How to Sight Your Shots

Rifles and handguns are equipped with open sights. The combination of a front and rear sight is used to line up the rifle or handgun on the center of a target downrange. It is important to learn to properly line up the front and rear sight with each other as well as with the center of the target to successfully hit the target with accuracy.

Things You'll Need

  • Handgun or rifle with open sights
  • Paper target
  • Shooting range
  • Ammunition
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Attach a paper target to a target stand on a shooting range. Put on hearing and eye protection and move to the firing line. Hold a handgun or rifle so it is properly supported with both hands.

    • 2

      Raise the rifle or handgun and aim the muzzle of the barrel toward the target downrange. Position the gun so that the front sight is visible through the open rear sight.

    • 3

      Move the muzzle of the gun so that the front sight blade is centered in the open rear sight. Position the gun so there is an equal amount of light showing on either side of the blade sight through the rear sight window. Continue to adjust the position of the gun muzzle so that the top of the front blade sight is level with the top of the rear open sight. Maintain the center position of the front blade in the rear sight window.

    • 4

      Adjust the position of the gun to place the top of the front sight on the horizontal center line of the bull's-eye. Adjust the position of the front and rear sight again if necessary so that the top of the front blade is level and even with the open rear sight.

    • 5

      Move the gun left or right as needed so that the front blade is centered vertically inside the bull's-eye. Hold your breath and squeeze the trigger to fire a round downrange at the target bull's-eye.