AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Matthew1969 on September 15, 2017, 05:57:26 AM

Title: I can't see
Post by: Matthew1969 on September 15, 2017, 05:57:26 AM
The last year or so my vision has really gone south. Far is still good, but I cannot see my sights. I ordered a Sharpsight. Anyone here have any experience with them? I've also considered a supplement for vision but am not sure. All input is appreciated. You folks are a mountain of great information!
Matthew
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: EC121 on September 15, 2017, 06:06:13 AM
Punch a hole in some painters tape with a finishing nail head.  Or use the smallest hole on a leather punch.  Stick it on your glasses as test.  It should help once you get it to the right spot for sighting.  All those things can be a pain because they block your normal vision.  You can also put a peepsight on the tang screw to help things, and it won't block your vision.  I drilled and countersunk a piece of metal and bent it to fit the tang screw.  Then drilled a hole to look through.  Might even line up with the normal sights.  I have only done it on a smoothbore with no back sight.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Matthew1969 on September 15, 2017, 06:11:17 AM
I really like that idea with the homemade peep! Thanks a ton!
Matthew
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Darkhorse on September 15, 2017, 08:12:15 AM
A tang mounted peep works for my older eyes. Here's the link to my original post.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=43554.0

I've since done the same thing to my .54 and it works very well also.

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2Fn39aR5%2FCCI06272017_0002_657x1024.jpg&hash=977b0702667e369bd7d004560b7fea165783f6e1) (http://ibb.co/kOq4KQ)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 15, 2017, 03:04:02 PM
Popular subject amongst this crowd! ;)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Bob Roller on September 15, 2017, 03:37:52 PM
Popular subject amongst this crowd! ;)

Cataracts are a real PITB and my next eye appointment is in December.
I am going to see about getting something done sooner.Noticed it was
worse yesterday while setiing up my milling machine.

Bob Roller
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: oldtravler61 on September 15, 2017, 03:55:34 PM
  Ron impressive group nice shooting.
  Not sure about anyone else but a peep sight sure helps me find that front sight a whole lot faster when I'm hunting.
  Been using one in Iowa sitting there December deer season. The guy's I hunt with like to do deer drive's.
  So anything that you see is moving quick. Made a big difference.  Oldtravler
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: EC121 on September 15, 2017, 04:04:18 PM
Here is what I did.  I drilled three holes to see which one worked.  The bottom one was the one.  I need to cut off the top two.  Then polish and cold blue the metal.  I suppose if you drilled them right they could work for elevation.


(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2Fkft3eQ%2Ftang_picture_001.jpg&hash=9303877994b091ece7fafcaea200c6ae1da612e0) (http://ibb.co/cxvGzQ)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Matt / PA on September 15, 2017, 04:27:09 PM
I was a flyfishing guide, fly tier for many years and I can remember in my 20's "making fun of" the old !@#$% and their flip down magnifying lenses.....as I easily tied on a #28 midge on 9x tippet, and then could see a trout take it at 50 feet.
(For you non flyfishers.....if I showed you how small that is you would think I was pulling your leg! ;D)

I fished and shot competitively in complete denial that I was ever going to get older.......then I hit 40. It was like passing through a portal.   :o 

 Between the slow recoveries from injuries, thinking I still had a low 90's fastball, and softer midsection I started to notice the close vision was getting a little sketchy. It would come and go just enough to make me think it wasn't happening..............and now by 45 I can't hold my cell phone far enough from my face where it's clear enough AND still close enough to actually read. I go into a restaurant and I have to take a picture of the menu and blow it up to avoid just pointing at something I don't want to eat LOL  ;)
Something about an astigmatism.
And of course I went from actually being able to shoot open sights pretty decently to "I THINK the front sight is lined up with the top of the rear sight?"
I'm blind!  Well not really but it feels like it..........I mean this is worse than being called "Sir" by an attractive young lady LOL

The kicker for ME is that I'm left eye dominant but shoot righty (A product of a left handed mother / righty father)
So I have 35 years of built up right handed shooting muscle memory and for some reason only my right eye is blurry on the rear sight.......my left eye is crystal clear on the sights! It's like a cruel joke.
So I feel like I have the decision to make of figuring out a fix for the right eye, or simply put the gun in the other hand and start over!

