Three Dot or Ghost Ring Sights

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I am planning on buying a 590A1. However, I can't decide which sights to get. Should I get ghost ring sights or the low profile three dot rifle sights? Any pros or cons for either set up? The low profile sights seem stronger than the ghost ring, but the ghost ring seems more accurate. Any thoughts guys?
 
I'm curious about the use of shotgun sights. I'm most familiar with the traditional rib and beads, but I can see where rifle-style sights are appropriate on a slug gun. Also when covering in support of a LE/Mil assault, you'd have time to aim, rather than point, a shotgun. In a home defense situation do you really anticipate aiming your shotgun or simply pointing it? Although the ghost rings may be tacti-cool, aren't they just something more to get in the way during a HD scenario?

Let's have no speculation here. One of the reasons I chose a handgun for HD is because I've personally witnessed what an errant load of 00-buck can do to the innocent (the young hostage might have survived a single pistol shot). Has anyone, in an actual HD situation, had the time to align their sights?
 
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If your intended use is for PD inside the home, then just a plain illuminated front bead is the best setup. Simple is better!!! The 590A1's have long 14" LOP's so you may need to shorten the rear stock for a good NATURAL point of aim. Stay away from slings for indoor use. All of these suggestions will improve your reaction time because there are less items to get in your way (slow you down).

The open 3-Dot sights are better (than a bead sight) for outdoor midrange distances that require faster acquisition than the slower but more accurate Ghost-Ring sights. I would only use a Ghost-Ring setup for shooting slugs in the 75 - 150 yard range.
 
P.S.:

Hogue makes a 12" reduced LOP stock and Remington makes a 13" version for their LE Dept. Knoxx Industries makes an adjustable rear stock in a Special Ops model.
 
The open 3-Dot sights are better (than a bead sight) for outdoor midrange distances that require faster acquisition than the slower but more accurate Ghost-Ring sights.
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Properly used Ghost ring sights are faster than open sights. They are NOT used like peep sights. You put the front sight on the target and shoot. The rear sight is merely a reminder to keep your head in the right place.
 
I guess I don't get the desire to use 12 or 13 inch LOP stocks when the normal LOP is between 14 and 15 for every other application. I don't need my thumb scrunched up against my nose - especially when shooting uber-power buckshot or slugs.............

If the gun doesn't fit properly, practice will HURT....if practice hurts, you won't do it as much...if you don't do it as much, then your proficiency will be poor and possibly compromise your safety..........an extra inch on the LOP, if it means it fits, will not be a hindrance when moving around your house
 
I would be using the 590A1 for defensive shooting practice and home defense. That being said, I am with zippy and keep a handgun ready for problems within the home and my shotgun for situations outside the home. While the three foot long boomstick certainly packs a punch, the eight inch long handgun allows me to open/close doors, control lights/dogs, and more importantly, get on the phone. I have an 870 now and I am getting tired of always switching barrels for different applications. With the 590A1 I will have a gun setup for defense and the 870 set up for skeet or field.

I was under the impression that the bead was the fastest sight system. The low profile three dot sights seemed to offer more precision than the bead but not as much the ghost ring. The ghost ring seemed to be the most precise sighting system. In these areas, everybody confirmed what I already thought. I will have to get back to a gun store and agonize over it some more. I like the 590 for its rock solid reputation and affordability, but I like the sight offerings on the Remingtons better. On the Tactical Express 870s, Remington equips them with Ashley low profile ghost ring sights and the more epensive Police models can come eqipped with Scattergun Technologies' ghost ring and wonderfully huge front bead. Hmmm. Thanks for all the responses guys.
 
Properly used Ghost ring sights are faster than open sights.
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I am strongly opposed to this statement. Many years of testing and study have proved that at close combat distance, a front bead and pointing the fighting scattergun is the fastest sight picture available.

Please share with us where your statement comes from.

Good Luck & Be Safe
 
a front bead and pointing the fighting scattergun is the fastest sight picture available.
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Bob, my friend, once again thanks for your sage advice -- your brown-water and LE experiences have confirmed what I suspected.
 
Properly used Ghost ring sights are faster than open sights.
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I am strongly opposed to this statement. Many years of testing and study have proved that at close combat distance, a front bead and pointing the fighting scattergun is the fastest sight picture available.

Please share with us where your statement comes from.
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Please read my statement again. I said that properly used Ghost Ring sights are faster than open sights, not a front bead.

I don't question that just a front bead and pointing is fastest. The problem is that it's very easy to forget to put your cheek in the perfect position. The ghost ring offers a reminder where your head should be while slowing things down very little.

"Hard as it may be to believe, there are still people around who do not know about the "ghost−ring" sight. This sighting system was described in the early decades of the twentieth century by both Townsend Whelen and Karamojo Bell. It is so far superior to any form of open sight, for either snap shooting or precision work, that there is simply nothing to discuss."

Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, Vol 1, No. 9
 
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Well, due to further consideration of my needs and how best to meet them, I have chosen the ghost ring. The LPA ghost ring sits high, with the front sight looking very easy to prune off. The three dot open sights will be harder to acquire than a ghost ring or bead. The bead seems less likely to get damaged due its miniscule size, but the level of precision I could achieve with the bead would be low. Mossberg's factory ghost ring appears to be the best of what they have to offer. They sit lower than the LPA and seem sturdy to me. Thanks for all the comments and advice guys.
 
I have 3 dot fiber optic sights. They work great because they need almost no light to glow bright. Great for home defense and they've worked great for pinking and wing shooting.
 
Although the ghost rings may be tacti-cool, aren't they just something more to get in the way during a HD scenario?
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Nope. Ghost ring sights are quicker on target. I have both bead sights and ghost ring on my shotguns, and I much prefer ghost ring for HD. Beads are fine for hunting.

My opinion of course.
 
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