For older shooters eyes
- Thread starter mrt949
- Start date
VeryOldDog
New member
I simpathize with your issue as I have the same problem. When using a handgun, I cannot see clearly the front sight and rear sight and target. So, I have begun to convert my pieces with the installation of lasers. The heavy calibers like the 45ACP and the 44 magnum, I interpolate between the front sights and the target although, I am also putting laser sights on the 45's. This seems to work but the groups are not particularly tight. they are measured in inches and not in halfs or quarters. On my hunting pistols, I have mounted Burris pistol scopes. This is the best solution.
On my rifles, there are either a Millet or Burris Red Dot or Scopes. This makes all the difference in the world. I installed a Millet Red Dot on my Browning Buckmart and the accuracy is incredible with groups that look like it goes through the same hole in the paper.
Unless corrective eyeware can be obtained, I am going to continue with the use of optics that will provide overall assistance.
I hope the you find a solution to your issues.
On my rifles, there are either a Millet or Burris Red Dot or Scopes. This makes all the difference in the world. I installed a Millet Red Dot on my Browning Buckmart and the accuracy is incredible with groups that look like it goes through the same hole in the paper.
Unless corrective eyeware can be obtained, I am going to continue with the use of optics that will provide overall assistance.
I hope the you find a solution to your issues.
I'm a geezer, seventy-eight, and without my glasses on I cannot even SEE the iron sights on my handguns. Which is why three of them (S&W 637 and 686+, and 9mm Browning Hi Power) are equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips. Simply as grips, they are the equal of the original grips on my 686+ and a marked improvement on the other two. I practice weekly with at least two of them, 80 shots laser and 20 iron sights. I can still put most of them within the 10 ring of a fullsize silhouette target at ten yards. This is true whichever sighting system I use, but I am much faster with the laser.
I would not consider buying a handgun that could not be equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips. I consider that to be a fatal flaw.
Cordially, Jack
I would not consider buying a handgun that could not be equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips. I consider that to be a fatal flaw.
Cordially, Jack
trifocals here
When shooting a match, I verbally say outloud before each round, "HEAD UP".
It reminds me to raise my head to the sight becomes focused in the middle range of my trifocals.
I'm getting ready to mod a Combat Commander, and I'm going with the latest Novak wide-notch rear and a fiber optic fronts.
Guess we'll see how that works out (no pun intended).
When shooting a match, I verbally say outloud before each round, "HEAD UP".
It reminds me to raise my head to the sight becomes focused in the middle range of my trifocals.
I'm getting ready to mod a Combat Commander, and I'm going with the latest Novak wide-notch rear and a fiber optic fronts.
Guess we'll see how that works out (no pun intended).
BobCat45 and a few others have basically nailed it.
You are talking about general paper punching with a handgun. Safety glasses should be worn anyway so get yourself a prescription set specifically set up for this.
Go to your optician or opthalmologist for a check up and make sure that there is no underlying problem other than age (yeh, I know that sucks). Before you go have someone measure the distance from your dominant eye to the front sight using your usual stance.
Get a lens prescription for distance (if needed) and near. Make sure they know what that near distance is for and is the distance you measured.
Have the prescription made up with the near lens for your dominant/shooting eye, and distance or plano in the other eye.
Doing it this way really helps with keeping both eyes open while shooting and unlike just having WalMart/Costco reading glasses you can actually see the target as well when you want to. You will be amazed how quickly you will adapt to selecting which eye you want to "see" with.
You are talking about general paper punching with a handgun. Safety glasses should be worn anyway so get yourself a prescription set specifically set up for this.
Go to your optician or opthalmologist for a check up and make sure that there is no underlying problem other than age (yeh, I know that sucks). Before you go have someone measure the distance from your dominant eye to the front sight using your usual stance.
Get a lens prescription for distance (if needed) and near. Make sure they know what that near distance is for and is the distance you measured.
Have the prescription made up with the near lens for your dominant/shooting eye, and distance or plano in the other eye.
Doing it this way really helps with keeping both eyes open while shooting and unlike just having WalMart/Costco reading glasses you can actually see the target as well when you want to. You will be amazed how quickly you will adapt to selecting which eye you want to "see" with.
N.H. Yankee
New member
I'm 57 and still have 20-20 vision, no corrective lenses. Now for the rest of me, Charles De Gaulle referred to the shipwreck of old age, well I never thought I'd rival the SS Titanic! I tend to do well with 4 inch barrels and longer. Some sights are quite crisp while others tend to be slightly fuzzy. I can still shoot a ragged hole at 25 yards open sights with a 4 inch bbl so I can't complain, at least not about my vision.
Walt Sherrill
New member
Sights matter, but what you SEE matters more.
A local opthamologist who works with shooters adovcates using a lens on the strong eye that is set to focus on the front sight, and a lens on the weak eye that can be used to see the distant target. You'll need to show your optician the distance that you want to use -- extend your arm in a firing position, and then add several inches to that. (That's why using READING GLASSES helps some to shoot better -- they can see the front sight better.)
I did that for several years, with good success, until I developed a cataract in my weak eye -- and the system no longer works. But focusing on the front sight with my strong eye is still the best approach. (Seeing the sights clearly is far more important than seeing the target clearly...)