How many of you guys who 'Can't see" have this only seriously affecting one eye? Anyone else have any success flipping to the "wrong" side this far along in the game.
And of course I have all right handed flinters so I'm not sure if I'm risking an eyebrow.





Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: PPatch on September 15, 2017, 05:40:18 PM
The last year or so my vision has really gone south. Far is still good, but I cannot see my sights. I ordered a Sharpsight. Anyone here have any experience with them? I've also considered a supplement for vision but am not sure. All input is appreciated. You folks are a mountain of great information!
Matthew

Matthew; I am going to assume you've had a visit with an ophthalmologist to determine what is going on with your vision...

My eyes suffer from macro degeneration and I take two Lutein soft gels each day, morning and afternoon, in order to aid in further onset of the disease. They are made by Bausch & Lomb are bought over the counter, the complete label reads:

"Bausch & Lomb PreserVision, Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement. AREDS Lutein." A bottle of 100 is about $35.

I too use a small square of black electrical tape with a 1/16th inch hole punched in it and mounted on a spare pair of glasses. Does wonders to clear up those sights.

dave
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: deepcreekdale on September 15, 2017, 06:44:32 PM
Matt/PA, I have the exact same problem. I used to have perfect (20/10) vision in both eyes,  played baseball, shot competitively and all was good. As the years have passed, my right eye is now about 20/80 and my left is still 20/10. I am very left eye dominant also. I can squint and read anything with my left eye but since I shoot right handed, well, you know the story. I have tried shooting left handed but with no success. I am VERY right handed according to a doctor friend of mine that checked me once. I had a pair of shooting glasses made and had them put the area of focus high in the upper left corner of the right lens so it lines up with the sight picture. That helped a bit I also have used electrical tape with a hole drilled but also have one of those suction cup gizzies that has a disc with a small hole in it. The suction cup lets you move it around a little to adjust. Both seem to help but I simply can't see well enough to be a competitive shooter any more. Still fun to shoot though. BTW, you will get used to the young ladies calling you "sir". I guess it would be better than "pops" or "old timer"
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Matthew1969 on September 15, 2017, 07:47:08 PM
Thanks for the replies. Will definitely look into that supplement.
   "It was like passing through a portal" -I cannot think of a better way to put it!
The peep sights are really cool, plus the build it yourself mentality makes it that much more enjoyable. Whenever any of you think you aren't listened to, please remember guys like me out there hanging on your every word.
Matthew
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on September 15, 2017, 11:05:23 PM
I had cataracts removed about a year ago and the new lenses were only for distance vision.  My right eye has always been my worst one and I am right eye dominate.  This creates a real problem.  It got to where I had to sight through the bifocal to see the pistol's front sight; but that required me to bend my head way back and that was murder on my neck.  Rifle sights weren't much better.

In order to read anything I had to get several pair of reading glasses.  I found that low power glasses were what I needed to see gun sights but the higher power ones made reading easier and less of a strain.  I now see front sights well enough to shoot and hit a target.  I think my right eye isn't as good as it was a few months ago but it's difficult to tell.  A few weeks after both eyes were done, the doctor said I had 20/25 vision - both eyes considered.  In truth, I have more vision problems from a swarm of "floaters" that have developed over the last few years.  No cure for that.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Standing Bear on September 16, 2017, 12:11:02 AM
Ophthalmologist asked if I wanted right eye for reading or distance.  After a slight pause I held my right arm straight out thumb up and said I'd like the striations in that thumb nail to plain to see and then as far past as possible.  Worked. Left eye got the distant thing and I wear cheater readers for a necklace.

 Shooting glasses are big lens "bifocals" clear at the top and 2.0
In the reader for loading etc.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: oldtravler61 on September 16, 2017, 01:05:12 AM
  EC121 is that a Duprey smoothie. Oldtravler
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Scota4570 on September 16, 2017, 01:24:26 AM
I need to get new glasses too, I noticed a crack in a lens today.  I have two sets of bifocals, one for computer/ gun work and reading.  The the other is infinite distance and reading.   I may try a pair that is about 6' focus and reader under.  That should be pretty good for the front sight/ target and loading on the bifocal. 

