Hi Viz and Fiber optic Sights, Love 'em or Hate 'em?

[MachtSchnell]

They came standard on my Ruger Mk III and I find them useless on anything past 20-25 yards. The front sight is so huge that it hogs up the majority of the sight picture on targets at 50-100 yards making it quite difficult to produce decent results.

I really don't want to put optics on the Hunter because it's heavy enough as is, and I really enjoy shooting irons. I'm thinking of purchasing a plain front blade sight and possibly filing/narrowing the front post to make a finer sight picture. If I decide to do any competition is this allowed?

Good idea or bad idea?
I was thinking peep sights, but I don't think they will work well on a handgun for anything but bench rest shooting.

 

[niftyvt]

I dont like them because they break easily and often. The only time I think its ok to use them is if you have vision problems and it’s the only way you can see the sights.

 

[RaVis]

Instead of modifying the original sight set, why don't you just purchase the target sights set from Ruger? Midwayusa seems to have a ton to choose from if you don't go directly from Ruger.

 

[august1410]

I have Novak sights on my 1911....the gun came with them. Love 'em.

 

[jonnyl]

I was just thinking about this last weekend. I have the same gun (which I love), but I feel like I could be more precise with different sights. I was chalking it up to me probably not using them properly, so I'll be interested to see what other folks say. There's a review online where the guy absolutely loves the hi-viz sights on the Hunter. He talks about the sights in the 7th paragraph.

http://firearmfun.blogspot.com/2008/11/review-ruger-mark-iii-hunter.html

 

[Intercooler]

I have them on every gun they are offered for.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

50 yards to 100 yards love em. Further hate em.

 

[Blaster229]

I like and trust things that are tried and true and these just aren't and have showed it. YMMV.

 

[ohen cepel]

I don't like them myself, too bright in strong light and I worry about breaking them.

I think they are a cheap way for the makers to put new things out rather than putting good, quality irons on things.

 

[Mossyoak]

I use magnetic hi viz front sight for quick bird acquisition when duck hunting. I like it

 

[MachtSchnell]

I do think that the fiber optic sights are good for quick close range target acquisition, especially on a long gun. But on a handgun punching paper at med-long distance there's no match for a fine set of iron sights.

It's great to hear everyone's input and opinions.

 

[BFMIN]

Love them. Anything over 25 Yds I switch to rifle so it doesn't matter to me how they work at longer ranges.

 

[RaVis]

I do think that the fiber optic sights are good for quick close range target acquisition, especially on a long gun. But on a handgun punching paper at med-long distance there's no match for a fine set of iron sights.

It's great to hear everyone's input and opinions.

I found out from the ruger forum that you can switch out the blade sight to a squared one (like on target models) without removing the whole rear sight - this is available to you on the Ruger site. Try that out before deciding to switch the front.

 

[MachtSchnell]

I might give that a look as I seem to be more proficient with square cut rear sights than the v-notch style.

 

[HT4]

They came standard on my Ruger Mk III and I find them useless on anything past 20-25 yards. The front sight is so huge that it hogs up the majority of the sight picture on targets at 50-100 yards making it quite difficult to produce decent results.

Love em... but then again, I rarely shoot pistols 50-100 yards.

 

[jonnyl]

I might give that a look as I seem to be more proficient with square cut rear sights than the v-notch style.

your thread got me researching too, I ordered that replacement RaVis mentioned. Surprisingly it was only about $2.50

It can probably only be changed with a custom $50 tool

 

[MachtSchnell]

your thread got me researching too, I ordered that replacement RaVis mentioned. Surprisingly it was only about $2.50

It can probably only be changed with a custom $50 tool

Care to share where you found this bit? I found it for like $3, but it is on back order.

 

[Marauder]

Hi Viz and Fiber optic Sights.

Not a fan, my gold bead works fine.

 

[Gundahar]

I really like the visibility, but hate the fragility. I eventually removed the one that I had, despite being very satisfied with it.

I'm one of those guys who need a little help with the vision--but there are other ways that work just the same that don't rely on such a breakable part.


Gundahar

 

[jonnyl]

Care to share where you found this bit? I found it for like $3, but it is on back order.

Got it from Ruger's site, but I see it's on back-order now, so I must have gotten one of the last ones. It shipped on the 14th.

http://shopruger.com/MR05901-MK-I-II-MK-III-Target-Sq-Notch-Rear-Sight-Blade/productinfo/61037/