This is a project I've poked at over the past few years, and recently did some more work on. I like shooting handguns at longer distances, such as 50 and 100 yards. But I wanted some kind of more systematic approach than doing simple holdovers.

So I made some simple modifications to a new set of Heinie basic iron sights. I dial in the range simply by aligning the "range bar" on the front sight with the appropriate bar painted on the rear sight. POI is at the top edge of the "aim bar":


Ranging Sights-15 by kpkina, on Flickr

Here's what the sight picture looks like for a 50-yard shot:


Ranging Sights-50 by kpkina, on Flickr

Here's the set-up on my P229R:


Ranging Sights - 2 by kpkina, on Flickr

And if you're wondering why have an aim bar at all, it's not actually part of the ranging system per se, but the bars are applied with phosphorescent paint, so the sights can be used in the dark:


Ranging Sights - 2 by kpkina, on Flickr

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,

Years ago I read that Elmer Keith had inserted gold bars in the front sight of one (or more) of his pistols to do that. Here's a picture alleged to be one of his...

Neat. Couldn't tell what I was looking at from the drawn pictures, but once I saw the sights in conjunction it made sense.

Great idea!

Filling every other line might make it easier.

^Working on a new design as I type.

OK, new design with the ranging scale on the front sight instead of the rear. Greatly simplifies the system, making it easier to use:


H0 by kpkina, on Flickr

H2 is a 50-yard shot with a NATO round (different cartridges range differently):


H2 by kpkina, on Flickr

And here's my Sig wearing the new sights:


RS-229 - 1 by kpkina, on Flickr


RS-229 - 2 by kpkina, on Flickr

With the Sig set up, it was time to move to the wheelgun. Taurus (I know...) Model 605.

The .357 was easy- such a fast, flat-shooting bullet that no holdover was even necessary out to 100 yards.

The .38 Special +P needed only a notch of holdover to put it on target. Otherwise it was pretty flat-shooting as well.

The 100 yard target center is shown below...


M605 100 Yards - 1 by kpkina, on Flickr