3 Dot Sight............Question.

[xXxplosive]

After taking my new Glock 30SF to the range for the first time out.....I noticed while trying to align my Glock 3 dot night sights, the front sight appears to be a little lower than the rear 2 dots.....would it be advisable to remove a couple thousands off the front sight in order to raise it front dot....and make it even with the rear for my sight alignment.....
I haven't figured out really where this gun is shooting yet....guess I'll have to bench it but would like to shoot it POA for a combat pistol.

Thanks.....

 

[rcmodel]

No.

Don't try to look at all the sight dots.
The dots are only there for quick & dirty sighting at close range in low light conditions.
Nothing more.

Focus on the front sight only, and let the rear sight & target blur out slightly.

The human eye can only focus on one thing at a time, and that has to be the front sight.

Most likely, if you file off the front sight to make the dots line up, the gun will shoot very high.

rc

 

[9mmepiphany]

Please don't.

Shoot it from a rest with the top of the front sight aligned with the top of the rear blade. If that puts your shots where you want , you're all set up.

If your dot's aren't aligned when your sight blades are, I'd black out your rear dots

 

[xXxplosive]

Got it............thanks.
Will give it a try from the bench and see where we go from there.......

 

[SabbathWolf]

Yep. The dots are only for close range in the dark at a big target.
Use the irons the same way you'd use "standard" irons, and ignore the dots.

 

[spanishjames]

Ok, I feel like a dummy. I always thought the white dots were there to be aligned. No wonder......

 

[Doghandler]

Why I do not prefer the three dot setup.

 

[AK103K]

I always thought the white dots were there to be aligned.

They are.

Ive used three dot sights for a long time, and I actually pick up the dots before I see a traditional sight picture.

As far as I can remember, all my thee dot sights shot to the front dot when aligned, and not the top of the blade.

 

[Brian Williams]

I like three dot setup for only one reason, they are cheap and quick to use. I prefer a black square notch rear with a gold bead on the back face of a square front sight.

 

[SabbathWolf]

They are.

Ive used three dot sights for a long time, and I actually pick up the dots before I see a traditional sight picture.

As far as I can remember, all my thee dot sights shot to the front dot when aligned, and not the top of the blade.

Sights vary by manufacturer.
For instance, the 3-dot tritium sights for an HK USP made by Meprolight don't line up perfectly. The front dot sits higher.
But it's no big deal either way...as long as they are close at short distance in low light aimed at a "human" size target.
3-dot systems were NEVER meant for precision target shooting.
They are a "combat only" type thing.

 

[Redlegvzv]

Great thread. I learned something here. I learned by trial and error to focus only on the front sight. Nice to have the 'whys' explained.

 

[SabbathWolf]

Great thread. I learned something here. I learned by trial and error to focus only on the front sight. Nice to have the 'whys' explained.

Focusing on the front sight is the best way to do it whether you have dots or not.
You got it right!

 

[xXxplosive]

Yup.............the dot on my front post is a tad higher than the dots on my rear sight.
Wouldn't that cause the muzzle to shoot lower when they are aligned...?
And at what distance does the 3 dot system come into it's own..... 20 feet and under maybe...?

 

[SabbathWolf]

Yup.............the dot on my front post is a tad higher than the dots on my rear sight.
Wouldn't that cause the muzzle to shoot lower when they are aligned...?
And at what distance does the 3 dot system come into it's own..... 20 feet and under maybe...?

Well...from "my" experience only, once again the answer to that question depends on the manufacturer of the sights in question.
Also barrel length and the specific load you are firing.
But in general, the dot system is designed to deliver adequate hits on a human torso @ 25 meters or less.
It will still work farther out, but that's not the overall intended purpose.

 

[9mmepiphany]

And at what distance does the 3 dot system come into it's own

I don't think it ever has an advantage over conventional sights, as they are slower to perceive as aligned. It was an idea which became very popular, because it seemed reasonable and gave a sense of control to the shooter.

It requires a conscious effort when the action should be almost subconscious

 

[xXxplosive]

The advantage is in low light conditions when black sights can not be seen......IMO.

 

[SabbathWolf]

The advantage is in low light conditions when black sights can not be seen......IMO.

Correct.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Oops, I forgot we were talking about night sights, I was thinking simple 3-dot contrast sights.

Night sights, I prefer a single dot on the front blade, have an advantage at twilight...when there is enough light to identify your target, but not enough to see the gaps in the rear notch. The most useful thing about night sights is locating your gun in the dark

 

[AK103K]

But it's no big deal either way...as long as they are close at short distance in low light aimed at a "human" size target.

They work farther out than you might think. I dont start switching to a traditional sight picture until about 25 yards. You can easily make good head shots at 15+ yards using them. Quickly too.

I don't think it ever has an advantage over conventional sights, as they are slower to perceive as aligned. It was an idea which became very popular, because it seemed reasonable and gave a sense of control to the shooter.

It requires a conscious effort when the action should be almost subconscious

I havent found that to be the case. I find I take more time trying to get a "perfect" sight picture with the traditional sight picture, where with the dots, they just seem to come together quickly, naturally, and without thought. They may not be the perfect alignment you strive for with the blade and notch, but its more than adequate for making good hits where that front dot is sitting.