Snub-nosed Revolvers and Aging Eyes

[420Stainless]

I went to the range this week for only the second time in a year or so. It was good to go shooting, but hard on the ego spending time with my snub-nosed friends.

I sent a silhouette 10 yards out and started with my new used Model 12 loaded with standard pressure 125 grain Nyclads. Shot 24 rounds and ended up with about an 8 inch group stringing low and left somewhat. I was jerking from lack of practice plus the trigger was somewhat stiff (I don't think the previous owner(s) fired it much at all - so probably almost new mechanically and not broken in).

I picked up my Detective Special and made about a 4 inch group around the center with the remaining 26 Nyclads and some American Eagle LRN. Quite a bit better, but still not what I've been used to in the past .

Then I loaded up the Security Six with Blazer 158 grain .357 Mag. hollowpoints and put 28 (all I had with me) into 2 inches dead center. I know that is not great shooting, but it is about what I average with handguns from 10 yards in my version of the Weaver stance. It was then that I realized I had been having trouble getting a good sight picture with the milled rear sights on the Model 12 and DS in the lighting on the indoor range, but was able to get a clear sight picture with the larger notch in the adjustable blade sight of the Ruger.

I've just joined an outdoor range, so I should be getting a lot more practice this year. Never had problems with milled sights before, so I guess I'll be looking into glasses with shooting prescriptions and/or laser grips. Technology is great, but getting old can be humbling at times.

 

[godsdog]

Sounds like your a pretty good shot to me! It's not about groupings... when the crunch comes to crunch... if you can hit a t shirt that many times at that distance, which you obviously can... you've done your job!

 

[420Stainless]

Thank you. I was raised around some of the best bulleye shooters. All of them could shoot 2 inch groups at 50 yards one handed. Unfortunately, I didn't learn nearly what I could have and should have.

I'm happy enough to shoot as well as I do. I'm just whining because I realize that I'm losing some ability to age. Also wondering if others have found ways to cope beside the shooting glasses and laser sights I might be trying.

 

[rcmodel]

If you already wear bi-focals, look into progressive or "no-line" bifocals next time.

I find I can tilt my head back and get a front sight in focus with any barrel length somewhere in the middle lower part of the lens.

Another option for range use is a stick-on Merit Iris.
They help old shooters a bunch!

http://www.meritcorporation.com/

I went to the range this week for only the second time in a year or so.

That right there might be your problem!

rc

 

[godsdog]

I'm right handed... lately I've been trying to cross aim with my left eye... I can't get a good sight picture with my right eye anymore, not with my snubbie anyways. It takes a bit of practice but I can hit stuff. (There that's my wine).

 

[420Stainless]

Thanks for the tips rcmodel. I'll check into the Merit Iris. I wear bifocals, but haven't had much luck tipping back to use them. Also, just joined a range and restarting the reloading process (I'm an older dad with young kids), so I should be getting much more practice this year.

 

[godsdog]

Whine... sorry. I guess we could always hope for an understanding attacker that would be polite enough to let us done our specs...!

 

[hinton03]

I have the U-notch extreme duty rear and the XS big dot front on my 327 NG and my old eyes find them acceptable. I have seen a few snubs modified by Cyclinder and Slide with these sights, looks interesting.

Not sure I would have the heart to allow someone to grind away on my Model 49 or Colt DS, but maybe a used model 60 would work.

 

[Unisaw]

Another option that works well for me is to use contacts with different strengths such that your "sighting" eye is focused on the front sight and your other eye is focused for longer distances. The brain adapts very quickly to this set-up.

 

[krs]

Here's the ultimate solution: http://customsightpicture.com/sight picture-intro.html

 

[jaydubya]

You are just beginning to age. I'm 77 years old. Without my glasses I cannot even SEE the sights, much less use them. But I sure can see the red dot my Crimson Trace grips provide. I practice (glasses on) with iron sights, but I always prove how much better I am with lasers.

Obviously, you are an experienced handgunner. Don't let pride prevent you from using lasers. There are enough out there doing that already.

Cordially, Jack

 

[Dienekes]

Ask your optometrist about a "jeweler's spot" of approx 1/2" dia to focus on the front sight (about same distance as your fingertip when you point at something). Mine is up in the upper left hand corner of my RH lens, where it needs to be for a Weaver stance.

I loathe bifocals, so my shooting glasses are ground for distance vision with that one modification. This system has worked well for me for over 20 years. No downside that I know of. It worked fine for the last five-six years of work, too.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Laser grips, laser grips, laser grips. At least try them.

To those who scoff: Get over yourself, and join us in the 21st century. Doing so might save your life.

 

[madcratebuilder]

My eyes have been going for about eight years now. Still have 20/20 at distance but can't focus up close. Laser grips really help, I have CT grips on a M640 and a 1911, worth every penny.

 

[Frizzman]

Age and changing eyesight have made me a fan of the lasergrips and "Firesights"

 

[Unisaw]

Are you practicing with your snubnose for fun or for self-defense? To state the obvious, if the latter, you need a vision correction method that allows you to focus on the front sight when you least expect to deploy your weapon.

 

[easyrider604]

I think the problem with ageing eyes is being able to clearly see both the front and rear sights at the same time. With iron sights, the target has been always blurred to me.

With proper and consistent grip and stance, at 10 yards you can try aiming using only the front sight. If you can see your front sight, this technique will allow very quick double taps should you desire. Use the top of the barrel or slide to quickly align the gun, not the rear sight. You can figure out your gun hold and sight hold against the target. In fact, if you practice your gun hold/grip often, you'll develop some muscle memory so that your gun is like an extension of your arms. With enough practice you will acquire confidence and better accuracy.

I used this technique when I shot in IPSC style matches 20 years ago. 10 yards is really close enough for quick and accurate center of mass hits. Head shots not recommended with this technique, but with practice it is good up to 7 yds.
It took several hundred rounds to be familiar with the technique but will take thousands to master it, which I never did, BTW.

I used this technique for 6 inch Bianchi plates are 10 yds and it was so much fun.

 

[Roper1952]

I'm going to approach this a bit differently than the other replies. First, I understand what it is like to have your eyesight change, mine has also.

But let's look at your application. A Model 12 and a Dick's Special are not target guns. They are confrontation guns, at least that's what they are designed for. Statistics show that most confrontations happen between 7-15 feet. That's where you need to practice placing your shots.

When I do this I don't focus on the front sight. I focus on the spot I want to hit. You'd be surprized to find how easy that is.

Try it and see how you do.

 

[wep45]

i had torn and detached retinas in both eyes.............corrected in 2002 with surgeries..........right eye i can see ok.........left eye?? i think there is something there lol..............but with the help of my S&W 686-4pp i am able to get 4 out of 6 shots in a 3 inch center circle on a 8" x 11" target

BG.........dont mess with a one eyed retired guy

 

[Marvin KNox]

+1 on the laser grips!

I shoot twice as good (especially at speed) with lasers as without. Obviously we practice both ways. But for old eyes like ours lasers are the real deal.

 

[waidmann]

another suggestion for old eyes

Last year I went to an opthamologist who is a shooter and treats others. I ended up with "cockpit style" (an exaggerated) trifocals. The center portion of the lens is over twice the usual height. It again allows me to simultaneously focus on front and rear sights. I'm back to shooting my old hand ejectors. It's worth the price of a middling handgun. Trust me.