Sights and Poor Eyesight - Solutions

[DeltaBishop]

Question: If you get your CCW, and find yourself in a situation where you may need to use your weapon, do you usually have your glasses on, or do you only wear them when needed?

THAT is a great question - and the all-important one! Really depends. If I'm working they're on about 60 percent of the time. My most anticipate need would be while working in "blighted areas" in some SF Bay Area and Central Valley cities. I go into places where "residents" are often squatting and the "police escorts" I used to get have been cut due to budget issues. Might look at the blended-bifocal solution someone just mentioned.

[DeltaBishop]

I let a buddy shoot my Glock with the Big Dots - he is 61 years old, and was not wearing glasses of any sort (he needs reading glasses inside of 3'-4'). He is now ordering sets of Big Dots for all his carry guns.

They are not a precision/bullseye sight - they are an excellent combat sight.

I'm gonna try these I think. I noticed that sights with larger dots DID help at the range.

[DeltaBishop]

I have noticed a big difference in sights if I am shooting indoor vs. outdoor. Just saying.

I noticed this as well. At an indoor range with lights on the target the sights are much less visible. What I really need is to figure what would work in a normal "situation" lighting scenario. Thanks.

[VMCJ-3]

I just shot a IDPA match, for the first time in awhile. I was not pleased when my old eyes seemed to want to go from right eye dominant, to left eye dominant.
It was my first time out with my G34, and the GNS were just a blur. I've got a Dawson fiber optic on the front of my SSP/Production gun, I think that I will check out the Big Dots for the Glock.

[HighLander51]

Is there anything out there that would fix this problem - either in sights or another type of vision correction? Laser Grips would solve the problem, but I can't do that if I want to conceal carry.

I would appreciate any constructive input.

Thanks in advance!

Lasers and trick sights will not fix your problem. You need to get an intermediate correction by an eye doctor that causes you to focus on the front sight, it has to be razor sharp, not bifocals, or trifocals, just a new pair of glasses. The target and the rear sights can be blurred, that doesn't matter. The typical correction is dominant eye to front sight and weak eye to infinity.

[DeltaBishop]

If a laser is not allowed, I guess a Trijicon RMR on a G26 would probably be out as well. If they are allowed, they look fantastic but could cost quite a bit of money. I would recommend XS big dot night sights unless you have a lot of money lying around... or do something with your glasses and not actually modifying the gun (i.e someone said bi-focals)

I just Googled that - how cool! I want it! It's worth asking at least if it's possible...

[DeltaBishop]

Lasers and trick sights will not fix your problem. You need to get an intermediate correction by an eye doctor that causes you to focus on the front sight, it has to be razor sharp, not bifocals, or trifocals, just a new pair of glasses. The target and the rear sights can be blurred, that doesn't matter. The typical correction is dominant eye to front sight and weak eye to infinity.

With my glasses I can focus well on my front sight - but my target is soooooo blurred as to make it it nearly indistinguishable from its surroundings. Not a good thing in a sticky situation... Oh to have the vision I had when I was 20!

[HighLander51]

With my glasses I can focus well on my front sight - but my target is soooooo blurred as to make it it nearly indistinguishable from its surroundings. Not a good thing in a sticky situation... Oh to have the vision I had when I was 20!

Yea, well me too. Nothing like the ability to see .2LR holes at 100 yards, but now I can't see 9mm holes past about 12 yards, and I still do quite well in USPSA/Steel Challenge and 3 Gun.

True, an optic (dot) is an option, but you will need alot of time on the gun to get fast at acquiring targets. You won't need correction for a dot because it projects on the target in the same focal plane. I have 2 Open Glocks with dots for competition, but for carry, I prefer regular sights.

Open Dot




carry guns (2 in the middle)

[tal3nt]

I'll mention another brand of sights that just came to mind (that I have no experience with) that may be like something you are looking for. Advantage Tactical sights, it's the one that lines up like a pyramid.

[DeltaBishop]

You folks have been a HUGE help to this new kid on the block. For someone that's been away from it for a while - it's almost information overload. You've given me a lot to think about and look into - and if nothing else - the right questions to ask. A very big THANKS to you all.

I'll check back in. Hope this thread helps someone else in the same boat as well.

[asgalindez]

With my glasses I can focus well on my front sight - but my target is soooooo blurred as to make it it nearly indistinguishable from its surroundings. Not a good thing in a sticky situation... Oh to have the vision I had when I was 20!

Is this the case at any distance? How bad is the target out to 20yds or so?

In a defensive situation as a CCW holder, I am assuming you will be engaging targets at close range. Hard to justify (in CA, at least) why you felt you needed to shoot a guy 50yds away from you.

But I'm not a CCW holder. I'm just working off assumptions here.

[unusedusername]

If they won't let you put a laser on a carry gun, then why would they let you change the sights?

It is the same thing, isn't it?

Both of these requirements are not codified in law, so perhaps you should post about it in the LTC forum and help the right people to fix it.

[DeltaBishop]

Is this the case at any distance? How bad is the target out to 20yds or so?

In a defensive situation as a CCW holder, I am assuming you will be engaging targets at close range. Hard to justify (in CA, at least) why you felt you needed to shoot a guy 50yds away from you.

But I'm not a CCW holder. I'm just working off assumptions here.

10 yard - 15 yards - 20 yards --- if my reading glasses are on to see my sights - it's all a blur at any of those distances. If my glasses are off all those distances are crystal clear and my sights are a blur.

[HighLander51]

10 yard - 15 yards - 20 yards --- if my reading glasses are on to see my sights - it's all a blur at any of those distances. If my glasses are off all those distances are crystal clear and my sights are a blur.

You won't hit anything unless your front sight is razor sharp.

[Rangem4]

I believe you have solved my problem sir

Bi-focals are great for this, You could have your optometrist order up some with the reading glasses in the lower portion and clear glass in the upper.

at 65 I'm wearing blended trifocals. I can see the front sight in the middle portion and the target in the top. I had them build me a set just for range use. My doc is a shooter my age, and knew just what I needed.

What a great idea, the top lens for the long distance or target, the middle for front site front site and the lower for looking at your firearm to load or inspect etc.
Good idea!
My Eye Doctor and I are going to have a talk.