The target does not need to be in perfect focus, the front sight does.  If one believes that they can see both clearly then they are fooling themselves.  They are quickly switching focus between the two.  I they think they can see the both sights and the target at the same time all the more focus shifting is going on. "Use the force", focus on the front sight! 

Avoid progressive lenses.  I see guys doing contortions to focus, it does not work.  My eye doctor is a pretty serious shooter, I'll see what he suggests. 

Pinhole glasses and peeps work.  I wish we could use peep sight for score.  They are historically correct after all.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: mountainman70 on September 16, 2017, 04:03:20 AM
What I am about to tell on myself is most likely heresy,but it works.   I have same probs as most of you. Distance glasses are great to see front sight and target, rear sight fuzzy as my old head..A long time modern gunsmith friend,now passed on to the  Big Gunshop, got me a set of tru glow sights for a lever gun. Rear sight folds down,and aperature is adjustable with really small screws.

On the Hawken style 54 I just finished in the spring, I fitted them in the new dovetails. Have a red dot on front,rear has 2 small greens. I can line everything up with my distance specs,and go to rear and line up level with the green dots.Boom!!! At 50 yds I am hitting target,at the present time,I am in process of dialing it in,but at least I CAN SEE the things,and enjoy shooting again.
 Now,in our club, I don't think these sights are kosher for match shooting,but I aint kosher,anyway,tho I do like the Kosher food.
I just shoot for my own enjoyment,and the fellowship of the other guys. 8) :o :P  Dave
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Dale Halterman on September 16, 2017, 12:39:07 PM
Peep sights may not be the answer for those (I am one) who have astigmatism. I put one on my latest rifle, but with a small aperture the hole appears kidney shaped and I still can't find the center. A hole large enough to appear round is seems way too big. Still trying to sort it out.

Dale H
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: WKevinD on September 16, 2017, 03:26:06 PM
I like the look of small sights and install them on most builds (by request) and I have put new taller fatter front sights and taller rears with deep V cuts or the TOW peeps on a whole bunch of guns this year as well as rear sights on smoothbores.
I just changed my little, low sights on my personal flinter to fat and tall and shot a fifty last week, first time in a long while!
Must be that everybody's eyes started failing at the same time or we have been in denial.
Kevin
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Scota4570 on September 16, 2017, 05:03:15 PM
"I put one on my latest rifle, but with a small aperture the hole appears kidney shaped and I still can't find the center."

Try a larger hole?  Tiny pinhole apertures do crisp up the sight picture but they are difficult to use unless you have great light.

Your over thinking it.  Stop trying to, "center it up".  It is unnecessary to pay any attention to putting the front sight in the center of the hole....really! 

I also have an astigmatism.   Try wearing your glasses?  I also do not see a round hole.  They all look like a piece of lint is stuck in the hole.  Ignore it.   
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on September 16, 2017, 09:24:25 PM
IMHO, a large ring - called a "ghost" ring - is preferable to a tiny peep.  On my modern rifles that have receiver sights, I took out the peep inserts and just use the ghost ring.

I still remember - prior to learning my lesson - clearly seeing a buck approaching my stand.  Raising the rifle and aiming through the peep; he just disappeared.  lowering the rifle showed he was still there.  That's when I got rid of all the peep inserts in the receiver sights.  True peeps are fine in good light while viewing targets; but nowhere else.

Sometimes "a man's got to do what a man's got to do".  The Duke.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Dale Halterman on September 17, 2017, 12:07:30 AM
I'm sure I am over thinking it. I was an engineer before retiring and it is a hard habit to break. I am making up a new aperture with a compromise between the two I have tried already. Need to make up a smaller front bead, too.

Hanshi, that is exactly what I did on my modern hunting rifle back before I could afford a decent scope. Mounted a receiver sight and, just like you, lost a buck because the insert was too small. But this rifle is strictly for target shooting.

