Some points in favor of non-aperture sights.

[Shrinkmd]

But rifles differ...

I had fun with this trying out my AR after many range sessions with a Mojo'd mosin. Practice makes better. With the Mosin it comes naturally to my shoulder, and the sight picture just pops into place. Without a benchrest, my shots were going where I wanted them almost as fast as I could work the bolt (actually when I got a rhythm going and just did it unconsciously they were better than when I hesitated and "tried" to focus, concentrate, etc.) The more you think the worse you do.

Anyway, I need to practice with the A2 sights, because brother I had trouble even hitting the paper at first. After putting my face right up to the rear sight things started to improve.

It is funny how some shooting skills are transferrable to whatever equipment you are using, and yet the "one gun" theory also holds true. Your mind seems to remember and adjust to whatever you shoot most. As much as I love practicing with a .22, it isn't the same.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Shrinkmd,
Very true. Most people can learn to shoot many different firearms, but if there is one that you practice with the most, it becomes the most "natural" to shoot. (My team coach from Perry would argue that there is nothing natural about shooting a firearm, but I can't, ahem, repeat his words. )

The trouble with apertures is indeed "sight picture refinement." Too often, when tired, a little dehydrated and burned from a day under the sun at a match, I lost easy points at 600 yards with my AR. It was due to trying too hard to line those sights up. If I just relax and shoot, everything goes as planned. Spend time focusing and making the picture "neat," well, all bets are off brother.

And shooting the aperture sights on an AR is completely different, IME, from shooting most other aperture sighted firearms. The rear wants to be where your eyeball is almost, no somewhere a few inches away. Kind of disconcerting to some.

 

[nv665]

IMO, There is nothing better than peep/apiture sights. You shoot with both eyes open. The rear apiture is a "ghost" and does not block your view. Your eye will center the front sight in the "ghost" ring. I shoot all rifles better with a peep/apiture sight. It gives an additional 5"-8" or more of sight radius depending on the gun.