Blurred vision!

I recently bought a fairly old book at a car boot sale on how to shoot target pistols. It was written by John Chandler and published by Target Gun. In it he strongly makes the point about concentrating on the foresight even if the target becomes blurred. I have tried this and it does seem to help but my sight is such that when I really concentrate on the front sight, I can hardly see the target at all. Is there another method or compromise?

Though the book is old and sadly the great coach John Chandler is no longer with us, his method remains as important today as when he wrote that book. Vision varies from person to person so the effect we may describe, draw or simulate in a photograph in a book or article won't be what everyone sees. The important thing here is that the target remains perfectly still, even if it is blurred, whereas your hand trying to align the sights on a pistol does not. It is critical that the foresight is in sharp focus so that the sights can be precisely aligned; that means getting the light gap either side of the foresight within the notch in the rearsight equal, and the top of the front post level with the top of the rearsight. Your sights should be adjusted so that the sights so aligned can be positioned in the ‘six o'clock' area under the target and that should hit the bull. Area aiming under the target and increasing trigger pressure as the six o'clock sight picture is approached should get you near the black. As your alignment, hold and trigger release improves, so will your scores. Providing any angular misalignment errors are minimised, shots will be more accurately placed. If the sights are not sharp, angular errors between front sight and rear sight notch won't be noticed and just thirty thousands of an inch multiplied by 25 yards will take you out of the black, let alone when added to your aiming and release errors.

If the target is much too blurred, try visiting an optician who understands pistol shooting and he should be able to find a prescription that will improve that situation. If you don't know a suitable optician, try J H Steward of Bisley (www.stewardsportsglasses.co.uk).

---

Related Articles