Dale H
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: smylee grouch on September 17, 2017, 05:38:28 AM
Ah yes, 70+ year old eyes. If you arn't there yet I hope you make it. I got tired of trying to find those skinny sights I used to see almost in the dark but now cant find any time. On my last rifle I put a rather course front sight brass bead on top of a steel blade and made a rear sight with the sight blade slanting to the front like the dangerous game guns of the British. I engraved a triangle under the facing side under the notch with the peak right at the bottom of the notch. I then tinned the engraved part over with silver solder and dressed that down with sand paper so only the engraved lines still had the solder in them. It isn't target grade but it works good for these 70+ year old eyes for hunting.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: thecapgunkid on September 18, 2017, 01:41:30 PM
The worst part of getting old is...getting old.

I got the cataract part fixed but sights were a real problem still.  Soooo....

On my own guns I annealed a .45LC casing.  I cut a strip off the rim of the shell, put my gun in a vice, wrapped the brass around the rear of the front sight and tapped it tight with pliers and ball peen.   Filed it down and  soldered, or even crazy glued it on.

This thickened my already thick sight and I just needle filed the notch of the rear sight a llittle to get everything more visible.  On one gun I went so far as to install one of those rear sights that was more of a crescent than a buck horn so I could frame the target.

More importantly, the local Guru gunmaker amongst the Catskill clubs I shoot with taught me to place the rear sight where you can best see it on the barrel before you start dovetailing.

Works for me.

Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: smokinbuck on September 18, 2017, 07:03:33 PM
Macular degeneration took away the use of my right eye about 15 years ago. After more than 50 years of shooting right handed, learning to do it left was a long term PITA. While learning the left thing I put a pair of mirrors on a rifle that allowed me to shoot right handed with my left eye. It made the transition a little easier.Now I just do it lefty and use peep sights on my target rifles. If using open sights I use a Merit peep in my glasses.
Mark
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: AwwNaww on September 19, 2017, 11:51:23 PM
The aperture, either clip-on or electrical tape helped me for quite a while. For my Olympic pistol shooting, I bought some cheap mail order prescription glasses from china and bumped the shooting eye up a diopter. Some people cannot tolerate having one eye focus closer than the other but it works for me.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: thecapgunkid on September 22, 2017, 01:49:03 PM
smokinbuck..." While learning the left thing I put a pair of mirrors on a rifle that allowed me to shoot right handed with my left eye. ...
Mark"


OK, Mark...how'd you do this?

My cataract surgery did its job well, but the eye doctor detected some Mac D in my left eye.  If it ever goes to my right eye I'd like to know about this.  Thanks

Capgun
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: smokinbuck on September 23, 2017, 12:56:08 AM
Capgun,
I don't post but if you, or someone, will I'll send some pics.
Mark
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: smokinbuck on September 28, 2017, 03:30:18 PM
Sorry fellows. Daryl posted pics of my sights but they were mounted on an unmentionable and Dennis pulled them. Anyone wanting to see how I did it, email me and I will forward pics.
Mark
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Tim Crosby on September 28, 2017, 04:04:27 PM
Lasik eye surgery. Had it done 12 years ago, best money I ever spent. Simple procedure, you will not believe the results.

   Tim C.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Dennis Glazener on September 28, 2017, 04:54:51 PM
My son-in-law was very near sighted, both eyes and recently had lasik both eyes done at the same time! Three days later he left the country for a week, I told him he was braver than me to get both done at once plus knowing he had to be out of the country for a week! He had no problems at all, sees fine and does not need glasses at all.
Dennis
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on September 28, 2017, 08:05:56 PM
Lasik eye surgery. Had it done 12 years ago, best money I ever spent. Simple procedure, you will not believe the results.

   Tim C.


Depending of course, on what is wrong with your eyes.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Tim Crosby on September 28, 2017, 10:05:41 PM
Lasik eye surgery. Had it done 12 years ago, best money I ever spent. Simple procedure, you will not believe the results.

   Tim C.


Depending of course, on what is wrong with your eyes.

