Iron Sights and Glasses

[jlgwiz]

 Not exactly a Handi question but it could apply to a Handi with iron sights and this forum get the most attention.  I wear progressive lenses in my glasses and I have a hard time with open sights.  I am thinking of getting a pair or single vision glasses to use  with open sights.  Should I get the middle range as these would focus on the front sight.  I know the target would then be fuzzy but I have to give up something.  Anyone else run into this problem, what did you do? These would be used for targets at the range not hunting and in this case I do not want to use a scope.

          Thanks    jlgwiz

[trotterlg]

I think you are SOL.  A peep sight is about all that will work for you.  I'm 60, can focus perfect WO glasses on the front sight and open sights still won't work for me.  Try peep sights, they work.  Larry

[Sourdough]

I only wear glasses for driving and flying, but I still can't use iron sights.  Unable to focus on sights and target at the same time.  Happened at about the age of 48.  I have converted to peep sights on the few rifles that I don't want scopes on.  Can see through a peep just fine. 

[Mac11700]

For people with glasses and can't focus on the sites...These little items work pretty good...



Lyman's new Eyeglass Diopter instantly improves eye focus for shooters with prescription glasses. Eliminates target fuzzing and distortion. Mounts directly to the eyeglass lens, rubber suction cup will not scratch lens. It is the ideal product for shooters whose eyes simply don't focus the way they used to.
Item #3112020





http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm

Mac

[greg916]

i had to start wearing glasses about 2 years ago. the only solution i have found to the iron sight problem has been to switch to peep sights. h&r sells the williams fool proof for less than $60. i remove the rear disc and sight through the mounting hole.

[BANG_OW]

Look into a MERIT adjustable rear peep disc. I have one on my Marlin 45-70 and can open the aperture to match the light conditions. They are quickly adjusted and quiet.

[Graybeard]

In reality none of us were ever able to focus on front sight, rear sight and target at same time or for that matter any two of the three unless front and rear were extremely close together. We just THOUGHT we could back when we had better eyesight.

Even with standard open sights the ONLY thing that must be clearly in focus for good accuracy is the FRONT SIGHT. The target should only be mildly out of focus and the rear can also be mildly out of focus and should be. If either the target or rear sight are grossly out of focus that do make it tougher to connect regularly.

These days I can see almost perfectly beyond about 3' or so but the closer an object gets to me the worse out of focus it is and inside 18" I'm near blind. I can see the front sight on rifles quite clearly but on a handgun that barrel needs to be at least 7.5" or 8-3/8" to be clear enough for accurate shooting and 10" or so on a revolver makes a significant difference in my accuracy.

Peep sights of most any kind IF close enough to the eye take out the out of focus condition for the front sight no matter how far it is from you but a peep to work right needs to be fairly close to the eye. It also helps greatly in bringing the target into focus.

[jlgwiz]

 Thanks everyone so much for the info.  Time to make some decisions and do some research.  At this time I have a Win 94 25-35 and a 1903 springfield that I use with  open sights or at least I try.  The 1903 has a peep sight in its array of sights but I have never used it.  Any one know what it would take to get a peep sight on the model 94, my dad bought the gun  new in the late 1940's and I don't want to change it much.  Am also considering a 45-70 barrel for my handi,  can you get a scope rail instead of open sights or would I just have to order it extra an put it on.

         Thanks
           jlgwiz

[quickdtoo]

You can buy cheaters that stick on your glasses, they're just a piece of black self sticking(removable) label material with a small aperture in it, you can make your own also, then strategically locate it on your shooting eye lens. You can test this theory out with a pin hole punched thru a piece of paper, look thru it and you'll see the sights very clearly.

Tim

[Graybeard]

If your Winchester is from the 40s it most likely is already drilled and tapped for the Lyman and Williams receiver peep sights. I think most of the older guns up until recent years were. All of my Marlins are D&T for them.

[bluebayou]

I am not an oldster just yet (but have a lot of mileage) but so no input on the peepsights and stuff......

You can get an scope rail extra from NEF or get the Weaver #82 (the Weaver only has 2 cross slots, though).  As far as I know, the Williams iron sights on the 45/70 barrel are just included in the price, can't hurt to have them.  I can use the iron sights on my 357 barrel with the NEF scope mount still attached, but just barely.  The bigger problem is the Monte Carlo stock is too high for irons.

[ironglow]

   The peep sight works long after other iron sights are deserted simply because as GB said, the eye must let the rear sight go "fuzzy".
  ...The aperture being perfectly round, the eye automatically centers the front sight in the circular aperture..even though it is fuzzy..

[db22]

What trotterlg, ironglow and Graybeard said -- the aperture sight is the way to go. All my rifles that don't wear scopes have a Williams aperture on them. The stick-on aperture that goes on your glasses is great for the range, but pretty inconvenient in the field. Handi-rifles mount the Williams aperture right where it belongs -- close to the eye. You can use a smaller threaded insert for the range, and choose a larger one for hunting, or just use the aperture mount as a ghost ring. The Williams Guide sight is kinda hard to adjust; better to invest in the 5D or FP model.