Sad realization

[Jeff olson]

I've come to the conclusion that my old eyes just ain't up to using iron sights much longer. Took my better half out today for some range time and while running my Arsenal slr-95 I realized I'm just not what I used to be. Managed to put every single rd on paper, but at 25 yds it was minute of pumpkin. My scoped marlin 39a however made me look like I knew what I was doing. I do however, really really like that Arsenal. Time for some optics.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Right there with you Jeff. About ten years ago I decided the same thing. Scopes on just about all rifles. Simply couldn't pick up the irons any longer. Didn't want to scope my lever guns, but, I'm way past that now. I can see and hit my targets. Get the optics.

 

[valnar]

About 8 years for me so far, in my 50's. I won't mangle ALL my firearms, but many of them now have red dots or similar at a minimum. I'm guessing this wasn't a problem 100 years ago when life expectancy beat out aging eyes, but then they didn't have the technology either.

 

[adcoch1]

I have a long way to go before I can't use sights, but my eyes ain't 18 anymore either. So I've been playing with different sight systems on rifles and handguns so I have an idea of what the best options will be when I HAVE to have an optic of some sort. So far small, low power scopes are my favorite, need to try one on a handgun...

 

[Jonny2guns]

Makes me feel old to say it, but I haven't been able to see my irons for the last 2 years it's red dot, optic, or point and shoot and hope for the best.

 

[Armored farmer]

Same here guys.
I’m still using irons on my traditional bp guns but it’s an effort. Most rifles and slug guns have scopes. None of my leverguns yet, but the 336 might get a low power scope. The 94s probably won’t.

 

[Stevel]

2 years ago couldn't see through the rear sight on an '03A3 at twilight. No deer for me.

Can see ok during the day though.

 

[Rex in OTZ]

Just turned 56, my eyesight is not as good as when I was 28.
At first tried reciver peep sights.

Scopes and optical (reflex) sights work.
They also market a magnafied reflex sight.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I been upgrading to fiber optics or adding a scope.

 

[e rex]

I shoot a 4" 686 a lot (or did before primers got too expensive) . I had trouble with the sights so got a pair of 1.5x reading glasses form Menards. I see the sights just fine and let the target blur a bit. It has helped me a whole bunch. I'll be 80 mid November.

 

[James Fonteneaux]

Working on my 47th trip around the sun, I feel your pain gentlemen. I've taken to painting the front sight posts of my handguns with day glow orange nail polish. Long guns get a green dot at least, usually a scope if any kind of distance is involved. I also like the fiber optic sights for daytime use. It is what it is...

 

[halfmoonclip]

An aperture rear sight solves the problem for me. You need not actually see the peep sight; you simply let your eye center itself on the aperture. Then the front sight post should be far enough away to see it.
The peep itself tends to extend the depth of field.
XS makes a 'skunk stripe' front sight that shows up better than a plain, black post. I've used them on a number of ARs; they screw in, just like the OEM sights.
Moon

 

[someguy2800]

I’m only 35 but pretty badly near sighted. I used to be able to do pretty good out to 100. Then it was 50. Now it’s about 25 if I need to shoot groups. I need glasses and I’m thinking about getting a pistol with a mini red dot

 

[David Hoback]

Yerp! Been like that for me for some time. My right eye is corrected with astigmatism. And I lost my left eye in 2010.. 100% blind. I can hit a man sized target at 25yds with pistol & 100yds with a rifle. But not looking at groups here! I do enjoy my optics. Better sight acquisition & consistency in my use.

 

[Speedo66]

Welcome to the club!

Scopes and red dots are where I'm at on everything but carry guns, just sight over the barrel for those.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I have excellent vision. Or at least anywhere beyond 6" from my face... Ive always struggled with irons on some guns but not others. The AR is the worst. Sks and stevens 22/410 are perfect. So whats the deal?

The deal is their rear sights are more than 6" from my face. The AR was about 3 or 4" from my face and i just cant focus on the rear sight. So i moved the sight forward, about centered over the ejection port and viola! I can shoot again!

Not sure if it will help folks with eyes more elder than mine, but its worth trying.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

We had a recent discussion about this on my single shot Facebook group -- have you tried mounting an adjustable aperture such as the old Merit design your shooting glasses? After I tried one, I invested in the more elaborate prescription shooting glasses with an iris attachment shown in my avatar.



https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015167397

https://freelandssports.com/product/jaggi-nova-shooting-glasses-for-pistol-shooters/

 

[Tallinar]

I’m just a few years behind you, I expect. I’ve moved to receiver mounted peeps or barrel mounted ghost rings in the past few years.

I’ve never cared for the aesthetics of a rifle with a scope (except for actual milsurp “sniper” rifles), and I’ve never bought a rifle that didn’t have iron sights. But I’m recently contemplating my first ever scoped rimfire bolt action purchase for just this kind of purpose..

 

[berettaprofessor]

What’s with the anti-scope discrimination undertone here? Y’all sound like a bunch of ATF’ers against braces! Scopes are a great boon for all of us with ocular disability. Heck even regular people enjoy using them!

 

[Archie]

Well into my eighth decade, I distinctly remember being age forty-four when my presbyopia became significant.
I now wear 'reading' glasses to properly see the sights for any iron sighted firearm. As I have astigmatism, they have to be prescription.

I don't bounce as well as I did when I was eighteen, either.

 

[kidneyboy]

Jeez guys, it's the 21st century. If your eyes aren't what they used to be get glasses, have surgery or get an optic of some sort. Lots of options that were not available just a couple of decades ago. All that's standing in your way is your own mindset.

 

[TonyAngel]

Jeff, I am in the same boat as you and I'm a big fan of magnification these days. For me, I use a red dot for out to 50 yards or so and magnification for beyond. On rigs that are usually shot out to about 100 yards, I've found the little 1.5x ACOG to be to just perfect. That little bit of magnification works wonders and the eye box and eye relief are very forgiving.

 

[David Hoback]

Jeez guys, it's the 21st century. If your eyes aren't what they used to be get glasses, have surgery or get an optic of some sort. Lots of options that were not available just a couple of decades ago. All that's standing in your way is your own mindset.

I’m pretty sure that’s what we are all doing… Where is the “whoa is me, my eyes are so bad so I can’t shoot anymore!”, that you are implying?? Oh, and BTW: All those options WERE available a couple decades ago. Because “a couple decades ago” was still the 21st century! LOL!

You are a young’un aren’t you?

 

[kidneyboy]

You are a young’un aren’t you?

Ha! If 67 is young, and at times it seems like it here, then I am a young'un.

 

[Riomouse911]

Peeps, scopes, fiber optic sights, red dots (on my semi-auto centerfires, just getting into handguns with them) are pretty much my go-to as well.

The non-AE 1894’s will stay open sighted only because that is how I like them, so I will limit those to 100 yds, etc. All the others will be improved to better meet my needs for further distances .

Stay safe.