 Correct. I should have mentioned that I was not a candidate for Lasik but instead had PRK surgery, very similar to Lasik. I have a tendency to combine similar things into one. As in I call both my truck and car cars. Whatever, the procedure it is worth looking into.
 Here is a link explaining PRK:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photorefractive_keratectomy


 Tim C. 
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 01, 2017, 08:51:36 AM

The kicker for ME is that I'm left eye dominant but shoot righty (A product of a left handed mother / righty father)
So I have 35 years of built up right handed shooting muscle memory and for some reason only my right eye is blurry on the rear sight.......my left eye is crystal clear on the sights! It's like a cruel joke.
So I feel like I have the decision to make of figuring out a fix for the right eye, or simply put the gun in the other hand and start over!

I have a friend, who through his diabetes, went blind in his right eye. He switched to being a left handed, left eyed shooter, overnight. It might take you longer, but since you are left eyed with some vision in your right eye - you are well ahead of his game.  He did tell me that after a shot period of time, shooting left handed became natural to him.  There is hope, grasshopper.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: HAWKEN on October 01, 2017, 09:16:25 PM
My son-in-law was very near sighted, both eyes and recently had lasik both eyes done at the same time!

I had both eyes done about 10 years ago and went from being nearsighted to  being farsighted instantly.  It was one of the best decisions I ever made.  So far, so good, but if my right eye vision deteriorates I will still be ok.  I taught my self to shoot left handed because if a squirrel, rabbit or deer appeared on my right side, it is simpler to shoot lefty than swinging my whole body around.  Keep yer powder dry...........robin  :)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Joe S. on October 01, 2017, 09:43:47 PM
After reading threads like these its no wonder anybody hits anything.It my belief that there's a certain amount of muscle memory from years of shooting,while you think your sight picture is less than ideal.......your brain knows,,maybe you ain't the hawk eye you used to be,you aint touchin holes off hand like the old days but I sure wouldn't want to be down field from us when shots fired in anger start ;)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 01, 2017, 09:56:06 PM
After reading threads like these its no wonder anybody hits anything.It my belief that there's a certain amount of muscle memory from years of shooting,while you think your sight picture is less than ideal.......your brain knows,,maybe you ain't the hawk eye you used to be,you aint touchin holes off hand like the old days but I sure wouldn't want to be down field from us when shots fired in anger start ;)

truer words never spoken
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: sqrldog on October 01, 2017, 10:26:16 PM
Take alook at the rear sight on the Nathaniel Rowe rifle in the vitual Museum. Must have had old eyes back then also. Tim
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on October 01, 2017, 10:35:21 PM
I'm right eye dominant but started off, as a kid, shooting left handed with BB guns.  Back then I never used the sights; I shot the BB guns like one would shoot a shotgun.  No idea when I switched but it had to be fairly early on.  Even now I have killed deer shooting left handed when trying to turn for a RH shot was awkward.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: bob in the woods on October 02, 2017, 04:50:45 AM
A friend called me tonight , complaining about his inability to see the sights of his rifle. He was actually thinking about not hunting this Fall because of this. He's coming over tomorrow to see the set up I have on my rifle , and try it out. With the shallow " V " rear sight and a wide front sight, I'm able to simply put the front sight on what I want to hit and the rest happens automatically
. It is simply the best arrangement I've found for older eyes. I'm betting he'll do fine with it. When shooting, I'm not really conscious of the rear sight at all...it's that large front sight that counts.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 02, 2017, 09:48:08 PM
A large bead also works well with this rear sight - for failing eyes.  The wide V does not produce the horrific fuzziness that comes from V or U notches.  The front sight sits in the wide V perfectly, with

 little or no need to try to get it centered as you do with V or U notches - it just sits there, in the middle - put it over the target and shoot!
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Matt / PA on October 03, 2017, 05:16:23 AM
A friend called me tonight , complaining about his inability to see the sights of his rifle. He was actually thinking about not hunting this Fall because of this. He's coming over tomorrow to see the set up I have on my rifle , and try it out. With the shallow " V " rear sight and a wide front sight, I'm able to simply put the front sight on what I want to hit and the rest happens automatically
. It is simply the best arrangement I've found for older eyes. I'm betting he'll do fine with it. When shooting, I'm not really conscious of the rear sight at all...it's that large front sight that counts.

