Fastest Gun

[MinScout]

I conducted a little experiment the other day. I picked up eight different rifles, four scoped and four unscoped and mounted each one repeatedly to determined which was the fastest in target aquisition. My fastest scoped rifle was clearly my 10/22 "Walmart Special" with a Bushnell 4X. (followed, surprisingly by an M38 Swedish mauser with an ancient J. C. Higgins 2.5X scope.) My fastest iron-sighted rifle was my 94 Winchester carbine with a "ghost ring" peep. Conclusions:
1. I'm surprised my much-touted scout scoped rifles were not faster than they were. Probably due to poor stock fit. 2. The Ruger 10/22 and Winchester 94 are popular for a reason. 3. The "ghost ring" is the fastest iron sight available. 4. I have way too much time on my hands.

 

[Cosmoline]

It's an interesting experiment. I've always found light-weight iron sighted rifles faster than scoped ones. Scout-style mounts are faster than traditional scopes, but are still going to be slower than iron sights because your eyes must adjust to the optics.

The fastest in-the-hand rifle I've shot is the Savage '99. The loaded balance is towards the shooter, not out in the tube, which makes it even faster than a tube-fed levergun.

 

[MinScout]

It's an interesting experiment. I've always found light-weight iron sighted rifles faster than scoped ones. Scout-style mounts are faster than traditional scopes, but are still going to be slower than iron sights because your eyes must adjust to the optics.

The fastest in-the-hand rifle I've shot is the Savage '99. The loaded balance is towards the shooter, not out in the tube, which makes it even faster than a tube-fed levergun.

I agree. One of the best fitting rifles I ever handled was a Savage 99. The Winchester Model 100 was pretty good too, as I recall.

 

[JohnKSa]

My SA-85M with the original thumbhole stock takes first place. That's the main reason I haven't converted it to a more standard looking AK stock configuration.

Second place goes to my M38 Swedish Mauser.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It's always interesting which gun/sight combo's are fastest in acquisition for each person, but there are certain combinations that will just work better period. A monte-carlo stocked bolt gun with a 4.5-14x50mm scope will never be as quick as an iron-sighted levergun. It comes down to natural postition and optical perception. With any type of magnified optics, the acquisistion will be slower. With any rifle that has a high cheek piece in relation to the sights, acquisition will be slower. The more naturally the gun/sight combination fits your body, the faster you will be on target. For me my AR-10A2 carbine with 1x red dot sight is fastest, even over iron sighted leverguns. Why? The sights are high enough that I do not have to drop my face down and the stock can be adjusted so that my position does not need to be. Also, pistol grips allow the hand to assume a more natural position.

These facts are easily seen in the world of competitive shooting, where aesthetics are a non-issue and fit is everything. Some of those guns are just plain unsightly, but they fit the shooter perfectly and that eliminates variables.