Last edited:
My eyes suck too ... 20/350 with progressive bifoculs and now a blurry vision problem in my right eye - meaning a prism in the bi-focul ....(getting older isn't for wimps ..) but:
my best solution, get a good eye exam - then call DeCot HyWyd and get a pair of shooting glasses made ( I like the light gold color for indoor handgun ranges ) - and what they'll work up for you is a modified prescription on your dominant eye that will give you a focul length to see your front sights and still see the target fairly well. So you will have the regular lens in the off hand eye, a special lens in your dominant side....
It works great.
my best solution, get a good eye exam - then call DeCot HyWyd and get a pair of shooting glasses made ( I like the light gold color for indoor handgun ranges ) - and what they'll work up for you is a modified prescription on your dominant eye that will give you a focul length to see your front sights and still see the target fairly well. So you will have the regular lens in the off hand eye, a special lens in your dominant side....
It works great.
I'm sure this has probably been mentioned already but..
I find that the three-dot sights (in terms of standard factory sights, if you don't have the funds for nice after-market sights) work MUCH better for me than the standard black-on-black iron sights.
my eyes aren't perfect, but they certainly aren't terrible either, so maybe the three dots wouldn't make quite as big of a difference for someone with worse eyes. I have 20/30 vision in both eyes and that's for seeing far away, I can see close up just fine.
it hasn't even been bad enough yet to make me want glasses (although each month that goes by, I notice it VERY gradually getting worse)
anyway, that's just what works for me. I don't do good with iron sights with no highlighted markings, but the three dot sights usually work just fine.
I find that the three-dot sights (in terms of standard factory sights, if you don't have the funds for nice after-market sights) work MUCH better for me than the standard black-on-black iron sights.
my eyes aren't perfect, but they certainly aren't terrible either, so maybe the three dots wouldn't make quite as big of a difference for someone with worse eyes. I have 20/30 vision in both eyes and that's for seeing far away, I can see close up just fine.
it hasn't even been bad enough yet to make me want glasses (although each month that goes by, I notice it VERY gradually getting worse)
anyway, that's just what works for me. I don't do good with iron sights with no highlighted markings, but the three dot sights usually work just fine.
oldman1946
New member
I hate wering glasses but I have for the last 30 or so years. Virtually all my shooting has been done witheither 4 inch barrel revolvers or full size Glocks or the full size Colt 1911. My prescription glasses have served me well for shooting, routine vision and they are no line trifocals. My father passed away at 89 yrs of age and he never needed glasses. I wished I had gotten his vision genes.
bamaranger
New member
longer, unfortunately
I am seeing longer sight radius's better, but my handguns are mostly 4, 4.5"'s.
I am probably shooting my Dad's 6" single-6 better than anything.
I also am seeing the front sight on my Garands, better than on m 14.5" M4 carbine. (after using the ghost ring for years, the smaller aperture on my XS same plane rear is now more clear).
I had super vision up till 50, but in two years I can tell it's slipped.
Using cheap readers on some texts as well.
Pretty sure its not gonna get any better, either!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am seeing longer sight radius's better, but my handguns are mostly 4, 4.5"'s.
I am probably shooting my Dad's 6" single-6 better than anything.
I also am seeing the front sight on my Garands, better than on m 14.5" M4 carbine. (after using the ghost ring for years, the smaller aperture on my XS same plane rear is now more clear).
I had super vision up till 50, but in two years I can tell it's slipped.
Using cheap readers on some texts as well.
Pretty sure its not gonna get any better, either!!!!!!!!!!!!!
focusing implant lenses
If you need cataract surgery, ask for one of those newfangled flexible replacement lenses that will restore the eye's ability to change focus. Presbyopia is caused by hardening of the lens, not loss of function of the focusing muscles. I have read, though, that it takes a few months for those muscles to work well, after having atrophied for years due to the stiff lens.
If you need cataract surgery, ask for one of those newfangled flexible replacement lenses that will restore the eye's ability to change focus. Presbyopia is caused by hardening of the lens, not loss of function of the focusing muscles. I have read, though, that it takes a few months for those muscles to work well, after having atrophied for years due to the stiff lens.
glasses
That is exactly what I did. Works great. The cost, since I supplied the frames, was not excessive.
+1 about the Merit Optical Disc.
Also, about not being able to see the rear sight, the front sight and the target clearly. No one can - at least not at the same time. Three different distances.....the eye can't do three (or two) at the same time.
Pete
That is exactly what I did. Works great. The cost, since I supplied the frames, was not excessive.
+1 about the Merit Optical Disc.
Also, about not being able to see the rear sight, the front sight and the target clearly. No one can - at least not at the same time. Three different distances.....the eye can't do three (or two) at the same time.
Pete
Walt Sherrill
New member
Agreed.
As my optician explains, however, cataracts have to reach a certain stage of development before they'll do surgery. Mine seems to be a particularly slow-growing one; it's been three years since it first affected my prescription, and doesn't seem to be growing much at all.
It just happens to be directly in the middle of by weak eye's field of vision. Both eyes together, my vision is pretty good -- but it messes up shooting.
.