Rear Sight

[Jerry]

A recent visit to the range prompted me to reach out to everyone about my rear sight. The range I use is situated so shooting directly into the sun. My front sight is brass. I have problems with a getting a good sight picture. I find it difficult picking up the rear sight. I currently put white out on the back of the blade of the rear sight. Thanks, in advance. Jerry

[wvmtnman]

I shoot NSSA.  When it’s extremely sunny, I take a black sharpie marker to my muskets front sight to darken it.  Helps me out.  Plus, easy to clean. 
               Brian

[RichG]

Can you set up a dining canopy? Whenever I'm sighting in I use a canopy to prevent the sun from messing with my sights. If not birchwood casey makes a spray on sight black that works good.

[smylee grouch]

I use a shader.



These made from sheet brass but you can make them from card board for on the spot use.

[Daryl]

Dry erase black felt markers are flat black, not shiny like permanent markers. This is important.
 Ordinary felt pen is better than nothing, but not a lot better.

[Eric Krewson]

I ran into the same problem the other day, I found a small rattle can of a product called "sight black" in a shooting box of accessories that a friend gave me, it worked just fine. Candle soot or a dry erase marker would work well also.

[Daryl]

I still have a can of sight black. Now, I actually prefer the dry erase felt marker. It's faster and more precise.

[Scota4570]

My range is the same way.  Because ML shoots have lots of carried targets a center hold is best for me.  If it was just ring targets
I'd use a 6 O'clock hold.   

I cut a thin notch down the back side of my front sight.  I then filled it with silver solder and dressed it down.  IN normal conditions I can see the silver line against the black target.  When the sun is in my face the whole front sight is visible.  I have yet to figure out the hold off for side lighting. 

Shaders are great but I think they are not allowed in NMLRA aggregates.  Maybe someone can confirm or deny this. 

[smylee grouch]

Shaders are allowed in many NMLRA matches but not all. I do the same with the silver solder in the sight blade. Flux it, solder it and dress it flush. Shows up nice with a shader covering it.

[Scota4570]

It said rear sight..... 

I use a rectangular slit about 0.040" wide and a flat top blade front sight about 0.1" wide.  I can not see the rear sight other than to look through it and take my best guess.  It is supposed to be that way.  Always focus on the front sight.  A peep sight or pinhole on my shooting glasses is a huge help if allowed.   

[Fyrstyk]

I made a sight shader out of a piece of 1.5" diameter black PVC well pipe.  I cut a slit in it to fit onto the 9 & 3 O'clock flats of the barrel.  Easy to put on and take off and it doesn't mar the barrel.

[Daryl]

I see a flat black rear sight just fine. Fuzzy, but fine.LOL
Dry erase marker pens do exactly this - no shine.