Ghost rings
- Thread starter JimL
- Start date
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I just had custom adjustable "dove tail" sight bases for 4 of my revolvers made, so I can fit Williams fiber optic ghost rings on 4 of my revolvers... in fact I shot my 2 - 6" barrel revolvers yesterday at 50 yards one is a custom 22 Hornet, the other a S&W 610 rechambered to fit 10 mm magnum...
I also did up 2 snubbies, one a Dan Wesson 44 Magnum ( with a custom comp nut ) the other ( just finished last Saturday ) a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull...
so far, I like the ring rear sights... though they aren't probably as accurate as target sights, they are pretty quick to use... & I think by using the Williams rings that are flanked by fiber optics, it gives you something to line up quick with...
I haven't got many pics of them yet... but here's my 22 Hornet, before installing the fiber optic front sight...
I also did up 2 snubbies, one a Dan Wesson 44 Magnum ( with a custom comp nut ) the other ( just finished last Saturday ) a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull...
so far, I like the ring rear sights... though they aren't probably as accurate as target sights, they are pretty quick to use... & I think by using the Williams rings that are flanked by fiber optics, it gives you something to line up quick with...
I haven't got many pics of them yet... but here's my 22 Hornet, before installing the fiber optic front sight...
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HighValleyRanch
New member
I have one
Got one on my glock 19.
the advantages are that you automatically zero the front sight in the center of your ghost ring aperture. Like looking through a circle.
The front site is a fairly tight fit, though,and if the target is tiny or small then it is harder to see behind the front blade.
As I am originally a long time bullseye shooter with the habit of front sight level with rear notch, I do find it a little awkward, because the dot on the front sight needs to be centered on top of the target, instead of the top of the front blade being dead center, so I am always shoot low with my gun.
Also, as my eyes age, it is harder to see through all that without glasses, so I am going to go back to an open sight system.
I would say, good for fast shooting for those with good eyes.
Got one on my glock 19.
the advantages are that you automatically zero the front sight in the center of your ghost ring aperture. Like looking through a circle.
The front site is a fairly tight fit, though,and if the target is tiny or small then it is harder to see behind the front blade.
As I am originally a long time bullseye shooter with the habit of front sight level with rear notch, I do find it a little awkward, because the dot on the front sight needs to be centered on top of the target, instead of the top of the front blade being dead center, so I am always shoot low with my gun.
Also, as my eyes age, it is harder to see through all that without glasses, so I am going to go back to an open sight system.
I would say, good for fast shooting for those with good eyes.
HighValleyRanch
New member
Rear tube attached?
Jim March,
How is that tube attached at the rear?
Jim March,
How is that tube attached at the rear?
HighValleyRanch
New member
Somehow that set up reminds me of some tube sights on rifles that I have seen in some old westerns......
What is the advantage of having one tube, instead of separate rear and front sight. If it is glare, couldn't the front sight be hooded and accomplish the same task with less metal?
Just wondering...
What is the advantage of having one tube, instead of separate rear and front sight. If it is glare, couldn't the front sight be hooded and accomplish the same task with less metal?
Just wondering...
Peep sights on a pistol (or forward mounted on long guns) dont work like a true aperture sight. With the "long eye relief" peeps, you still have manually, and deliberatly, align the sights, where with a true peep, your eye and brain do it without thought.
I tried one on a 1911 when they first showed up, and quickly found they werent for me. Had the same problem with the Mojo type rifle sights too. For me, they require to much thought, and are to slow and awkward to shoot with.
I tried one on a 1911 when they first showed up, and quickly found they werent for me. Had the same problem with the Mojo type rifle sights too. For me, they require to much thought, and are to slow and awkward to shoot with.
Sure, I could have gone hooded front and rear. Here's the "Mk1":
The front sight base has a 1/8ths rifle dovetail so yeah, I absolutely considered a hooded front rifle sight. And it would have worked - as a sight.
But think about draw times. Ow. The full-length tube turns out to be the slickest setup possible on the draw, and it's more stable front to rear across the whole thing. Needs custom leather of course(!) but then so would a hooded front.
Towards the end of the Mk1 period I ditched the fiber optic core. Tim was right: it gets in the way. Looks cool as hell, but...no, wrong answer.
