Handgun shooting glasses

[DonnyBrook13]

I have two S&W revolvers that I've been reluctant to put a scope or red dot on, even though I use reading glasses and can't see the front sight in sharp focus. I've tried the bifocal sunglasses, but the bifocals are set too low, requiring you to tilt head back like you're watching an airplane. Completely impractical.

So I finally found a pair of sunglasses with full-lense magnification, available from 1.0 on up. Only $13.95 and well-made, with a warm (amber) tint. I haven't shot with them yet, but I can now see the rear and front sights in perfect focus. Mid-distance objects are only slightly out of focus. I have 1.0 computer glasses which also work, but with no tint they're not good in bright sunlight.

I got the Channel (Aviator style) glasses here. Other styles, too. They're metal-framed, so might not match your polymer pistol for fashion
http://www.debspecs.com/All-Reading-Sunglasses-C93.aspx

 

[beatledog7]

Thanks for the link.

I've recently discovered (after a period of denial) that I can shoot handguns better with readers, and I'll need something like these for shooting outdoors.

 

[F-111 John]

My 54 year old eyes shoot better with 1.25 readers. Enough to bring the front sight into focus, and the target is not too fuzzy to find center of mass.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Rule of thumb: do not focus on the rear sight, nor the target. Focus exclusively on the front sight.

I have that same problem and in order to get the front sight in good focus, I use a +1.50 diopter lens. That was arrived at by having someone measure from my eye to the front sight of the pistol. Then I went to my optometrist and had him get a pair of glasses for me that would focus at that distance; they were single-vision lenses. The nearest approximation in drugstore glasses is the stated +1.50 diopters, above.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Rule of thumb: do not focus on the rear sight, nor the target. Focus exclusively on the front sight.

+1 on this... Use the rear sights as a gauge of your aim. It's better to have the rear sight slightly out of focus than your target being out of focus. For a number of different reasons.

 

[we are not amused]

There is a product called Stick-on Bifocals, by Air Optics.

These are flexible, disposable plastic stickons, that come in various strengths, that can be put on any set of glasses.

http://www.stickonbifocals.com/

 

[rcmodel]

Rule of thumb: do not focus on the rear sight, nor the target. Focus exclusively on the front sight.

This 1,000%!!

You do not need to see the rear sight, or the target clearly.
You only need to see the front sight in sharp focus and your poor old eyes will take care of the rest!!

If you need bifocals at all to see front sight clearly??

You need progressive lens bifocals from an optometrist.

The seamless bifocals have no dividing line, and there is a sweet spot to focus on the front sight, no matter the barrel length.

rc

 

[wrench]

The stick on bifocals linked by we are not amused are the ticket. Get the magnification that allows you to focus on the front sight, then stick ONE of them to the top of the lens of your dominant eye.
Voila! You can see the front sight without everything else going gray.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I had cataract surgery on both eyes for distance. I have to use 1.5 readers in order to focus the front sight on a handgun. It's fine for up close, but for 25 yards the target is very hard to see. I'm going to ask my eye dr. if I would benefit from progressive bi focals as rc mentioned.

 

[YZ]

Winchester, bite it as I did: for 25 get a red dot, for 50 a scope. Progressives will make you tip your chin up while aiming.

Donny, try different readers to get any doubts out of the way. I invested in 5 pairs el cheapo to learn which Rx works best, once and for all.

There is such thing as reverse bifocals, but I haven't used them