Hello all,
When I first got my handgun a guy that worked at the shop I purchased it from took me over to thier range and showed me through a few things....
He started to explain to me different sights but I stoped him because I thought I knew how to aim, just light up the front with the rear and then put it over the target....
However now that I think about it what he was drawing out was kinda different...
He was saying something about there bieng 2 different ways of sighting?

Does anyone know what I'm talking about or can fill me in?

I'f I'm not mistaken I believe he was drawing that you could
1. Line up the front sight with the rear to where it makes a perfect block (so to speak) and then place that squarely in the center of the bulls eye

or

2. Line up the rear sight with the bottom of teh bullseye and then place the front post higher and in the center of the bullseye??

Can someone kinda elaborate on this?
Thanks!

Your instructor was most probably explaining the "center" hold and the "6 O'Clock" hold.

In both cases the front sight is centered in the rear sight with the top of the sight blade even with the top of the rear sight.

For a center hold, this sight picture is held in the center of the target.

For a 6 O'Clock hold, the target is balanced on the top of the front sight blade.

Again, in both instances, the front and rear sights are aligned, ie, front sight centered in the rear sight and level with the top of the rear sight.

So what does the different holds do to shooting?

Just personal preference. Either will work... key is a consistent hold, every time.

Well let me ask you this....
The last time I was at the range I got to shoot a friends 9mm that had fixed sights on it...
No matter what it always shot low and to the left...
Is this common with fixed sights? or should fixed sights be dead on?

99 GT: A properly aligned sight will shoot to point of aim regardless of it being fixed or adjustable. Most/Many inaccuracies are caused by the shooter. Grip strength, position, and many other points to learn. AS to the two types of "sight picture" used. Generally the 6 o'clock hold is strictly for bullseye type targets. The center hold is used for hunting as there are NO bullseyes on the critters. Pepe Ray

I'd been banging away for years and thought I knew what I was doing until an Alabama State Trooper firearms instructor changed my ways. His instructions were to "put the front sight on the target. Keep it there no matter what. Then all you have to do is work on the up and down. Once you have the front sight on, then bring the rear up/down till its centered. Then pull the trigger like you are pulling the front sight backwards through the rear sight". Works for me.

rk

I'd been banging away for years and thought I knew what I was doing until an Alabama State Trooper firearms instructor changed my ways. His instructions were to "put the front sight on the target. Keep it there no matter what. Then all you have to do is work on the up and down. Once you have the front sight on, then bring the rear up/down till its centered. Then pull the trigger like you are pulling the front sight backwards through the rear sight". Works for me.

rk

You know I'll have to try that......
The way I have always done it, bb guns and all has been set the target in the rear sight and then move the front until it fills up the gap in the rear.....
Thanks!

99GT, To answer your question of what is an aperture sight it is a closed sight system versus on open sight. The aperture is a closed disk with a hole through the center. You peer through the hole and focus on the front sight and your target. The hole in the disk will appear blurred but subconsiously your eyes will center the front sight.