Set your sights

After a bit of a break, I'm back to finish up Shooting 101.  We have two items left to cover and today I have some thoughts on Sight Picture.  As I said in The Four Rules, it's rather easy to miss targets even at close range if you don't align the sights properly.  In addition to proper sight alignment, there are a few things you need to know about sight focus.


In the context of handguns, most sight systems consist of a square post front and a corresponding square notch in the rear.  You'll hear them referred to as "iron" sights or "open" sights, meaning a non optical (no lenses, etc.) system.  The shape and width of iron sights vary depending on manufacturer and purpose, with competition target sights being thinner than sights for fast, defensive use.  Regardless, the proper sight picture is achieved when the front sight is centered in the rear notch, and the top of the front sight post is even with the top of the rear sight.  How this sight alignment is superimposed on the target is actually more complicated that you might think.

POA hold, with the sights on target.

Take a look at the three sight pictures above.  Expecting bullets to impact where the crosshairs intersect, #1 is referred to as the “6 o’clock hold.”  It's used by target shooters, who use this routinely on the same targets, with plenty of time for accuracy.  From a defensive shooting perspective, we'll use sight picture #2, also called the "POA" or Point Of Impact hold.  This means that you expect your rounds to impact right on the imaginary horizontal line you created with your front and rear sights.  Sight picture #3 is sometimes called "shooting the dot" and is employed by covering the center of the target with the center of the white dot on your front sight.  It's ok for close up work in a hurry, but will lead to high missed shots beyond hallway ranges.  


Regardless of which sight picture you use, it's necessary to take steps to assure that your bullets impact where you want them to in relation to the sights.  This can be adjusted in several ways.  First, choose the particular load of ammunition you plan to use.  Different brands of factory ammo will group differently, with some loads printing higher on the target than others.  Secondly, the sights can be adjusted for windage, in most cases, by drifting them from side to side with a punch and hammer.

Mechanical alignment aside, it's time to focus (pun intended.)  Look at the sight picture here and notice that the target and rear sight are both represented as fuzzy, while the front sight post is crisply focused. Again regardless of which sight picture you use, this is always the correct procedure. Front sight focus is critical to proper shot placement.


Thats about all I'll say about sight picture for now. Head to the range for some practice, and we'll talk about trigger control next time. Until then, shoot safe and have fun!