I have noticed, though, since I've been using it, it has been getting a little stronger. It'll never be what my right eye is, though. It's good enough for the bow, but I'll keep shooting my firearms with my left eye.

 

[ArmedBear]

Personally, I find the Beretta to be about the most naturally-pointing O/Us out there. I suspect that makes it feel "right" to point the gun.

Good job! Glad you're having fun.

 

[Harley Man]

During a tactical shotgun class I took not long ago, not one time did the instructor mention the bead on the end of the barrel. Weather you are at the low ready (gun barrel down) or high ready (gun barrel up) it's pretty much rotation of the weapon on the axes of your trigger finger and barrel alinement onto the target. I never once looked at the bead on the barrel and I did fine.
Harley Man
Proud Viet Nam Vet

 

[mgkdrgn]

Personally, I find the Beretta to be about the most naturally-pointing O/Us out there. I suspect that makes it feel "right" to point the gun.

Good job! Glad you're having fun.

+1 on that.

I had never handled one until two weeks ago when I picked up three that I am handling on a consignment sale. 2 12g OU's and one 20g semi auto. Just beautiful beautiful guns, and all three were "right on" when brought to shoulder, and all three solid as a brick s__t house. I might just have to get one someday.

(pssst .. if you wanna see 'em, they are on gunbroker. mgkdrgn as seller)

 

[MCgunner]

I just MADE my Mossberg fit with shims. My Winchester 1400 and son-in-law's 1300 right out of the box are perfect, though.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 1300 was a very nice gun. Wish I would have bought one instead of the Express I got -- not that the 870 doesn't work, but the 1300 was a nicer gun for close to the same price. And the 870 Express is still readily available.

Anyone try the Turkish replacement for it yet?

And why, exactly, does Brownchesterstal put such flat stocks on their semiauto shotguns now?

 

[d2wing]

I am fond of my Onyx 686. I was a certified instructor and we taught people to shoot
shotgun with a bb gun without any sights at all. Most people can learn to point shoot
as it is something we do naturally with practice.