Garand peep sights

[plodder]

As a guy rapidly approaching geezerhood, I find that unless a rifle is equipped with a scope I am having increasing difficulty in focusing on the target, front post and rear peep at the same time. I now have to wear "cheaters" or my contacts to read, but my distance vision is still very good.

If I wear my contacts or glasses, I get a very clear view of the rear peep and acceptable focus on the front post, but the target is a blurred mess. If I shoot without glasses or contacts, the target is sharpley in focus but see only blurs of the sights. Any advice or voices of experience out there?

And, exactly what should I be seeing and focusing on with the Garand sights? Should there be some type of "Ghost" ring appearing inside the rear peep aperture upon which I am to align the front post? (stupid question, I know, but I have not been able to find a graphic depiction or photo of the proper technique)

 

[wrench]

Rapidly approaching geezerhood....hmmm, what do you call a female geezer?
Anyway, I'm in your boat regarding seeing the sights on my rifles.
I've learned the best way for me is to correct my vision so the front sight is sharp, rear sight and target are allowed to blur.
I shoot acceptably this way.
Using a peep sight, you don't focus on the aperture, your eye will naturally center the front post in the aperture, which is what you want for a sight picture.
My advice, focus on the front sight.
Good luck

 

[WNTFW]

Front sight on everything. (not shotgun) You never could focus on all 3. The best could do was rapidly shift focus from target - front - rear quick enough to create the illusion you were focusing on all 3.

There are some sights now that are supposed to solve the problem with properly corrected vision.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/05/breakthrough-microsight-technology-improves-iron-sights/

Try putting a pencil line across the face of the front blade. When you are seeing the pencil mark you are in focus

Another thing to look at: I was finding my sight pics a bit 'fuzzy' on an AR. After giving the front post a closer look there was actually lint from the inside of the case. On the Garand I have found some burs/knicks along the edges. Fine stoning just enough to remove the burs sharpend up the look.

SR shooters use sight black so you might consider that. It is soot from a smoker. The other options are Birchwood Casey sight black. I found it to be effective, others say it is trash. Flat black spray paint and even burning MRE spoon. (sounds messy)

 

[WNTFW]

Wrench, Geezeress?

 

[bhk]

You should never be focusing on the back peep, just looking through it. Your eye will automatically center in it. All of your focusing attention should be on the front sight.

 

[White Horseradish]

I am not really in the geezer territory (unless you ask a six year old), but my eyes were never much good. I went to an Appleseed last summer and fond that on the smaller targets I can see the post, but the target itself disappears. Oddly, I can see the targets in the same row to the right and left of it.

 

[plodder]

Female geezer: a "Sheezer"?

 

[dmazur]

For us older shooters, Bob Jones makes a handy thing -

http://www.bjonessights.com/SR.html

It's a lens insert, held in place inside a NM rear sight hood.

Except for John C. Garand matches, it's legal...(of course, NM sights aren't allowed either. )

 

[velocette]

Try using reading glasses of a lesser power than you normally use. I have the same problem with my Garand. I tried using a pair of reading glasses rated at 1.25 diopters and found that I could see both front sight and target acceptably. Not like it was when I was 22 but acceptably.

Roger

 

[wrench]

Female geezer: a "Sheezer"?

Thank you, plodder, I like that!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If I wear my contacts or glasses, I get a very clear view of the rear peep and acceptable focus on the front post, but the target is a blurred mess

Ignore the peep sight -- just look through it.

Focus on the front sight. The target will still be fuzzy, but it's supposed to look that way.