Why peep sights?

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tdstout

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Alright, I know that this might seem close to blasphemy to some of you guys, but I HATE peep sights. I can't hit crap with them. I grew up shooting with the regular old post and notch type sights(not sure what they're actually called), and that's the type that I like. I've been thinking about getting a newer semiauto rifle like an AR-15 or Mini 14, but almost all of the rifles that I've seen here lately have peep sights!!!

Now that I'm done ranting and raving, I guess my question is, how are peep sights, ghost rings, whatever you want to call them, so much better than post and notch types? It seems to me that they would be less accurate since you have to center the post in the middle of a big circle instead of a small notch.
 
Why Not Peep Sights?

Now that I'm done ranting and raving, I guess my question is, how are peep sights, ghost rings, whatever you want to call them, so much better than post and notch types? It seems to me that they would be less accurate since you have to center the post in the middle of a big circle instead of a small notch.
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There's a reason just about every military long arm comes with aperture (aka "peep") sights these days. Likewise olympic style target rifles. Most people (myself included) find peep sights much easier, faster and more accurate to use than traditional open sights.

Open sights require you to focus on the target, front sight and rear sight. With "peeps" you need only focus on the target and front sight. The human eye tends to automatically center the front sight in the aperture of the peep sight. This is much easier for me to do, especially as I get older.

"Ghost Ring" sights are a sort of specialized type of peep sight, with a (relativly) huge rear aperture. They are intended for ultra fast target aquesition at close quaters.
 
you have to center the post in the middle of a big circle instead of a small notch.
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That right there is your problem!!
You don't have to center them, consciously at least.

Your eye will find the exact center of a round hole without you thinking about it, or looking at it.

All you need to do is put the front sight on the target and squeeze.

The rear peep will take care of centering itself quite nicely.

That is why aperture sights have been used in high-level long range target shooting since that shooting discipline was invented.

They are more accurate then open sights.
A good shooter can equal scope accuracy with them.

rc
 
If you are shooting the rifle offhanded, go rest it on bags. The guys are correct. If you look at the target, there is an obvious awareness of the post and less awareness of the peep. However, the brain will assist you greatly in centering the post in the peep circle. So, place the post on the target, focus on the target being aware of the middle of the peep.
 
Ditto to what RC said. They work just fine for me. You just naturally line up and much more quickly so with them. However if you can't use them then you may just be one of those exceptions to the rule or you are just subconciously making it harder than it is.
 
If you can't hit crap with peep sights, you are doing it wrong. Peep sights are vastly superior to your old "post and notch" open sights in every way.
 
In addition to what RC wrote, your depth of field gets longer as you look through an aperture. The smaller the hole, the sharper the target will be while watching the front sight. Target pistol shooters might use an aperture attached to their glasses for this reason.
 
Actually, you should focus on the front sight (just as you do with open sights. The target should be blurred, and the aperture a mere haze around the target.
 
The problem is that you are not using them correctly. Generally speaking I like low powered optics for close shooting, but good peep sights are almost as accurate, especially in good light. You will find traditional iron sights are almost useless once you learn how to shoot peeps right.
 
tiny little hole. To look through it at all you need to be centered on it. IOW, your eye becomes your "rear sight" as your head is perfectly positioned on the rifle. So you just put the post where you want to hit and squeeze the bangswitch. Notch rear sights give you something extra to do, so not having one there might be a bit odd at first, but if you give them an honest shot you will probably like them.

If not, I'm sure you can find a rail-mounted notch somewhere, or just get a ghost ring and file the top half of it off.
 
Biggest advantage is the the aperture ("peep") sight has a longer sight radius. It can also be mounted closer to the eye as the shooter simply looks through the aperture. I find aperture sights to be faster and more accurate and is my favorite iron sight. Then again, the BB gun my dad got me as a kid was a Crossman M1 Carbine with aperture sights and who knows how many tens of thousand BBs I sent downrange with it.

An aperture sight is an aperture sight, regardless of diameter. "Ghost Ring" is just a way to describe a large aperture just as "Match" is a way to describe a small aperture
 
Dunno if it's just my eyes, or an intended optical quality of peep sights, but i've found that in good light, a peep creates a mirage effect which produces a "dark spot" in the exact center of the circle, which i can then superimpose over the tip of the post (in the case of my HK diopter sight on my PTR, at least) to get a fairly consistently centered point of aim.

Anyone else notice or utilize this optical effect with peeps?
 
Aperture sights work very well in good conditions, but they have two drawbacks. They might not let enough light reach your eye in low light conditions and they can become clogged with snow, rain or even mud. I discovered these shortcomings while hunting with my Garand.
 
Driftertank wrote:

Dunno if it's just my eyes, or an intended optical quality of peep sights, but i've found that in good light, a peep creates a mirage effect which produces a "dark spot" in the exact center of the circle, which i can then superimpose over the tip of the post (in the case of my HK diopter sight on my PTR, at least) to get a fairly consistently centered point of aim.

Anyone else notice or utilize this optical effect with peeps?
Click to expand...

It could be your eyes. Before I had my cataract surgery, I noticed a dark spot in the center while looking through high-magnification optics, and also in the center of pinholes (such as peep sights). This disappeared after the surgery. How old are you? Have you had your eyes checked for cataracts?
 
Dont feel alone I have a mini 30 with a rear ''peep'' site and I despise it. Biggest @$#%^&* ever invented in my not so humble opinion. Takes too long to find my target and center the post. Guess I'm one or those folks that doesnt ''automacitly'' center with the peep. From the bench taking my time I can hit with it ok but in the woods it's a spray-n-prey weapon.
I've searched around on the web a bit but cant find a notched site to replace it with. Folks have suggested just cutting a notch in the top but it sounds like a Bubba cure to me. As for scopes the factory mounting system just places them to high for my taste.
 
You guys that have trouble with peep sights really need to get some instruction on the subject. An Appleseed would be a good idea. You'll really love it when the light comes on. ;)
 
At my age, I prefer scopes to either peep or open sights, though I can shoot fairly well with either. I'm just very used to scopes, having been a surveyor and able to pick up targets in all conditions with higher-powered scopes than most people.

Red dot sights seem to work well, especially for older people who haven't used scopes much.
 
I've never been checked for cataracts, but if i point out the effect to other people when they use my rifle, most can see it as well. It's not a real DARK spot, extremely faint, and only in bright lighting conditions.

Of course, being an HK pattern rifle, the front post is in a ring that makes centering in the peep a piece of cake anyway.
 
i loved the peep sights on my bushy dissapator--easy to focus and very accurate to 100yds. got a tommy gun (semi)--peeps work for me on that also.:D
 
OP how old are you?
Wait until your eyes begin to go south and you will begin to understand aperture sights
 
Kyle Lamb at VTAC designed a rear peep sight that had a notch cut into the top of it. It was designed for CQB distances, but it might be an alterative for you. XS Sights produces them.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
 
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