Looks like it's time to admit my astigmatism (or scope use) is impacting ability to use iron sights.

[daniel craig]

So yesterday I went to the range to shoot my SKS, it has the narrower front sight from TechSights which I thought would help.

At a 100 yard target that was bright yellow with a saucer sized black area (one of those shoot and see targets) I couldn't for the life of me get a sight picture that allowed me to effectively aim, even when I closed one eye (I shoot both open). Focusing on the front sight made the target so blurry I could hardly even see it.

It hasn't always been this way. I grew up shooting various rifles with iron sights, learned on them in fact. Even an M4 at 300 yards I could do (admittedly that's a much larger target).

I don't know if I've spoiled myself with a scope on my rifle or if my astigmatism is getting worse (I blame the astigmatism) l.

Looks like my SKS is gonna have to be bubbafied for optic use. Lame.


I should add....I don't seem to have an issue when using a handgun.

 

[.38 Special]

I have no significant vision issues, but do find that if I don't stay in practice with irons on a rifle, my shooting goes right down the drain. I'm no kind of rifleman, but I can always jump right back in with a scope. Open irons take constant practice, at least for me.

 

[someguy2800]

I am only 35, but in the last 2-3 years I've almost completely lost my ability to use open sights past about 35 yards. I think its time for me to suck it up and get glasses. Aperture sights still work okay for me provided the target is large enough for me to get sufficient contrast so that would be worth looking into if there are any good options for an SKS

 

[someguy2800]

https://www.tech-sights.com/sks-products/

 

[jak67429]

I have had issues with iron sights over 40 yards for a few years. best thing you can do is find a good optometrist that will work with you. When I gave up and found one who was also a shooter, she got me shooting glasses. and now I can use irons and holo sights. My pistol scores went from mid a's to low mater scores.

 

[illinoisburt]

So yesterday I went to the range to shoot my SKS, it has the narrower front sight from TechSights which I thought would help.

At a 100 yard target that was bright yellow with a saucer sized black area (one of those shoot and see targets) I couldn't for the life of me get a sight picture that allowed me to effectively aim, even when I closed one eye (I shoot both open). Focusing on the front sight made the target so blurry I could hardly even see it.

It hasn't always been this way. I grew up shooting various rifles with iron sights, learned on them in fact. Even an M4 at 300 yards I could do (admittedly that's a much larger target).

I don't know if I've spoiled myself with a scope on my rifle or if my astigmatism is getting worse (I blame the astigmatism) l.

Looks like my SKS is gonna have to be bubbafied for optic use. Lame.

Happens to (most) all of us. I haven't found a good sks optics mount yet - the closest was a file to fit dust cover and that worked loose after about 40 rounds. Tech Sight rear peep is probably the best option. Peeps close to the eye do a good job of helping your eyes focus.

 

[daniel craig]

I have had issues with iron sights over 40 yards for a few years. best thing you can do is find a good optometrist that will work with you. When I gave up and found one who was also a shooter, she got me shooting glasses. and now I can use irons and holo sights. My pistol scores went from mid a's to low mater scores.

The odd part is, I went to one recently and apart from my astigmatism my sight is perfect so glasses wouldn't do anything

 

[daniel craig]

Happens to (most) all of us. I haven't found a good sks optics mount yet - the closest was a file to fit dust cover and that worked loose after about 40 rounds. Tech Sight rear peep is probably the best option. Peeps close to the eye do a good job of helping your eyes focus.

MOLOT makes a side mount that requires drilling and tapping of the receive but allows for the use of Russian/Soviet block style optics (like those found on an svd) and apparently a company called BeloMo makes a few red dots designed for the rail.

 

[arsterling180]

What kind of targets are you guys shooting at? Generic sight in targets or high contrast service rifle/high power ones?

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Maybe you could discuss these with your optometrist: https://freelandssports.com/product/jaggi-nova-shooting-glasses-for-rifle-shooters/

 

[arsterling180]

Maybe you could discuss these with your optometrist: https://freelandssports.com/product/jaggi-nova-shooting-glasses-for-rifle-shooters/

you just answered what’s in your avatar.

 

[R_P_K]

So yesterday I went to the range to shoot my SKS, it has the narrower front sight from TechSights which I thought would help.

At a 100 yard target that was bright yellow with a saucer sized black area (one of those shoot and see targets) I couldn't for the life of me get a sight picture that allowed me to effectively aim, even when I closed one eye (I shoot both open). Focusing on the front sight made the target so blurry I could hardly even see it.

It hasn't always been this way. I grew up shooting various rifles with iron sights, learned on them in fact. Even an M4 at 300 yards I could do (admittedly that's a much larger target).

I don't know if I've spoiled myself with a scope on my rifle or if my astigmatism is getting worse (I blame the astigmatism) l.

Looks like my SKS is gonna have to be bubbafied for optic use. Lame.


I should add....I don't seem to have an issue when using a handgun.

