question about sighting

[buy guns]

when shooting a gun for the first time what is the proper way to adjust the sites? the gun in question has adjustable rear sights with a fixed front.

when lining up the target, are you supposed to cover the target with the front post or put the front post just below the target?

 

[JoeHatley]

Either way is fine. I prefer to adjust to point of aim, but a lot of target shooters use the 6:00 hold. Just experiment for a while and you'll find which is more comfortable for you.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Jim Watson]

Assuming you are shooting at a black-on-white bullseye at a suitable range for the diameter of the target and that you have correct Patridge type sight alignment with the top edge of the front blade level with the top edge of the rear sight and centered side-to-side, then...

There is the 6 o'clock hold with the whole bullseye perched on top of the front blade. Bullets are actually striking about 3" high above the sight blade on a regular NRA target but it is a very precise and repeatable sight picture for shooting that target at that range.

There is the center hold with the bullseye divided in half by the top edge of the front sight. Bullets are striking in the center of the target and right at the top of the blade. I think it better for combat or hunting if your bullet hits right where the sight was at usual ranges.

In NO case should you have to cover up the target (or any more than the bottom half of a bullseye) with the sight in order to hit. Unfortunately, the three-dot sights popular now tend to get you to shoot that way. OK for fast shooting at close range in poor light, but not for general use. I would adjust colored sights to shoot to the top of the blade and if I got in such a rush that I put the spot on the target, then it (he) would probably be so close that a slightly high point of impact would not matter much.