Experienced Gunsmiths at Darkside Tactical Can Help You Find the Optics and Gun Sights to Improve Your Accuracy and Performance.
Finding a gun can be an extremely stressful and time-consuming process. It’s important to have an understanding of what you need from the gun before you buy it. It’s also more than just the gun—it’s often important to pick the proper modifications and accessories to accompany it. Finding the proper sight for your uses can make the difference in your shooting performance. Sights act as your eyes on the range or in the field, so it’s important to invest in them, both financially and in the time necessary to find the one for you.
The gunsmiths at Darkside Tactical can help you decide on the best sights and optics to go with your gun. Their expertise will ensure your have the most accurate shot possible.
Typical Sights
For many guns, especially shotguns and rifles, they often come with sights built in. They are also common on navigational equipment. These typically have a front and rear-aiming piece that must be aligned to work properly. Depending on the gun, they can be fixed or adjustable, and they can come in two different kinds of sighting.
They are usually aperture sights (closed sight) or notch sights (open sight). In addition, they can gauge wind resistance, elevation, and target speed. Sometimes they can prove tricky to use, especially for new gun users. The front end resides on the front of the barrel, and the adjustable back sight sits above the action.
Iron Sights
These sights don’t use additional optics and are generally fixed to the gun, though the sights can be adjusted. They use a small hole where the shooter can see through and typically have metal markers on the inside. They can help to align your shot, but aren’t used largely for precision shooting.
Optical Sights
For long-range shooters, optical sights can provide a more accurate aim. They superimpose an image or shooting point at the aligned target. The power on these can be adjusted to provide a more zoomed in version, giving shooters a higher chance of accuracy.
Telescopic Sights
These are commonly referred to as scopes and are one of the most common types of optical sights. They are most often found on rifles, but can be used on shotguns as well. They magnify the range in front of the shooter, and provide a point of reference as to where the shooter should aim. The point of reference is normally T-shaped and splits the scope into four equal portions. Shooters should typically aim for where the two line cross.
Reflector Sights
While telescopic sights use a magnifying element, reflector sights do not. Rather, they use a curved glass or mirror component to create an image. This is typically a target that is then superimposed on the object or target. It makes the target move with the gun, allowing for improved accuracy and overall performance. Oftentimes the target is a red dot. These are usually seen in shotguns, and have been commonly used since their invention on both guns and aircraft.
Holographic sights use this same premise, but without the mirror or glass. They superimpose a holograph onto the target, which is usually a circular target. When the holograph lands on top of your actual target, that’s when you take the shot.
Laser Sight
Most commonly seen in handguns, laser sights can greatly improve accuracy, even from long distances. The sight emits a laser beam that goes parallel with the barrel. It emits a red dot onto the target and without obstruction, can go quite a considerable distance. These are great if you are a sporting shooter and practice in a range. It can also be beneficial if the lighting in an area isn’t the greatest.
Collimator Sight
For those looking for a more affordable option than telescopic scopes, the collimator sight can be a great option. These sights have commonly been used in shooting. It’s a small tube, and users keep both eyes open during use—one eye on the target and the other in the sight. It creates a more accurate shot than shooting without a scope, but it’s not as powerful or as effective as the other models.
Night Vision Devices
These are not generally attached to the gun or weapon, but can be a necessary accessory if you plan on shooting anywhere at night. It is usually worn on the face and converts visible light into images that you typically wouldn’t be able to see at night. Most of the physical objects in the space on displayed as a lighter color, allowing you to see where you’re going, as well as what you’re shooting.
They also have a thermal option, which detects and shows anything with thermal heat. This is a great option for night hunting, as it detects the thermal body heat of the animals in your range.
Spotting Scopes
It’s common to have a scope built into your gun, but for avid hunters, there are additional scopes that can prove beneficial. Spotting scopes can detect longer ranges and sit atop a stand. They are easily set up and come in a portable case that fits neatly with your other gear. They can determine where your game is at in relation to your location. Once you’ve located your target, you can close the distance and use the scope on your weapon for an accurate shot.
For individuals who are shopping for guns, it can be necessary to modify them with the proper sights or optics. Using a gunsmith to create a customized weapon will allow you to build in those sights and provide the best possible accuracy and performance. For more information about the expert gunsmiths at Darkside Tactical, visit their website, as well as their online inventory here.