Put a peep sight on it. It fixes the astigmatism issue. I recommend tech sights, had them on mine

 

[Bwana John]

Put a peep sight on it. It fixes the astigmatism issue. I recommend tech sights, had them on mine

The smaller the peep aperture the better, and hooded if possible. Unfortunately that needs good light and a target that has good contrast between the bull and background to be able to use, brown deer on a brown background at dawn or dusk just ain’t gonna happen.

 

[doubleh]

I am with Dave D on this. Go to a profession with your problem.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

you just answered what’s in your avatar.

Yup, same brand and everything.

On my glasses there's an Rx lens in front of the iris of my dominant eye. My problem is presbyopia, so I figger the doc can tell whether they'll also help with astigmatism.

 

[daniel craig]

Put a peep sight on it. It fixes the astigmatism issue. I recommend tech sights, had them on mine

I will probably add a peep and an optic

 

[daniel craig]

I am with Dave D on this. Go to a profession with your problem.

I have. They say my vision is good enough that there's nothing they can really do for you. At least not yet so maybe it's less my eyes and more that I'm out of practice or something else.

 

[trekker73]

I am near sighted, astigmastism in left eye, keracotonus in right eye. When I was in the military the issues were minor, past the age of 35 I lost the ability to use open sights well. Regards some of the above comments, peeps also dont help me much and even red dots look like blurry jagged slashes. On lever actions now I am always putting at least a red dot on but preferably even a scope. I even put rails onto 1892 and forward mount scope type scopes.

My suggestion for anyone with eye shooting problems is to go through the process you have, check with the professionals, try different open sight options, try shooting glasses with the diopters or whatever they call them, then if things havent worked out and your eyes havent regained their former glory, you accept having older eyes and use whatever optics you enjoy.

I still have buddies my age shooting great with open sights. Two of my friends I both call eagle eyes, spot game on hillsides as well as I can with a small pair of binoculars. I have envied them for about 25 years. What can you do

 

[AJC1]

I deal with mine. If I shoot without glasses in pistol I'm constantly high and left. Rifle I'm a disaster. I got big round lenses so they work well from any angle including cheek weld on a rifle. I like my glasses for shooting, because they don't scratch up. Are very clear and unless using a scope I wear saftey glasses anyway. I only wear mine shooting and sometimes late at night so function over form was my priority.

 

[earlthegoat2]

When I started playing around with different open sight types for better accuracy or user-friendliness, I realized it was time to heavily incorporate optics.

I have two rifles that are scopeless. My 141 Remington, which does have very well executed open sights, and my cap lock 58 muzzleloader which has nicer open sights that I added.

Both are only 50 yd rifles in my hands.

 

[Howland937]

The odd part is, I went to one recently and apart from my astigmatism my sight is perfect so glasses wouldn't do anything

Not true at all. I have glasses with correction for astigmatism in the right side, no magnification at all...so the left side is plain glass. Also have prescription for a contact lense for right eye only. Night and day difference when shooting rifles scoped or not, but useless for handguns. In fact, since I only wear the glasses for shooting I keep them in an ammo can with ear pro and tool kit.

 

[Laphroaig]

So yesterday I went to the range to shoot my SKS, it has the narrower front sight from TechSights which I thought would help.

If you're having troubles seeing your sights, a narrow front sight is the last thing that you want to do. Get a fat one and focus on it, even if the target is blurry. Good glasses and a rear aperture will increase your ability to see both the front sight and target more clearly. Old eyes need help!

 

[daniel craig]

Not true at all. I have glasses with correction for astigmatism in the right side, no magnification at all...so the left side is plain glass. Also have prescription for a contact lense for right eye only. Night and day difference when shooting rifles scoped or not, but useless for handguns. In fact, since I only wear the glasses for shooting I keep them in an ammo can with ear pro and tool kit.

I wonder why my optometrist wouldn't have recommended something like this?

 

[Howland937]

I wonder why my optometrist wouldn't have recommended something like this?

No idea. The first one I saw wouldn't consider just doing a contact without glasses and insisted on a small amount of magnification. The glasses she gave me were great for shooting but made everything look out of square.

Went to my wife's eye doctor and told her what my goal was. She said "no problem", checked me over and gave me 3 or 4 trial contacts while she sent my glasses out to get lenses switched.

Not sure if you can tell them what you're trying to accomplish?

 

[12Bravo20]

I recently had a pair of glasses made up for shooting. I went to IEC and the lady that helped me is an avid shooter too. I needed lenses that come up higher for using scopes. We dug around and found some 80's style aviator safety glasses. I also have to wear bifocals. I told her I wanted the bifocals on the shooting glasses so that I can still read my dope sheet and read/write notes while on the range. She had them make the close up portion smaller so that I can still read but it won't effect me using scopes.

It helps to call around to different places to find someone that knows what they are doing and is willing to help. I get my everyday glasses free through the VA but finding shooting glasses at my local VA is pretty hard to do. I went to 2 or 3 different eye glass places before finding glasses and anyone to help me.

I have astigmatism but so far it only effects me when I use red dots or scopes with illuminated chevron reticles.I don't get the bloom with the 1 prism scope I have or any of my illuminated scopes with a traditional cross hair.