The Mk2 was a full-length brass tube. Worked great but too delicate.
The Mk3 was a steel tube wrapped in leather for cosmetic reasons. Bzzzt. Nope
.The Mk4 is on there now and works great, but there are still minor strength issues. The Mk5 will be very different and feature a much stronger bolted-down front mount among other radical differences.
Hey, I'm learning as I go. Failure IS an option - it's all experimentation and if something doesn't work, OK, go revise.
for a while
I've used a Caspian ghost-ring-bladed Bomar rear on my Caspian 1911 (mated with a Caspian optic-rod front) for over a dozen years.
I have the full Caspian adjustable ghost-ring rear sight on a 9x19 1911 (front is a Dawson optic-rod).
I like them.
(I tried a Ragged Hole on one GP, but found its ring OD too large; its ring ID matches the Caspian units).
I've used a Caspian ghost-ring-bladed Bomar rear on my Caspian 1911 (mated with a Caspian optic-rod front) for over a dozen years.
I have the full Caspian adjustable ghost-ring rear sight on a 9x19 1911 (front is a Dawson optic-rod).
I like them.
(I tried a Ragged Hole on one GP, but found its ring OD too large; its ring ID matches the Caspian units).
Ghost rings are fast acquisition target sights, centering the front sight inside the ring is relatively easy for most people, they are not available for most guns, in fact the idea I think was borrowed from anti aircraft guns and some machine guns.
They call it ghost ring because originally it was supposed to be unobtrusive, so the gunner could see the targets clearly and thence direct the fire in their direction.
Here a couple of versions from hipoint guns with glow-on.com super phosphorescent pigment:
This is a modified ghost ring:
Just like everything else not everyone likes them, they take a little practice to get used to them.
They call it ghost ring because originally it was supposed to be unobtrusive, so the gunner could see the targets clearly and thence direct the fire in their direction.
Here a couple of versions from hipoint guns with glow-on.com super phosphorescent pigment:
This is a modified ghost ring:
Just like everything else not everyone likes them, they take a little practice to get used to them.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I've had some people ask for a few pics of mine, so I took a couple last night... these all have custom adjustable rear dove tail sight bases, & the standard Williams Fiber optic ghost ring sights on those custom bases... some have custom front sights, some have aftermarket front sights... all are ghost ring & fiber optic revolvers now...
the 6" guns... one a Taurus Raging Hornet with a custom fast twist barrel ( 1 in 9" ) with a 6" Stainless Dan Wesson Shroud grafted on to it, & a custom barrel nut / compensator... the other a standard S&W 610, that has has the chambers deepened a little to fit the 10mm Magnum cartridge... this gun shoots 40 S&W, 10mm & 10 mm Magnum with moon clips...
the 6" guns... one a Taurus Raging Hornet with a custom fast twist barrel ( 1 in 9" ) with a 6" Stainless Dan Wesson Shroud grafted on to it, & a custom barrel nut / compensator... the other a standard S&W 610, that has has the chambers deepened a little to fit the 10mm Magnum cartridge... this gun shoots 40 S&W, 10mm & 10 mm Magnum with moon clips...
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Magnum Wheel Man
New member
Ghost of the past
I couldn't hit with anything near sniper accuracy with the small peep sight, a hole between 1/16 and 1/8 inch in diameter. But I discovered that with the ghost ring in position, under certain lighting conditions at least, there was an optical illusion of a tiny dark spot in the center of view - actually I guess where the paler ghost ended. Using that spot I could hit a very small spot at 200 yards, iron sights only. (I had at least 20/10 then.)
No doubt this effect is never seen with hand guns, but since I have dovetails I may try a ring anyway.
There is probably at least one person here who will know about a ghost ring effect I experienced a long time ago with an old British Enfield .303. Apparently it was not the actual reason they called them ghost rings.
I couldn't hit with anything near sniper accuracy with the small peep sight, a hole between 1/16 and 1/8 inch in diameter. But I discovered that with the ghost ring in position, under certain lighting conditions at least, there was an optical illusion of a tiny dark spot in the center of view - actually I guess where the paler ghost ended. Using that spot I could hit a very small spot at 200 yards, iron sights only. (I had at least 20/10 then.)
No doubt this effect is never seen with hand guns, but since I have dovetails I may try a ring anyway.