TargetTalk

While doing some reading I came across some values for a "correct" Front Post dimension, the old research values done in yards suggests 3/16'' for 25yards and 1/10" for 50 yards which was compromised into 1/8".

Is there any science behind these suggestions?
Can you share links or titles of articles?

New Research points to values of:
10 Meters - 4.5mm
25 Meters - ?
50 Meters - 5mm

Most 50 meter free pistol in the States is done at 25 yards, with a scaled target, should a Front Post size for 25 meters be used instead?
Or is the size in relation to target the constant?

Although there are plenty of personal variations, most folks seem to prefer a front sight that is about the same width as the black. As a result, it depends on the distance & the target, and to some extent, the length of your arm.

The front sight should be approx. the width of the black. It is a perceived image that also will change with light levels as well as arm lenght, distance, barrel length, glass lens etc.
Try different width sights on each pistol and vary the rear sight width to suit the ambient conditions.

David M



Joined: 24 Mar 2004
Posts: 225

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:50 pm Post subject: sight width

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The front sight should be approx. the width of the black. It is a perceived image that also will change with light levels as well as arm lenght, distance, barrel length, glass lens etc.
Try different width sights on each pistol and vary the rear sight width to suit the ambient conditions.

This is the most complete and accurate answer I have seen to such a question.

Recaping:
Front sight post, once you have aligned your gun with the target, should be of the size your eye perceives the width of the black area of the target to be, at the front sight location!
This is a relative size for each person because of many factors such as, arm length, distance, barrel length, glass lens, target size, etc..

Thank you.

I've played around with these things some time ago, and somof you may be surprised that for most people "same width as the black" translates into a rather wide front sight. For me the "correct" size for 10m AP is approximately 7 millimetres.

And yes, this means you'll probably have to make your own.......

I like a wide picture and use 4.5mm for AP and have the backsight at 5mm. We have a club training aid for beginers with a wooden pistol and huge sights (like 1 inch forsight), I love it and have often thought of building a set as big as I could get and it still fit the box.
Best regards
Robin