[benewton]

Gentleman:

Having just past the big 50, and, while growing older, I refuse to grow up, I find myself finding the front sight on my pistols a bit hard to handle.

Since this is only likely to get worse, I'm thinking of switching to glass on the CCW's. Size is a constraint, of course, since it's normally carried on the strong side hip, outside the belt, and the weapon of choice is the H&K compact, in .40 S&W.

Lasers are out, since during the design and test of these types, I've found that they aren't effective under most, i.e., daylight, conditions.

I'm thinking of eating the bucks for a Taco Optima 2K, or it's modern equivalent, the JJP enterprises version.

Please comment on either the general condition, or the specific sight choice.

Or, if so moved, offer your opinion and your best selection!

So, what say you?

[Marko Kloos]

Those Ashley Big Dot sights are very easy to pick up, especially the tritium versions. I don't like optical sights on CCW guns...they have a tendency to break or run out of juice at the most inopportune moments.

Personally, I think an Ashley Big Dot would be a lot easier to pick up quickly than the little dot on an Optima.

[Derek Zeanah]

Art should chime in here. He's got some nifty glasses that appear to be custom-made for pistol shooting and every-day wear...

[bompa]

I have the Optima on a few guns and like it..Need a couple more
and tried the JP but it didn't work out..For some reason it wouldn't let itself be adjusted to point of impact.. Notice that it is no longer in the Midway catalog..
Firepoint,the original maker of the Optima,is supposed to introduce an improved version in the second quarter of this year..
Needed something yesterday and tried the Docter sight..It is a bit bigger and heaver than the Optima was but it is made of metal and glass not all plastic..The dot is brighter in dim lighting and it just might be worth the bucks it cost..I like it..Saving the pennies to buy another...

[CMcDermott]

I have the optima 2000 on my Kimber Polymer match pistol that I use for Bullseye shooting. Really like the idea, but the aim adjusting system sucks. I have looked at the Docter Optics website (http://www.docteropticsusa.com/), they are expensive, especially for the waterproof versions, but hopefully you would get what you pay for with them.

bompa - How does one adjust the Docter sight? Is it similar to the first Optima - where the windage adjustment requires tighting two screws against each other, or to the Optima 2000 where you have a single windage screw and a single elevation screw? Do the adjustment screws have "clicks" to them, or are they like the Optima's and are continous turning? Do they have the huge adjustment range of the Optima 2000?

[bompa]

There are differences and simiarities..The windage and elevation
are the same as,one for each..There are also a set of lock screws
on the back of the housing that secure the adjustments..The adjustment is the same as any other sight not backwards like the Optima..The Docter is a bit bigger and heavier than the Optima and the mounts do not interchange..The Docter is made of metal and glass not all plastic..It also stays brighter in dim light also..
It may be more expensive than the Optima,witch you know is no longer available,but it seens to be worth the difference..

[WESHOOT2]

I find my front sights getting harder to see so I find myself altering them to be brighter; I will resist the Borg sights until I am totally assimilated :what: :cool:

[benewton]

Looks like the Docter is the way to go, even more so since I could get the USP, and, hopefully, USPC bases.

Now, if I could just get the price down...


Thanks, guys!

[bompa]

WESHOOT let me be the first one to welcome you to the old eyes
club..It is a group that all of us will be members of sooner or later.. In a sense we are much luckier that shooters of our age twenty years ago,they didn't have red dots to fall back on..
Hopefully IDPA will create a class for older shooters that will allow
the electronic sights..Either that or lose the older shooter..
For the run and shoot crowd the likes of limited ten open would be great for older and some younger shooters...
Shoot well Tim...

[benewton]

I always try to shoot well, but thanks for the wishes.

FWIW, I shoot better without the goggles: about the only thing I can see is the front sight, so don't wake me up!

But there is a problem, and I think that the dots work, know that the lasers don't, and I do think you're right: better alive now than in the "good old days".

[WESHOOT2]

bompa,


Thanks, but I joined this club some years back :cool:

They will never lose this 'older shooter', but I'm definitely losing my front sights LOL.

That said, I am not Borg.
Yet.

(Looked REAL HARD at that new Doctor sight, but ......I.......am.......NOT.......Borg........resisting (not futile the way I do it)........

[bompa]

WESHOOT how does the fiber optic front sights work ?? Maybe allright outdoors but how about in a dim indoor range ??I shoot mostly indoors and the light is not the best but the red dot sights work fine there..
Guess needing bi-focals just makes everything more difficult..
The Borg is the easy way out..

[WESHOOT2]

I have had the opportunity to shoot in the S&W Academy ranges, and as some know a few can get pretty 'dim' :scrutiny:

The optic-rod seems to work well, gathering available ambient light in sufficient 'rods-n-cones' amounts.


BUT


I've also tried BrightSights sight paint and Millett orange-ramp blades (all different guns, because I can) and they, too, offer a distinct improvement over all-back sights.


BUT


At this time I am still wondering if (various) night-sights may offer an even greater low-light option.
(And that Doctor looks sweet, too....)

[bompa]

WESHOOT
Wondered if you ever wandered down this way at all.. Have yet to shoot the S&W range but am told it is fine..
Thought about the optic rod front sight but would have to have a dovetail slot cut in slide and there is no one in the area that I know of to do that..
Tried the big dot sight on the CZ75 but was not pleased..The thing shot a foot high at 25 feet from a rest,not satisfied so went to the Docter and am happy..Had a set of nights on a Smith 9mm
and saw no great advantage as all was a blur anyway..Perhaps the optic rod would be the same..
Always looking for something better