Hmmmmmmm.......... 8)
I think I'm picturing this correctly and if so I can see (no pun intended) how this could work for me. Like Daryl said the small U notches i have been using give me terrible fuzziness.
I think eliminating looking through that notch but still having a point of reference could be the ticket. The front sight isnt the problem.....its seeing the darn thing through the haze of those rear lines.
I might just break out the files tomorrow and do my best to destroy a perfectly lovely looking rear sight!  ;D
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 03, 2017, 07:22:09 PM
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv638%2FDarylS%2Fsights%2FExpresssightpicure.jpg&hash=1defcbd0518dea453ba798199e2a6320923fb9cb) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DarylS/media/sights/Expresssightpicure.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv638%2FDarylS%2Fsights%2Fsights3.jpg&hash=6083b489455dcaa4317b18cb12f5e4f713e317f1) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DarylS/media/sights/sights3.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv638%2FDarylS%2Fsights%2Fsights2.jpg&hash=49f63f84e6b56bf2aa9ede2b92c35009f0ee1133) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DarylS/media/sights/sights2.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv638%2FDarylS%2Fsights%2F5ee6a55e.jpg&hash=80573ee22d990ecd32a9e69a4a57b09d209a85d8) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DarylS/media/sights/5ee6a55e.jpg.html)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: rich pierce on October 03, 2017, 08:09:35 PM
I can't see the pix. I looked for the Merit disk for eyeglasses but struck out. I made an aperture and taped it to my glasses last night. Didn't get to range but rear sight was much clearer.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 04, 2017, 10:25:48 PM
Sry Rich - those are photobucket pictures. I uploaded the photobucket fix so they and all previous photobucket pictures appear as normal to me.

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FiO3Eqb%2Fsights_4.jpg&hash=f47241e9723d0b40c830addb72c302c3ac9fb49c) (http://ibb.co/njfG3w)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FfyC2bG%2Fsights_3.jpg&hash=414ca7964cfba79b078965a60c5c508f672a223f) (http://ibb.co/dYKR3w)

image upload (http://imgbb.com/)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2Fjrmjqb%2Fsights_2.jpg&hash=a32b61e782a4bce79359219cb4f4669226b8ffe3) (http://ibb.co/fzHqVb)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FhYOfVb%2Fsights_1.jpg&hash=e408f766e858f1cec0bdafe5ebc08cdc663b1528) (http://ibb.co/h2WpOw)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FdDC2bG%2FExpress_Front_Sight.png&hash=5e7f5df27cae63cf1eeace6cb5cddf29c489a0ac) (http://ibb.co/mgjtiw)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpreview.ibb.co%2FngvSAb%2FExpress_sight_picure.png&hash=260b26aec0df2f7e5c160c6e05b20a75d1148b7b) (http://ibb.co/g983iw)
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Matt / PA on October 04, 2017, 10:52:36 PM
Man I LIKE that!  (That's what I was picturing) 
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: rich pierce on October 05, 2017, 02:41:44 AM
I can see them now. Thanks, Daryl.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Turtle on October 05, 2017, 02:04:15 PM
 One simple fix that helps me and others is to widen the rear sight notch so it appears at least 2 times as wide as the front sight. The extra light on each side helps. I widened one much more than that for an old friend, and he was pleased at the improvement in sight picture and amazed that it shot just as good groups. On his I also put on a wider front sight. I was skeptical this would shoot well and it looked strange, but he was desperate to keep shooting and be range legal.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on October 05, 2017, 08:32:23 PM
I widened the rear notch on my smoothbore at least 2X the width of the widest notch on my other gun.  The front sight is, for me, much easier to see and I can shoot quite accurately - for me, that is.  Up to 50 or so yards I can shoot 3-shot groups with it that don't look that shoddy when compared with my grooved bore guns.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on October 07, 2017, 07:45:01 PM
About six months ago, I found I had sighting issues with my good (right) eye.  Looking through aperture sights, it appears that there is a fuzzy stick coming into the aperture at 3 o'clock, ending in the centre of the aperture with a bulb of bigger fuzz, in other words, completely blocking out the bull.  Load testing and shooting enjoyment went into the toilet.  So I went to my optometrist for a routine check up and he had very bad news for me.  But he recommended a specialist, and eventually, I got my appointment to see him.  His news is much better...I have a posterior subcapsular cataract which has made my lens cloudy.  He can (and will) replace the lens and says he can give me 20/20 vision.  I cannot wait, but wait I must - about four months.  Never take for granted your good health.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on October 07, 2017, 09:54:30 PM
That is good news, Taylor.  The best - after lense replacement - prognosis I got was 20/25.  I don't really think I quite have it that good.  I use 1.25 reading glasses that allows me to at least see the front sight, which is the important thing to me.  But I can only see a vague target even with contrasting colors.  The most problematic thing for me is the floaters.  I have a couple of large ones and a "bee" swarm of bitsy ones; they have me frustrated to say the least.  I've even started learning to aim by using my sense of smell!  :o
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: taco650 on October 08, 2017, 02:16:48 PM
Guess you could always mount a scope on it...

