Hi-viz or iron sights for plate competition?

FourCornerm'n · Post by **FourCornerm'n** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:30 pm

I've always liked regular iron sights in speed plate shooting, but I'm wondering if many competitors have gone over the the Hi-Viz variety of fiber-optic sights for this kind of competition?

I've only competed 6 or 7 times in 20 years and haven't noticed recently which type people are using. I think I may have to experiment if the Hi-Viz are an advantage.

If I do, where is the best place to find what I need? I'm hoping the Hi-Viz sight that fits my 5 1/2" 22/45 (Mk II) Target (with bull barrel) would also fit my 6 7/8" Mk II 22/45 Competition Target Model.

Do any bullseye shooters use Hi-Viz sights? It seems, without ever having seen them on a handgun, that they'd be quicker to use, but not as precise as a blackened iron front sight. Is this probably the case?

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:08 pm

Precision is the name of the game in bullseye competition. Not many folks I know stick with the Hi-Vis sights for bullseye.

The same front blade fits the 6 7/8" bull barrel as the 5 1/2".

R,
Bullseye

FourCornerm'n · Post by **FourCornerm'n** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:36 am

My Competition Target is a 6 7/8" slab side, not bull barrel. Is there a bull barrel similar to the 5 1/2" Target Model bull barrel, but in the longer length (6 7/8") ?

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:51 am

A slab side barrel uses the same sight as the bull barrel. The slab side is actually the same barrel profile just with the sides milled flat. The Ruger 22 Auto bull barrel models do extend out to 6 7/8" target versions with the Mark 2 government model. The 5.5" and 6 7/8" versions use the same front target sight.

R,
Bullseye

FourCornerm'n · Post by **FourCornerm'n** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:45 pm

Thanks, Bullseye. That clears up part of what I need to know to make a choice. At least the Hi-Viz version will fit either of my guns.

Judging from other threads on various sites on the web, there are people switching back from fiber-optic light pipe sights, to the original black iron sights for combat shooting. I didn't expect that, so I'll have to find ways to get more information, or just buy some and experiment for myself, though that's not easy for me now.

The fact that there's a question mark in the answer to my inquiry is unexpected, but, nevertheless, is an answer in itself that I'll have to work through.

Thanks for helping me get to this point of slow progress.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:39 am

Basically it comes down to personal preference - no one sight is better than the other because it depends on the user.

R,
Bullseye

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:05 am

For plate shooting the quicker you can pick up your front sight the quicker the shot. This has a lot to do with lighting conditions. It holds true to personal defense too. One of the reason you see relfex dot sights over tube type. But every shooter is different. Some make a change then change back before they give it a chance. As with most changes you will drop a little bit till you get use to it.

flyfishtom · Post by **flyfishtom** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:42 am

After I purchased my Ruger Hunter I experimented with our range plate machine. I have a spread sheet where I keep my times for a 200 round practice routine. In my case, the plain sights are much faster than the Hi Viz and V rear. I first changed out the V rear and that helped a little. Then I changed out the Hi Viz front and that helped a lot.

HEADKNOCKER · Post by **HEADKNOCKER** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:54 am

Paul Zint sells these Fiber Optic front sights for the Bull Barrels for $17.99
http://www.paulzintgunsmith.com/Accessories.html