Peep Sight Basics

In shooting, a peep sight is one mechanism a shooter uses to aim at his target. They are also known as "iron sights" and "ghost sights." These sights require greater skill on the part of the shooter, and those competing in international shooting competitions must use them instead of telescopic sights.

  1. Aiming Peep Sight

    • The peep sight consists of two sights: a metal tab at the front of the gun, and either an indented block or metal ring at the back of the gun. You aim a peep sight by aligning the front metal tab with the target you are trying to hit, then bringing that metal tab into alignment with the rear block or ring. When looking down the peep sight, the eye will center itself in the rear sight, making it appear as a hazy image around the front sight.

    Types

    • Peep sights all have a metal tab on the front of the gun as a front sight, then one of two types of rear sights. The most common, and required by shooting competitions, is the "partridge" type. These consists of a solid blade of metal with a shape, either a rectangle or a half circle, cut out of the middle on the upper part of the sight. This allows the shooter to see the front sight and align it in the center of the rear sight. The other kind uses a metal ring for the rear sight. This type of sight is sometimes called a "ghost ring."

    Advantages

    • Peep sights offer shooters a number of advantages. For one, they can be used in situations with lower light than other types of sights. These make them ideal for hunting, especially from under covers. The mechanical design also allows the shooter to make accurate and replicable adjustments to the sights for wind and distance.