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

At 54 years old, I'm getting to that point myself.  I can still get my no-line bifocals to line up my sights ok at 50 yards but 100 is more mysterious LOL! 
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Carney Pace on October 08, 2017, 07:01:04 PM
77 and still shooting open sights.  Have had cataract surgery, need reading glasses but no other,

I take my flinter to the optometrist and go outside, sight at some object about 125 yds.  He uses the old hand held adjuster that has lenses that he replaces until the sight clear up. THEN I have a pair of shooting lenses put into frames with the top 2/3rds the prescription.

A friend went to him and had the same thing done.  He did not go outside just sighted in the exam room!  His sights are perfect at about 20 feet. 
You need to make sure the prescription is for about 125 yds.

Sometimes you can take a rear sight and double back tape it to the barrel, move it forward until sight picture is clear at about 125 yds.  Cut a new sight slot. Enjoy clear sighting.  Have seen rifles with at least 4 slots, that would be a one rifle shooter.

Carney
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: hanshi on October 08, 2017, 10:18:46 PM
I don't care about seeing the rear sight or the target clearly; but the front sight must be clean for me to shoot with any accuracy.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: Daryl on October 09, 2017, 04:30:13 AM
That is good news, Taylor.  The best - after lense replacement - prognosis I got was 20/25.  I don't really think I quite have it that good.  I use 1.25 reading glasses that allows me to at least see the front sight, which is the important thing to me.  But I can only see a vague target even with contrasting colors.  The most problematic thing for me is the floaters.  I have a couple of large ones and a "bee" swarm of bitsy ones; they have me frustrated to say the least.  I've even started learning to aim by using my sense of smell!  :o

Good news for him - I was starting to think he was mortal afterall, when  shooting against him with his failing eyesight - after the "FIX"- he'd likely to be immortal again.
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: rich pierce on October 09, 2017, 11:34:32 PM
Glad they can fix you up, Taylor.  Should be good for another 30 years or do. 
Title: Re: I can't see
Post by: wet willy on October 10, 2017, 02:22:20 AM
Like #53 response above, the critical factor is seeing the front sight crisp & clear. Cataract surgery, Lasik, PRK,  apertures, tape w/pinholes etc. aside.

(I shot at some considerable distance where fog/rain/mist almost obscured the B & W target. Coach said hold on the darkest part of the blur ... I did, and others also, scores were admirable. That taught me a lesson!)

So if I shoot NMLRA musket, for example, want the front sight blade crisp, OK that the target & rear sight fuzzy. Yes, rules allows a small hole in the rear sight leaf, but it is too far away to help me much.

Keep tinkering with reading spectacles of various strengths (diopters), they are an inexpensive alternative.  But be certain to see an ophthalmologist to catch glaucoma, cataracts, mac deg, that no spectacles can ever fix.