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Sights and Aging eyes

10K views 67 replies 19 participants last post by  TSiWRX 
#1 ·
As I aged, I find that I need more space/light between the front sight post and rear sights.

I have an XD 45, 4"

Do anyone have a recommendation for replacement of either just the front sight or both?

Thank you
 
#6 · (Edited)
At almost 63, I've found rear sights to be a distraction. Try using small pieces of electrical tape to temporarily black-out the rear dots.

I used a Sharpie to make mine permanent, with either tritium or FO on the front on all of my guns. My accuracy went up dramatically.
 
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#7 ·
At almost 63, I've found rear sights to be a distraction. Try using small pieces of electrical tape to temporarily black-out the rear dots.

I used a Sharpie to make mine permanent, with either tritium or FO on the front on all of my gun. My accuracy went up dramatically.
Do the rear sights distract you in the dark as well?

If not, there's a few good choices out there that have muted rear tritium vials (can't really see them in bright light) that will still give you reference in low light...
 
#8 ·
Yes. It's difficult to discern which dot is in the middle, i.e. the front could be to the right or left of both of the rears.

But I'd appreciate the info on muted vials.
 
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#10 ·
Then Cuda may have another solution as well.
 
#23 ·
My vision at a distance is still excellent, but up close my vision is lousy.

In bright light, I still can acquire my sight picture quickly, but any low light, I can't focus.

If I wear my reading glasses, I can see the sights.
rather then change sights, especially if you have more then one gun, you might want to get specialized glasses for shooting. I wear prescription glasses for distance, different then you but idea will be same. With shooting glasses my dominant eye has a lens that is focused on front sight plus just a bit, my other eye has lens that is focused on distance less just a bit. The plus and less a bit are to decrease the delta between eyes. So when I focus on sight my mind favors the dominant eye with close lens, when I look out at targets my mind favors the other eye with far lens.

In your case you'd have your reading prescription for dominant and maybe a slight drop from no correction in other eye.

My optometrist is a shooter - he has patients bring their gun into office. Works out very well. Improved my shooting as my eyes became my issue with age.

Just another suggestion to look at.
 
#22 ·
Might sound silly since they don't really work as night/low light sights, but the other day I used crayons and a hair dryer to experiment with different color sights to see what my eyes picked up quickest. I don't have bad eyes, but it can help give you an idea of what colors your eyes will pick up faster. This way when I transition to night sights I have an idea of my preferred setup. I used a fine point knife to gouge out the white. Then basically used the how to on coloring your engravings. I have orange rears and a green front. If I stick with 3 dots I'd probably go orange front and green rears.
 

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#32 ·
^ Ah, great, now we're on the same page. :) ;)

So my question now becomes centered on your other three pistols - the M&P9 Shield, G19, and Rock Island CS. What is consistent about those other three, sight-wise, that allows you to be more precise/accurate, under the conditions/stipulations you're putting on the criteria?

It seems that you definitely have more than enough experience to know, and I would bet that, with your experience, you're more than likely right-on about your need for more daylight around the front post....

Do you have the specs of the sights that you are running, now, on your other three guns? If you have their physical measurements, you can then work from the sight radius to figure out the approximate ratio you'd be looking at, with the sight radius of your XD, and then start looking at aftermarket sights/sight sets from there.

Otherwise, my initial request to you stands - please understand that my intent to funnel you towards a beginner-level class was not meant to be a slight towards you: rather, that it's simply the places where you are most likely to see the greatest variety in firearms/sights gathered in one place. :) Your most likely place to be able to sample from a wide range of what's available.

Alternatively, after you get some measurements, I'd recommend that you speak to an XD-platform sights specialist like ajamesp51, the proprietor of XDman.com . It's possible that he could give you some recommendations based off of your personal preferences and observations.

Finally....

You mentioned in a previous post that you liked to see the rear sights.

With your new information, I'm wondering if perhaps you "look/see" in the way Frank Proctor does.

Given that possibility, I wonder if his WOTG Y-Notch Sights can be adapted/modified for use on an XD? And, of course, if it would strike the right balance for you, given your visual preferences for the sight package. ;)
 
#33 · (Edited)
I have no problems about your questions. It shows that there is a variety of options to considered which I appreciate your extra effort to help.

I don't have a micrometer to measure the differences in sight with and gap, but just eye balling it, the XD45 front sight is visibly fatter than the other three hand guns.

All 4 are simple contrast sights, and none are night sights. I have tried the Sig Night Sights, and they are better because the diameter of the dots are smaller than the contrast sights.

As to using the sights while shooting it breaks down for me this way.

Any time I shoot while drawing from the holster at targets less than 3 meters, I 'point' shoot and ignore the rear sight posts. I can reliably hit the 'A' zone

Under time pressure to make a shot, for targets 8 - 15 meters, I need to use the rear sights to hit the A and B zone of a target. But with the XD45, I also hitting the C zone.

I tried a few other shooter handguns at the range, and I found when the color contrast are different between the rear and front sights I get better results, but the amount of daylight is still a significant factor, because my grouping is scattered.

I wants some range reports on what other shooters did to correct the same problems I am having with the XD45. And since all sights choices are personal in tastes, the more feedback the better.

I will followup on your recommendation about consulting the XD sight specialist. Didn't know that one existed.

