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Rapid Acquisition Sights Evaluation

 

FOREWORD

 

   I have done a LOT of research on rapid acquisition sights. Aside from those I've personally used and evaluated, I've also spent quite a bit of time making mockups of various types (usually bits of construction paper affixed to the existing sights to simulate different setups). I've gone through many thousands of rounds on the range, and as practice, I sit in front of the TV bringing the gun up and down repeatedly, transitioning from target to target. Aside from action shooting sight practices, I also use slower, traditionally aimed sequences to evaluate what would constitute best in overall accuracy.

 

   There are currently 3 sight systems on the market that are worth mentioning. By "worth mentioning", I mean that they are novel, unique and innovative. That is something RARE in today's firearms and accessories. Most of the industry is busy rehashing and repackaging the hundred year old ideas of John Browning. No doubt he was a great man, but it's time to move on folks!

  

The three types of sights I find to be "new" and worth mentioning are:

 

 

If anyone knows of any others worth mentioning, please let me know.

 

AND NOW THE EVALUATION...

 

 

 

Goshen Hexsite

 

     

   The Goshen sight is basically a new evolution of the "ghost-ring" style sights. Ghost rings have always been known for fast and natural alignment. Their drawback was always in the fine alignment. The Goshen attempts to attenuate the alignment by creating a hex instead of a circle. They go an extra step towards accuracy in adding a notch to the front sight.

 

   The Goshen is a novel concept, but I'm not sure I buy everything they claim on their website. These sights were fairly quick to acquire, but in my opinion, the aiming ability still falls short. If I were a cop, this is probably not an issue, as most hostile engagements take place inside the 7 meter mark. As an action shooter, I sometimes have to engage targets that are 4 or 5 times that far. I also disagree with the inventor's assumption that flat black is not a disadvantage in low light situations. I have shot quite a few low-light PPC matches, and the brighter the better. The final drawback is that the front sight is a small, dark bit that you are trying to find quickly. The rear sight is easily capable of obscuring it completely.

 

 

Advantage Tactical Sight

 

   The Advantage Tactical Sight has a pyramid concept that the eye naturally “wants” to align. It comes with different color inserts that you can swap out to your liking. I do like the ability to choose a color, but I find the rear sight to be rather large, and the front sight to be too small for my taste. The large rear sight can easily obscure the front sight when trying to gain a fast sight picture (ie: you can lose the front sight behind the rear). This sight might be better if the rear was somehow skeletonized, but even then, the front is tough to find.

 

 

 

SureSight

 

 

   Upon bringing a handgun into battery against a target, the front sight is what you are trying to acquire and focus on. As such, it is better if it is a LARGE and highly visible target. This is why the SureSight gets my vote as the hands-down winner.

 

   It aligns so fast and natural, it seems almost automatic. In the pictures above, you can see that there is absolutely no way that one could lose the front sight behind the rear. Also, the front sight is bigger than anything else on the market (It actually has 2 or 3 times the surface area of anything else I've ever seen). It accomplishes this, yet still fits in most holsters without rubbing the sight channel.

 

    In the animations below, you can see how the eye simply "wants" to align this sight.

 

 

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