Aging eyes and iron sights

[Pheroze]

I need my glasses for distance, particularly in dim light. I only use them for driving and hunting (typically contacts for the latter). I can make out objects a distance much better with them on. The problem is that with them on the iron sights are extremely hard to make out. I try to focus on the front sight but the rear presents as such a blur I cannot tell whether the front is in the notch or not. Even the front sight remains blurred a bit. I was experimenting today without glasses and I can aim well with both the iron sights and the scope is totally fine. For targets its fine. I am considering hunting without glasses but I am concerned about picking out the critter in the woods. Is it time to give up on iron sights? Or has anyone else faced a similar dilemma and figured out a way to cope?

 

[sestoppelman]

Well this is a problem as we get older. I am 61 and still using store bought reading glasses, have about 5 pair scattered about the house in various powers! I use low power for driving, TV etc. Reading up close at 3X, computer at 2X, work bench at 2.5X etc. Last summer in RSA with my peep sighted .405 lever action, I thought I had it all figured out. Used my normal low powers for hunting and had an older pair of prescription glasses either in my pocket or around my neck on the strings you can buy. Well one day we got on some eland, I went to grab that pair of glasses, put them on my face and felt like I was going to fall over! One of the lenses had fallen out of the frame and when I was figuring this out the little frame screw fell out in the grass and well good bye Charlie! I got pissed off, grabbed the stupid glasses and flung them into the bush! My boy looked at me like I was nuts but I knew I would never find that tiny, miserable, little stinking screw! I think the only real answer here is to bite the bullet and get fitted for transitional bifocals that allow the use of the irons. Its a real PITA for sure!

 

[Red Leg]

I have exactly the same problem. You will find handgun sights are even worse. I have concluded that great sight visibility is of questionable value if I can't clearly see the target. I have tried specially made progressive lenses for shooters, but I pretty much hate trying to shift focus between sights and target while wearing them - not intuitive. You might try peep sights. Two of My scoped DG rifles have peeps as back-up. I use large rings and they are very accurate out to 125 yards or so. I also spent the better part of three decades using them in the military, so they are pretty much second nature. You might set up a rifle with them and see how they work for you. However, all my primary rifles now where scopes - even the big boys.

 

[Pheroze]

I am resigned to the thought that I could not use the iron sights in an emergency. I will keep trying but I think there is a good chance I will shoot myself in the ass.

 

[sestoppelman]

I am resigned to the thought that I could not use the iron sights in an emergency. I will keep trying but I think there is a good chance I will shoot myself in the ass.

Are you that creative??

 

[Royal27]

For me I think this is going to mean a good red dot eventually. They just work so well.... I put one on an AR15 several years ago and really started to lIke them. Never thought I would.

Until that time, I have to have a big white front sight.

 

[Rob404]

All my Rifles are scoped,,it's a bit expensive but a fact of life

 

[Royal27]

All my Rifles are scoped,,it's a bit expensive but a fact of life

Mine are too, except my Lott and an AR. I even scoped my 10/22 so that I could practice snap shots and off sticks.

BUT! Now I want to go back and do a tuskless with iron sights, maybe another buff too. Just something about being all up close and personal....

 

[Red Leg]

Always go back for another buff!

 

[Royal27]

Always go back for another buff!

Maybe meant with open sites, as opposed to a scope. Might leave the scope on for the buff.

 

[Pheroze]

The rear iron sight on my 798 is a very narrow 'v' shape. As a result, I find it hard to pick up the front sight quickly. I have noticed the CZ seems to have a wider 'v' on all three of the rear leafs. I wonder if a wider notch would be easier to use with all that blurring? Royal27, perhaps the style of iron sight you use when you go back for buffalo could accommodate whatever lack of sharpness in your vision is there.

 

[Royal27]

My Lott has a notch, not a V and it is definitely better. Dark on dark gets lost though. Something I learned at SAAM though definitely helps and I think the military teaches it too. I start with looking at the front sight. And when I say start the idea is to be on the front site before the rifle is even shouldered. Then find the target. When I do it, it works.

 

[Kano]

 

[spike.t]

try getting your eyes lazered , bloody amazing the difference!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

try getting your eyes lazered , bloody amazing the difference!!!

Great for acuity, but it can bugger you up for seeing in low light.

 

[spike.t]

Great for acuity, but it can bugger you up for seeing in low light.

yeah i have heard that but never had that problem myself.

 

[BRICKBURN]

yeah i have heard that but never had that problem myself.

Younger (mid thirties) buddy of mine got it done and his eyes are useless at first and last light.
Glad you missed out on that complication.

 

[Royal27]

Younger (mid thirties) buddy of mine got it done and his eyes are useless at first and last light.
Glad you missed out on that complication.

My eyes don't see as well in low light and I'very double vision for two years. Not as bad as it used to be, but still there.

I'm not the poster child for lasic.....

 

[Pheroze]

I was advised not to have laser correction as, over time, my prescription will actually get better for close work.

I found this really cool popup peep sight by Brockman. It will pop up on a spring when the scope is removed. Comes with a Talley base. But it is not designed to the 798

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1269&mode=2&featurestory=DA_549448

A modified lens that allows sharp images of distant and near objects, simultaneously.