On the point shooting, I just line up the slide frame to the target, and split the target with the front sight post, but I can't clearly distinguish the front sight post on the XD45 from the rear posts. Just one long rectangle, with a blur for dots.

Thanks again.
 
#39 ·
I have no problems about your questions. It shows that there is a variety of options to considered which I appreciate your extra effort to help.
:) No problem - I just didn't want to have offended you, that's all, as that certainly was not my intent. :)

I tried a few other shooter handguns at the range, and I found when the color contrast are different between the rear and front sights I get better results, but the amount of daylight is still a significant factor, because my grouping is scattered.

I wants some range reports on what other shooters did to correct the same problems I am having with the XD45. And since all sights choices are personal in tastes, the more feedback the better.
My personal preferences are for a narrow front sight post, combined with plenty of light between the post and the notch. Currently on all three of my XDms are: Dawson 0.100 wide x 0.205 tall fiber-optic fronts (021-019), paired with Dawson Charger 0.125 notch fixed rears, serrated (018-178). The FO really grabs the attention of my eyes under most lighting conditions (low/no-light excepted, of-course) and is nicely offset by the plain rears, where their blocky shape really simplifies the sight picture and affords minimal distractions (why such a physically monstrous rear? because I like a really robust rear sight for single-handed manipulations).

I also really, really like the Trijicon HD. For me, that brightly outlined front Tritium vial is awesome in terms of capturing visual attention, and the fact that outline ring glows brightly for a few minutes during the transition between bright ambient light to lower light surroundings really comes in handy before one's eyes adjust enough to pick up the Tritium glow.

This old thread may help you, too.

Rear sight width XDTalk Forums

:)
 
#34 · (Edited)
I'm just going to put this out there...it's not meant as a criticism of the shooter, or the platform.

But--maybe the XD45 just isn't the gun for you.

I've found that for me to be accurate with pretty much any XD, I really have to work for it...but then I pick up one of my other pistols--Sig P226, 1911, FNX, VP9, even a revolver--and I can make accurate hits a lot more easily, regardless of the sights.

It could be that I no longer have any XD's, and I don't shoot them that often...but I've picked up guns for the first time and shot them better than I could shoot XD's back when I had them.

I've always referred to it as a glitch in the XD/Cuda66 interface. Perhaps you have the same glitch...

If you want a .45 and the capacity, there's a number of other choices out there...you may want to look at an M&P 45, or a Glock 21/30, since the S&W and Glock platforms already work for you...there's also some Commander-sized widebody 1911's available; RIA makes a nice one.

It may be something to consider, if you haven't tried the other options already.
 
#35 · (Edited)
You maybe right. But the California Handgun Roster limits the types and model of handguns I can purchase. So my choices in replacing it with a similar weapon is really limited. (e.g. California sucks)

Plus the FFL registration and transfer fees adds about $60 to the purchase price to every gun sales price.

So before I give up in the XD45, I would like to see if its possible to modify it sights first.

I do like the trigger, and grip angle. But in the final analysis is you maybe right. In terms of compact 45, the only gun still on the roster that's close is the Glock 30 or 36 or a SIG

I did look at the SIG. The current price on the roster for a SIG is about $850, and after tax and FFL costs, it will be over $1000. I can do it, and take the loss on selling the XD45. (note: California laws limits you to choosing 3 handguns on your CCW permit), but is take the double hit on costs and capacity. So it will have to be a Glock.
 
#38 ·
Neither of them would be. No magazine disconnect.
 
#40 ·
I'm 55 years old and suffer from the same issue. I've read about Diamond Speed Sights for quite some time, and purchased a set a couple weeks ago. I had James install them. The rear diamonds are white, and I chose the bright green for my front diamond. There's threads on here about them. Check them out, but they're not cheap.
 
#42 ·
As numerous other members have posted xdman . Com offers a good variety on sights, competitive pricing and free install with purchase from his sights. I have yet to deal with James personally but he is well known and respected on the forum here. And he specializes in the xd platform.when the time comes to get real sights, James will absolutely be my go to without a doubt.
 
#43 ·
^ He did all three of mine - Great service and care. Definitely recommended Updated 07 25 Costa Ludus HE01 02 XDTalk Forums :)

And when I decide to change them out again, they'll go to him again.

----

ETA: A bit of background on my "sight-quest" :lol:

I really came to the sights rather late. I knew I wanted something different from what the factory offered (which, to me, were OK, but did not give sufficient refinement once I really started adding yardage), but as with many, just didn't know what exactly it was that I wanted.

I started trying my eyes behind as many guns as I could get my hands on, live fire, and I was lucky enough to have a friend who - as the in-linked thread in post #39 above mentioned - used the sight setup that I found to be best-match for my needs.

Similarly, it wasn't until a low-light class a year or so back ,that I really found myself in-favor of the HDs.
 
#44 ·
+1 for James. Perfect installation with no problems.
 
#45 ·
As I aged, I find that I need more space/light between the front sight post and rear sights.

I have an XD 45, 4"

Do anyone have a recommendation for replacement of either just the front sight or both?

Thank you
On the same pistol, I sent the slide to James for Dawson F/O front and black adjustable rear. Made a huge difference to my 65 yr old eyes. All my pistols are done that way now, my XDM 5.25 stock sights spoiled me.
JD
 
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